SATURDAY MAGAZINE 69WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
THIS WEEK...
Words by: Richard Webber & Kirsten Jones Pictures: Getty Images; Shutterstock
asked if I’d marry them.
I even had soldiers
requesting suspender
belts and stockings.
‘After playing the same
character for so long, I
thought it might be difficult
finding other work, but as
soon as ’Allo ’Allo! finished in the early
Nineties, I went straight into theatre.
‘I also set up my own business, Trading
Faces, in 1991, providing after-dinner speakers
and celebrities for personal appearances. Just
in case I found myself being typecast,
I felt I needed another string to my
bow to help pay the mortgage.
‘The last TV work I did
was a reality show, Costa Del
Celebrity, last year for Channel 5.
Ainsley Harriott, Anne Diamond,
Nick Owen, Christine Hamilton
and myself were holed up together
in a Costa Blanca villa. It was great
fun and we got on so well.
‘I still watch ’Allo ’Allo! whenever I can.
The show makes me laugh and brings back
wonderful memories.‘I keep in touch with other members of the
cast. We became like a family so it’s enjoyable
when we meet up. It’s the sitcom’s 35th
anniversary this year so we’re unveiling
a blue plaque at Lynford Hall, near Thetford,
Norfolk, where much of the series was filmed.
‘It’s a show that continues to be repeated
regularly around the world and people still tell
me how much it makes them laugh. Recently,
I’ve been touring in the theatre production
Hormonal Housewives, and so many of the
cast have told me they adored the sitcom.
Some were only kids when it was transmitted,
yet still watch it. It’s a lovely feeling knowing
you’ve helped make people happy.’Must see
Fast cars and fiery action
are back on the big screen.
Fast & Furious: Hobbs
& Shaw (12A) sees two
sworn enemies team up
for the greater good to take
down the ultimate bad guy. With Dwayne Johnson
and Jason Statham, the action epic is in cinemas now.Must do
Smash-hit
musical Blood
Brothers is back
to tell the tale
of twin boys
separated at
birth and reunited with devastating
consequences. The dramatic tale is
on a UK tour until 23 November. For
more, visit bloodbrothersmusical.com.Vicki as Yvette
with Gorden
Kaye as René
in ’Allo ’Allo!Must read
In Looker (£8.99,
Tinder Press), an
unhappily childless and
recently separated
woman becomes
fixated on a movie
star and her perfect
family, who live in the house next door.
Taut and chilling, Laura Sims’ debut
novel is out now.A
ctress Vicki is best known for
playing Yvette, the waitress in
hit sitcom ’Allo ’Allo!. Between
1982 and 1992 85 episodes of
the popular wartime-based show were
screened around the world.
Nowadays, Vicki, 68, remains busy in
the industry, hosting her own radio show
and running a business representing
after-dinner and motivational speakers.
She lives near Epping, Essex, with her
husband, Graham, and their actress
daughter, Louise.‘Before I became known for comedy, I’d
played leading straight roles in programmes
like Softly Softly, The Professionals, Minder
and Play For Today. But it was ’Allo ’Allo!
which brought me into the public eye and
I’m grateful to have been part of it.
‘At the audition for ’Allo ’Allo!, I read for the
parts of Yvette and Michelle – the part Kirsten
Cooke played. The producer, David Croft,
seemed happy with me but it was months
before I heard I’d got the part of Yvette.
‘The show’s success started slowly and it
wasn’t until the BBC repeated the first series
that it took off. We also did a successful
stage version, spending two seasons
in the West End and touring such
wonderful places as Australia
and New Zealand, where we
smashed box office records. The
theatres were packed and people
were even standing in the aisles- it was unbelievable.
‘Playing Yvette generated lots of
fan mail, which I’m still getting thanks to
recent repeats. I received a couple of dodgy
letters but most were lovely. Some people
wanted to take me out for a meal while others
t
s‘The show
still makes me
laugh and brings
back wonderful
memories’Vicki Michelle
For more information on Vicki, visit her website
vickimichelle.co.uk. Her Sunday radio show Vicki
Michelle’s Music Mix is broadcast on Phoenix98fm.
Go to phoenixfm.com for details.