Su Pollard was born in 1949 in Nottingham. Her interest in acting began at the age of six when she played an angel in the school nativity play. At 16, she began singing in charity shows and at working men’s clubs while working as a secretary.

After an apprenticeship at the arts theatre in Nottingham, she made her TV debut on Opportunity Knocks. Theatre work including Godspell and Grease paved the way for Hi-de-hi! which became a TV hit in 1980. She has also appeared in the sitcoms You Rang M’Lord? and Oh, Dr Beeching! Pollard is single and lives in Islington. She can be seen in Annie: The Musical which opens at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln on September 8 and tours the country until the end of November.

YOU’RE HOSTING AN IMAGINARY DINNER PARTY AND CAN INVITE ANYONE IN THE WORLD, LIVING OR DEAD, TO YOUR HOUSE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY...

Q. WHO WOULD BE ON YOUR INVITATION LIST – AND WHY?

“I’d certainly have JFK because to me he was the epitome of a really attractive bloke. He’d have to sit opposite me because I couldn’t have anyone ugly in my eyeline. I could ask him all sorts of questions, such as what happened to Marilyn Monroe.

“I’d have Barbra Streisand because she epitomises everything that a good showbiz professional should be. She’s got the talent and dedication. I know she’s semi-retired but she gives value for money. I’d also have the group Mud on the table doing Tiger Feet and I’d be dancing with JFK.

“I’d invite Prince Charles because I really like him. I think people have got to realise that before Di came along he was always the clown prince anyway. He always used to interweave with the masses and I think people forget his contribution really. I’d also like Joan Rivers and Robbie Williams. A nice eclectic mix.

“I quite like Victor Lewis Smith. A lot of people think he’s very caustic and acerbic but that’s why I like him. Michael Winner – I love him and read his column every week. I’d also invite my dad, Donald. He knows so much about everything because he’s had such an experienced life.”

Q. WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE?

“It would be very simple. To start with I would have asparagus without the hollandaise, a few broad beans and a bit of lemon juice. Then I would have salmon fish cakes with a touch of chilli sauce and to go with that a salad of pine nuts and tomatoes.

“If they did want to have a pudding, I would offer them banoffee pie or death by chocolate or fresh fruit salad. Obviously a cheeseboard if required and copious amounts of really good wine. We’d have the best stuff, not because of the guests. It’s just courtesy to offer nice food and drink. Then I’d send them on their way with a party popper and a little gift. Maybe a tube of Smarties.”

Q. WHICH MUSIC WOULD YOU PLAY?

“I’d have to have some Streisand, Reload by Tom Jones and a bit of classical. Probably Bolero. I love all sorts of music. Apart from the finger in the ear folk stuff. For my dad I would have some New Orleans jazz.”

Q. WHO WOULD YOU HAVE AS THE LACKEY IN THE KITCHEN?

“Well I haven’t got a dishwasher because there’s only me and I can’t be bothered with loading it up. I would have one washer upper to one guest. So if there were eight guests I would have eight people washing up. People would say that’s ridiculous but one could wash, one could put away and so on but the whole process would only take an hour and you could finish off with a cup of tea if you fancied. Failing that, if I could get hold of bin Laden, I’d get him doing it. Or some really bossy city woman who is a high achiever – which is great, but at the same time it would bring them back down to Earth.”

Q. WHICH AFTER-DINNER JOKE WOULD YOU TELL?

“All mine are quite earthy. I quite like Bernard Manning so I’d ask him to tell one. I don’t care if he’s not PC. When you’ve grown up with certain kinds of humour you get an affection for it. People are rather too sensitive and I think we’ve been steered along that path by the do-gooders.”

Q. HOW WOULD THIS UNLIKELY EVENT COMPARE TO THE WAY YOU NORMALLY ENTERTAIN FRIENDS? 

“I think it would compare much more favourably. When I usually entertain, it’s outside at a restaurant because I’m not a very good cook. I can make salads but the main dish would have to be bought from Marks or something. I am very good at giving little outside things like picnics. I make very good dressings and what I call posh sandwiches with nice fillings inside. Most of my friends are happy to just bring a bottle over and have a chat.”

Newark Advertiser - Annie is back 
The musical Annie will tour the UK this autumn, beginning at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln, from Tuesday to Saturday.

Su Pollard - Peggy from the television comedy Hi-De-Hi - will star as the drunken Miss Hannigan. 

Mark Wynter, who has appeared in Cats and Phantom Of The Opera in the West End, is cast as Daddy Warbucks, and Louise English, who has starred in Bugsy Malone and Me And My Girl, will appear as Grace Farrell. 

