Doreen Mantle, the iconic actress from ‘One Foot In The Grave,’ has taken her final bow at 97. The telly favourite, famed for her role as Jean Warboys – Victor Meldrew’s wife’s friend, passed away peacefully at her family crib. From 1990 to 2000, this South African-born Brit star added some great scenes in the popular programme.
“Gutted to announce the death of our beloved Doreen,” said her spokesperson, “The stage and screen queen lived 97 fab years and has left behind a telly legacy.”
She wasn’t just Mrs. Warboys. Remember her from ‘Corrie’? Or from top hits like ‘Holby City’ and ‘The Bill’? She’s been a familiar face on the box for several years. Before heading to that great TV studio in the sky, she reprised Jean for a ‘One Foot In The Grave’ anniversary special. She also did several stints on the Beeb’s ‘Doctors’, making various appearances from 2001 to 2019.
On the cobbles of ‘Coronation Street’, she starred as Joy Fishwick for a handful of episodes, getting tangled in an identity fraud saga. A storyline that was loved by the soap’s fans.
Away from our living rooms, she graced the big screen too. She starred with Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank in the 2017 flick ’55 Steps’ and also made an appearance in Barbra Streisand’s ‘Yentl’ (1983).
But Doreen wasn’t just a telly star; she was a theatre superstar! She bagged herself an Olivier Award in 1979 for ‘Death of a Salesman’. From ‘Billy Liar’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre to her one-woman gig, she’s done several live performances.
Social media tributes have flooded in, mourning our British star. “Ta-ra, Mrs. Warboys. Cheers for the giggles, Doreen! Rest up,” tweeted one fan. “If Doreen was in it, you knew it was a belter. RIP to a telly titan,” wrote another. Yet another added, “Gutted. Mrs Warboys? Legendary. Sleep tight, Doreen.”