Natural within Hull, Yorkshire, she trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She is celebrated for her roles in stage and television, particularly for her roles as Joyce Grenfell in her biographical play, & when "Beattie" (a character she known as herself from either the initials BT) around an extended-heading series of television commercial message for British Telecom (BT).

She married dramatist Jack Rosenthal in 1974, and has got the total of roles around his works.

She was awarded a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award or even Right Comedy Performance within 1985 (1984 year) for Look at How else It Start.

Her indicate, Survive & Kidding performed at the Duchess Theatre, was nominative for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Right Entertainment of the 1997 year.

She was awarded a C.B.E. (Commander of the British Empire) inside 1999.

Within 2003 she wwhen nominated as Better Supporting Actress for The Pianist (2002)'' , at The Polish Film Awards.