The role of Annie will be shared by local girls Lucy Barker and Faye Spittlehouse. The other orphans are played by youngsters from the Theatre Royal School Of Performing Arts. 

The show tells the story of Annie, who is rescued from a New York orphanage when billionaire Oliver Warbucks decides to host an orphan for the Christmas season.

Annie is chosen, and he promises to help her find her parents. The show features all the classic songs, including Tomorrow, It's A Hard Knock Life, and You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile. 

The production is directed by Chris Colby, choreographed by David Kort and produced by Chris Moreno Ltd. 
 

Wolverhampton Express and Star - Stars are prepared for grand entrance
Su Pollard, who played chalet maid Peggy in the TV comedy Hi-De-Hi!, star as the mean-tempered Miss Hannigan in the rags-to-riches musical Annie, which runs at the Grand from Monday October 13 to Saturday 16. 

Set in 1930s America during the Great Depression, the show tells the story of an abandoned little girl who finds herself in the New York Municipal Orphanage where she dreams of being rescued. The musical, which features the songs It's A Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow, also stars former 60s singing star Mark Wynter as kindly Daddy Warbucks. Performances are at 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. 

Various theatre publications
The "sun will come out" when the delightful family musical ANNIE comes to town.

The rags-to-riches story of the world's best-loved orphan, ANNIE features all the memorable songs including "It's a Hard Knock Life", "Easy Street",  "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" and of course "Tomorrow". This production of ANNIE is sure to warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye.

Su Pollard takes great delight in terrorising the girls of the orphanage, as she leads the cast with a whole-hearted performance as Miss Hannigan. Su is best loved and remembered for her role as downtrodden chalet maid, Peggy Ollerenshaw in HI-DE-HI. Her extensive and varied career has seen her perform on stage, television and film, in addition to being a recording artist, performing in her own one woman show and much more! 

It may be the combination of memorable songs, delightful characters, and Annie's infectious optimism that makes this show so popular with audiences of all ages. Whatever the reason, ANNIE is still touching our hearts and imaginations.

ANNIE also stars Mark Wynter as Daddy Warbucks and Louise English as Grace Farrell. Mark began his career as a hit recording artist in the 1960s and then moved to the stage, appearing in CATS and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in London's West End and on several national and international tours. Louise has numerous film, television and stage credits including; BUGSY MALONE, THE HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS (with Vincent Price and Christopher Lee) and ME AND MY GIRL in London's West End.

Chris Moreno's production of ANNIE received critical acclaim during its 2002 UK tour:

"…a production worthy of any West End stage."  - The Stage Newspaper

"Ms Pollard is an extraordinary performer who manages to be both wicked and funny
and is a tremendous asset to the production."  - Teesside Evening Gazette

Ticket sales have been fantastic, with the first two weeks - at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln and Cliffs Pavilion in Southend - both selling out!

This looks set to continue as the production visits Jersey, Edinburgh, Wolverhampton, Grimsby, Billingham, Wimbledon, High Wycombe, and Cork (this venue without Su) over the coming months.

Of course, Su is relishing playing Miss Hannigan once again, the role she received much praise for during the musical's 2002 UK tour.

Annie is a heart-warming rags to riches story of an 11 year-old orphan who longs for her parents to rescue her from a New York orphanage and its mean tempered matron, Miss Hannigan (Su Pollard). Annie is offered the chance of a lifetime when billionaire businessman (with a heart of gold) Oliver Warbucks decides to adopt her, but not before Miss Hannigan and her brother Rooster scheme to kidnap Annie and claim the reward money. 

The classic musical features: 'Tomorrow', 'You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile', 'It's A Hard Knock Life' and more. 

"The sun doesn't come out tomorrow - it shines all over the stage" - The Stage

"A wonderful show that gives you a huge dose of the feel good factor" - Gloucestershire Echo

More information about the show and tour can be found at SuOnline's Annie section. Check back soon for further Annie updates and news.

• Annie stars Su Pollard as Miss Hannigan, best known as Peggy in Hi-De-Hi, but also a highly talented and versatile actress with numerous television and stage credits.

• Joining Su is Mark Wynter who began his career as a hit recording artist in the 1960s and then moved to the stage, appearing in Cats and Phantom of the Opera in London's West End.

• Also appearing is Louise English, star of film and stage including Bugsy Malone and Me And My Girl.

• Annie the musical was written by Thomas Meehan with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Chamin

Sorry for the mistake - Further information on this as it becomes available.

