Pauline Collins dies aged 85: Shirley Valentine star passes away ‘peacefully’ after battle with Parkinson’s disease

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Pauline Collins, best known for playing Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85 after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

The actress died peacefully at her London care home, with her family by her side. She had been living with the illness for several years, her family shared.

Pauline’s family shared a statement on Sunday, which became public on Thursday evening, describing her as someone who meant different things to different people and lived a full and varied life.

She was a vibrant and clever performer, captivating audiences on stage and screen. Throughout her successful career, she portrayed a diverse range of characters, including powerful politicians, relatable mothers, and regal queens.

She’ll forever be known for her unforgettable portrayal of Shirley Valentine – a character she brought to life with strength, wisdom, and a vibrant spirit, truly making the role her own.

‘We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them.

Above all, she was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, and wise, always there for her family. She and John shared a beautiful life together – as partners, coworkers, and husband and wife for 56 years.

We’re especially grateful to her caregivers, who were truly angels, providing her with dignity, compassion, and above all, love. She passed away peacefully, thanks to their wonderful care.

We ask that you remember her as vibrant and full of life, and please respect our need for privacy as we grieve her loss.

Pauline was married to actor John Alderton, who is 84 years old. They often worked together, appearing in performances on stage and in television and film.

This acting duo was famous in Britain, best known for their roles together in the popular TV series Upstairs, Downstairs and Thomas and Sarah.

They had three children – Nicholas, Kate and Richard.

Pauline grew up in Devon and Wallasey, Cheshire. After a short time teaching, she pursued formal training at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Looking back at my career, I really got my start on British television with a fun sitcom called The Liver Birds. But it was landing the role of Shirley Valentine that truly changed everything – that’s when people all over the world started to know my work, and it opened so many doors for me!

The movie, released in 1989 and based on a play by Willy Russell, earned the lead actress an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe award for her comedic performance.

The movie tells the story of a woman from Liverpool who finds herself again while traveling in Greece. Her performance in the film became iconic and is remembered as one of the most important in British cinema of the 1980s.

Throughout her long career, Pauline also appeared in several popular shows, including “No Sex Please, We’re British,” “Wodehouse Playhouse,” “Forever Green,” and “The Time of Their Lives.”

Her stage work spanned decades, with roles in London’s West End and regional theatre productions.

She continued to act throughout her life, with roles in films and TV shows like Albert Nobbs, The Royal Family, and The Last Detective.

Pauline is survived by her husband John, their children and grandchildren.

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2025-11-06 21:19