Tributes Paid To Fenella Fielding

Star of film and stage was a long time resident of Chiswick

Fenella, pictured on her 90th birthday, on Acton Green

Tributes have been paid to the star of film and stage, Fenella Fielding, who died last week (11 September) aged 90. She was a resident of Chiswick for nearly forty years.

Fenella, who turned 90 in November 2017, was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for Services to Drama and Charity and had a career that spanned over seventy years.

Fenella Fielding was best known for her film appearances in Carry On Screaming (1966), Doctor in Clover (1966) and Carry On Regardless (1961). Famous for her deep, husky voice, she had appeared on stage and screen professionally since her early twenties.

Her stage credits include the title roles in Hedda Gabler (1969) and Colette (1970). She is also fondly remembered for a number of appearances on the Morecambe & Wise Show (1969-1972) as well as playing The Vixen in Uncle Jack (early 1990s). Her most recent TV appearance was Skins (2012).

In 2017, she published her memoir (co-written with Simon Mc Kay) 'Do You Mind If I Smoke?'- the title is taken from one of her lines in Carry On Screaming in which she played vamp Valeria.

Pictured with her friend and writing collaborator Simon McKay in 2017

Simon McKay offers a personal tribute on a great friend; Fenella was a fantastic friend. I saw her most days, yet each time she seemed so pleased to see me as if I’d just returned from some far flung land. With her, the most mundane everyday things were fun. We laughed a lot. She was bright, caring, mischievous; joyful. She had a huge appetite for tasty food (especially Fouberts ice cream) matched only by her appetite for life. She was always interested in things around her. Lots of observations to make and questions to ask. Always a wonderful story to tell. We were in a restaurant in Covent Garden recently. She said, “I came here many years ago and there was a singer sitting over there who was very keen on me. Billy somebody… he had a quiff.” It was of course Billy Fury at the height of his early sixties fame. Not her type though.

"I was with Fenella at the very end. As I let go of her hand for the last time, I felt devastated. She leaves an incredible hole in my life, but a huge glowing warmth in my heart. What a wonderful fun and happy woman. I’m so glad for the seven and a half bulging years we had."

James Albrecht booked Fenella many times to perform Greek translations or memoir readings. He writes: "The day she died she was due to appear for me at Crazy Coqs. She was such a warm person with a unique presence and a remarkable story to tell. It was a privilege to be able to give her a platform and share some of her last performances - which no matter how fragile she was off stage, were never anything other than astonishing for their command of the stage, the text, the audience and a testament to her delicious sense of humour and intelligence.”

Russell Grant said;"The word ‘legend’ is used too liberally and without validity but Fenella is and was. We worked together on television and stage too numerous times to mention.".

An online book of condolences has been opened.

September 22, 2018