Thanks to Carolyn (at the BBC) and Michael (at The Su Pollard Shrine) for this information. Links, provided by Michael, to Ben's Obituary, and career info, can be found at Su's Shrine too.

"Wondrously wicked, effortlessly evil and furiously funny, Snow White promises to be the most lavish, magical family pantomime seen at The Hexagon for many years."

Snow White : Sat 6th Dec 2003 - Sun 4th Jan 2004 
Starring Su Pollard as the Wicked Queen and Christopher Lillicrap as Nurse Nora. Also featuring Bunny the Rabbit, and introducing Deborah Chapman as Snow White.

PRICES: £18, £16, £12 (CONCESSIONS: £16, £14, £12)
Free programme for everyone.

BOX OFFICE:  0118 960 6060 
GROUP BOOKINGS: 0118 939 0011

The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, Berkshire RG1 7UA
Email: boxoffice@readingarts.com
Fax: 0118 939 0751
Website: www.readingarts.com

You Rang, M'Lord? has long been a favourite of many of Su's fans, and she has a soft spot for the show too, so this is a very welcome release.

Some of you may recall we initiated a campaign a few months ago to try to persuade the Playback label, who issued the first Hi-De-Hi! set to do something similar with You Rang.

Further information and release date as soon as it is known.

Su says: "It's such a popular show and a great joy to perform. There's nothing better than taking a bow at the end from an audience who have really had an entertaining evening."

Annie tours the UK through until the end of November. Further updates on SuOnline in the coming months as the show visits a city near you! The 2003 tour dates etc., and much information from last year's outing can be found in SuOnline's dedicated Annie section.

Good luck to Su and the cast!

• The latest batch of Little Robots episodes have now been completed. Su, Lenny Henry, Martin Clunes, and Mel & Sue all feature. The series has been a great success and it seems likely that further episodes will be made. Transmission dates can be found here as soon as they are announced.

• Su may be appearing in The Vagina Monologues in 2004! She hopes to join the production for dates around June. More information as it becomes available.

• Su has now been fitted for her latest Wicked Queen outfit, in preparation for panto 2003.

Hi-De-Hi! is also currently being shown sporadically on UK Gold and UK Gold 2.

Any news or information on when these, highly anticipated, DVDs and videos will be available will, of course, be posted on SuOnline as soon as we have the details.

In the meantime, the first set is still available from the BBC at a special price. Please email Carolyn Bartholomew for further info on this great offer:

carolyn.bartholomew@bbc.co.uk 

SU POLLARD FOR PROFESSOR TRELAWNY
who's going to play Professor Trelawny in The Prisoner of Azkaban and beyond? The BBCi Newsround site has patched together ten names they think could take the part and is running a vote on it.

MISSING LEGEND
But the best candidate of all is missing. There's only one person who could stand at the front of that classroom, arranging spindly chairs, spraying perfume and making kooky predictions.

There seems to be a growing band of Harry Potter fans who would dearly love to see Su as this character. It seems unlikely that this will actually happen but the online polls and petitions have been interesting to follow!

Friday 15th August : Living TV : 6.00pm

Don't forget that UK Gold continue to reshow retro episodes of Hi-De-Hi! almost daily.

Each person can choose 10 shows, including a nomination for a show that isn't included in the list. Hi-De-Hi! is already in there, so please show your support and ensure the series is featured when the results of the vote are revealed early in 2004!

Simply click the picture to go to the BBC homepage - Thanks.

Su introduced herself thus: "I'm Su Pollard, and I'm a lean, mean, cleaning machine!"

This 1980's edition of The Weakest Link was a fun show, though there was a prize of £50,000 for charity, and  Su managed to stay in the game while Steve Nallon, Normski and Bob Carolgees (plus Spit) were voted off.

When it came time for Su to take the "walk of shame" she said; "I'm loving this verbal ping-pong with the Wicked Witch of the West! Fabulous!", sang a few bars of 'The Sound Of Music', showed off her outfit, and enquired if she still had the posterior that won her 'Rear Of The Year' back in 1988!

Post "walk of shame" Su commented; "It's supposed to be a lot of fun, which really it is. I was quite enjoying it. I think being on The Weakest Link must be worse than having a baby by the wrong man!"

Bravo! Su most cetainly isn't the weakest link!

Please click the picture for a page of Weakest Link screen captures in the Television section.

Further information can be found in SuOnline's dedicated Annie section.

Su has also promised you all an update via her, now almost legendary, 'Snippets'. Expect a new, bumper newsy filled, missive from the pen of Su very soon!