Crossroads, later known as Crossroads Motel and Crossroads King's Oak, was an ITV soap opera that ran from 1964-1988, and was revived from 2001-2003. However, Valerie showed a softer side when she provided support to Miranda after her daughters rape ordeal. But the actress, who had been battling cancer since 1982, died on April 14 that year, before she could make her return. The famous tart with a heart was played by Zephyrine Frances Zeph Gladstone and her character was a big hit with fans. Menu Movies Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight TV Shows [5][6] Her acting career came to a halt in 1955, when she joined Associated Television in London, where she presented their first-ever programme, The Weekend Show. Alfred and Arthur Heineman proposed a chain of motor hotels, with the first on the side of the highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Something went wrong, please try again later. After attending convent school in Ilford, she was taught to dance by Maude Wells and later spent several years living in Southend-on-Sea. After the termination of her Crossroads contract, Gordon starred in the musical Gypsy at Leicester's Haymarket Theatre, followed by a revival of Irving Berlin's musical Call Me Madam, touring the Midlands. He died on 26 February 1981 in London, England, UK. In 1981, four years after The Navy Lark ended, Chasen appeared in Crossroads for the first time, in the role of a newspaper reporter for just one episode. The plan was for Amy to be arrested for being a Soviet double agent, Amelia Turtleovski, but sadly it never appeared on screen. The actor was previously married to Margery Field and he died on July 2, 1985 in London. Sue was seen by a skin cancer specialist who diagnosed her with malignant melanoma, and the mole was removed. Dont snigger but lovable Crossroads legend Angus Lennie, who played cheeky chef Shughie McFee, had previously starred opposite Hollywood legend Steve McQueen in iconic war movie The Great Escape. By fate or economy the stories vary it became the first to squeeze the words motor hotel into motel. Crossroads was a much-loved soap which spanned decades and underwent a revival until its end in 2003, but what did the cast members do next? She played Antonia in A Severed Head, JB Priestleys adaptation of the Iris Murdoch novel (Criterion, 1963-64), a production that transferred to Broadway (Royale, 1964). Gordon's father (from Scotland) was an engineer in the Merchant Navy and she was born in East Ham, East London (now part of the London Borough of Newham). Sue Lloyd - Wikipedia Crossroads, EastEnders actress Heather Chasen dies, aged 92 Gordon was the only member of the Crossroads cast who had a permanent contract;[11] all other cast members were booked on an ad hoc basis. She is patron of the Crossroads Appreciation Society, a fan club for the show. She died in August 1976 in Seychelles. {PPInfiniteScroll.addLazyLoadingAds()}; BrainSharper is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. Emmerdale double exit as Sarah Sugden dies after exposing lie, Sarah Lancashire spoke up to change Happy Valley ending, Crossroads: Paul Henry, Noele Gordon and Susan Hanson, Helena Bonham Carter admits to having 'imposter syndrome' in Nolly, Crossroads: Jane Rossington and Edward Clayton, Crossroads: Noele Gordon with the original cast, Coronation Street gunman attack leaves family fearing for their lives, Helena Bonham Carter believes Noele Gordon was axed by 'ageist bosses', Helena Bonham Carter 'wasn't sexual' enough in early career struggle, Helena Bonham Carter transforms into Crossroads' Nolly, Helena Bonham Carter unrecognisable in red wig as Crossroads star, Cross words on Helena playing ITV soap queen Noele in drama, Bradley Walsh in tears during emotional talk with son Barney. In 1953, she toured as Mrs Sally Adams in Call Me Madam after Billie Adams had played the role in the London season at the Coliseum. Updated 19:09, 23 OCT 2012. Where are the original Crossroads cast now? | TV & Radio - Express Roger Tonge was born on 30 January 1946 in Birmingham, England, UK. He was also in the film Catch Me Going Back. He attended the citys Alderlea Boys School in Shard End with Jeff Lynne and later trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama before spending time with Birmingham Rep and then in Crossroads. In real life, after a short-lived marriage to BBC Radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance in the 1960s, Hanson married former Move frontman Carl Wayne in 1974, who lost a battle against cancer in 2004. 'Crossroads' TV Series. [1] Early life In 2011, Chasen returned to soap to take over the role of Lydia Simmonds, Janine Butchers grandmother, in EastEnders for a short stint when Margaret Tyzack had to pull out. The former Coronation Street actor Amanda Barrie, who had a 10-year relationship with Chasen after appearing on stage with her in 1980, recalled her loose grasp on reality. Judy Cornwell, one of only a handful of other women in the show over its entire history, was in awe of them at first but told the author Richard Webber: Heather showed me how to push the men out of the way, because they would grab the microphones and not let us in, so we had to kick them in the shins and get to the microphones that way.. What's the connection between an American named Alfred Heineman and the late soap queen Noele Gordon? With adept changes of voice, Chasens roles included Ramona Povey, the wife of Richard Caldicots commander; Miss Simpkins, assistant to the Sea Lord; and Wren Chasen, alongside Leslie Phillips and Jon Pertwee as, respectively, the sub-lieutenant and chief petty officer perpetually trying to get the vessel out of the trouble they had personally created. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Henry trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, which was followed by eight years at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Crossroads cast now: What happened to Noele Gordon and her co-stars in Margery Field played Hilda Duvene between 1964 and 1968 on the soap but she joined slightly later than the original cast. Kathy played Doris Luke from 1978-1984, and then from 2001-2002. [7], In 2003, he returned to acting on TV in an episode of the British medical soap opera Doctors. [1] He was working as an 8-a-week post office clerk and performing in amateur dramatics in the evenings when he landed the role of Sandy Richardson, the son of motel owner Meg (Noele Gordon) in the ATV soap opera Crossroads, which he would portray for 17 years. Ive got a full head of hair, I recently gave up smoking and hardly drink now. She continued her pop career after the show, before becoming a stage actress and appearing in pantomines. Bob Warman interview with the Crossroads producer Jack Barton who describes how Sandy's work schedule allowed him to spend . let advertisementDisclaimer = 'ADVERTISEMENT'; Crossroads cast now: What happened to Noele Gordon and her co-stars in the soap as Nolly airs on ITVX It follows the life of Noele Gordon, one of the nations most famous and beloved soap. He starred in 298 episodes of Crossroads before moving on to The Bill and Inspector Morse. [1] He is also known for roles in other television series such as Gangsters, The Onedin Line, The Day of the Triffids and Doctor Who. Crossroads was routinely assailed by TV critics for what they saw as its low quality, and Tonge was one of the members of the cast who was regularly criticised. His fans included British troops serving in the Falklands War in 1982, who nicknamed the Falkland Islanders Bennies after the character. Johnny Briggs (actor) - Wikipedia Roger Tonge (30 January 1946 26 February 1981) was a British actor. or "Who starred on Crossroads?" Heather found fame playing Valerie Pollard on Crossroads (not Emmerdale) for four years from 1982. She would, however, not return to television full-time because of her theatre commitments. The character - whom Hargreaves described as a "Technicolor. Tonge's struggle with Hodgkin's Disease impacted his role in the programme. Arguably the most successful actress to have starred in Crossroads, both old and new, the sky seems to be the limit for Freema Agyeman! Angus Wilson Lennie (18 April 1930 14 September 2014) was a Scottish film and theatre character actor with a 50-year career span. Crossroads also turned Noele Gordon into a gay icon.[3][10]. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He is currently recovering from prostate cancer treatment, and he praised the NHS staff as "angels" for their care in a 2019 news report. Elisabeth Croft who played Miss Tatum in Crossroads. The British actress is now 79 years old. 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Throughout her life, she had relationships with both men and women sometimes at the same time. Following the accident, the character of Sandy was predominantly a wheelchair user, though he was able to stand and move upright with the aid of crutches. She stayed with the show for a national tour. The planned chain never worked out as other businessmen jumped on the bandwagon, offering cheaper rates. After the show ended for good, Jane appeared in an episode of children's TV show Dramarama , and had her own radio show on Beacon Radio. The Crossroads cast now: Hollyoaks stars, nightclub owners and murder He was married to actress Sue Lloyd, who played his onscreen wife, Barbara Hunter, before lung cancer claimed his life in 1991. [14], For many years in the 1960s and early 1970s, Gordon lived in a large white-washed country house in Weir End, near Ross-on-Wye, beside the A40 road to Monmouth. She became ill during the run and had to be replaced. Gordon's return as Meg was devised by the new producer, Phillip Bowman, who himself ended the involvement with the series of regulars Ronald Allen and Sue Lloyd. And little remains of the Crossroads Motel, where Noele Gordons character Meg Richardson ruled the roost in ITVs cheap television soap which attracted huge audiences as high as 15 million viewers in the 1970s and early 1980s. Knowing of her infidelity, J Henry cancelled her credit accounts and effectively grounded Valerie by finding a job for her behind the motels bar. and television presenter. ADVERTISEMENT Arguably the most successful actress to have starred in Crossroads, both old and new, the sky seems to be the limit for Freema Agyeman! has died, aged 84. let infinite_scroll_layout_settings = JSON.parse('{"layoutSettings":{"autoConsent":0,"introParagraphType":"Social_image","imagePosition":"","notClickableHeader":1,"additionalPost":1,"vidazooPixelStartPage":0},"topAd":{"position":"Before","element":" figure","startsFrom":2},"video":{"provider":"Vidazoo","startsFrom":3}}'); The actor from Sparkhill . [citation needed]. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He scored 215 and raised 215 for charity. Gavin and Stacey actress Margaret John has died at the age of 84, it has been announced. [11], In October 2017, Henry appeared on Pointless Celebrities alongside Shaun Williamson. Janet Hargreaves obituary | Television | The Guardian Nolly has arrived on ITVX and the biographical drama stars the award-winning Helena Bonham Carter as Noele Gordon. Charles Stapley obituary | Soap opera | The Guardian Death In 1981, after a long fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Tonge died age 35. The actress made a brief return to the soap in 1983 and went on to star in the musical Gypsy. She worked behind the scenes as Head of Lifestyle programmes. Melanie Harper, played by Cleo Sylvestre, arrived at the motel in 1970 as Megs foster daughter itself a taboo issue. Tony Adams played womanising accountant, Adam Chance in Crossroads for 10 years. He died at the age of 84 in September 2014. He also appeared as a bagpipe-playing innkeeper during several appearances in Dr Who and also featured in Keeping Up Appearances and Monarch of the Glen. He sneaked into the studios and charged at me with a knife, he said. Bless This Houses Robin Stewart. Actor best known for her roles in Crossroads and The Navy Lark. Crossroads actor Angus Lennie - Shughie McFee - dies She made her first public appearance at the East Ham Palace and shortly afterwards, sang "Dear Little Jammy Face" at a restaurant in London. Prior to the 'accident' storyline, Tonge had for many months only been seen in seated scenes, standing rigid or lying in bed. Comedian Ronnie Barker later in his life revealed that he had suggested Henry should be cast as the character Lennie Godber opposite him in the sitcom Porridge, but the actor Richard Beckinsale was chosen instead by the television producer. The character caught on. Chasen spent a year (1958-59) in the role of Mollie Ralston in the Agatha Christie whodunnit The Mousetrap (Ambassadors theatre, London) and many West End roles followed. The actor who played Sandy from the very first episode of Crossroads, died on 26th February 1981. Anthony works in sales, while Jake, our grandson, has finished his A levels and Jade, our granddaughter, has just left university with an English degree. In late 2004, he appeared in the stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, where he played Grandpa Potts. Roger Tonge. In 1985, Matheson's successor Ted Childs ordered Crossroads to be revamped; one element in the updating of the show was its renaming as Crossroads Motel. Charging charged $1.25 per room per night, it was luxurious for its time, comprising a number of small bungalows with private garages. Jane Rossington was part of the cast from day one and she played Jill Richardson in the soap. [1] She played the role of Meg Mortimer (originally Richardson, later Ryder) in the long-running British soap opera Crossroads from 1964 to 1981, with a brief return in 1983. Benny was last seen putting up a fairy on a Christmas tree in 1987 and the series ended a year later. Instructed to stop using the name, the troops came up with Stills for locals because they were still Bennies. A former fashion model, Valerie was used to the finer things in life, spending her husbands money, devouring Tom Collins cocktails and men. And it started the trend for overnight stops for motorists in individual accommodation. She went on to have various TV roles before the one she is now most famous for - Audrey Roberts in Corrie, which she started in 1979 and still plays now. Since then he has run his own business and recently played Tony Hancock on stage. Where are the original Crossroads cast now? Chasen also had an elegance and grand air about her that endeared her to friends, and she was often seen with a glass of champagne in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Original star Tony played Adam Chanced from 1978 until he was killed off in a fire during the reprisal. Cast of Crossroads L-R Meg Mortimer (Noele Gordon) David Hunter (Ronald Allen) Jill (Jane Rossington) Sandy (Roger Tonge) and Benny (Paul Henry). He had caught chicken pox and died of heart failure, his system unable to cope with the infection. In 1981, after a long fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Tonge died age 35. Born in 1930, Angus spent his early years in Glasgow, attending Eastbank Academy in the city. 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