Fran and Anna
Encyclopedia
Frances Watt, BEM
(16 March 1922 – 14 October 2003) and Anna Watt, BEM
(1924 – 19 February 2009) were two Scottish sisters from Coatbridge
, Glasgow
, who formed a singing duo. They came from a show-biz family, and were child performers touring Lanarkshire
clubs from an early age. They initially joined their sister Lily, a pianist, on stage as puppeteers. This was to be the beginning of their career in show-business, a career that would last them almost seven decades. Lily became their manager, and continued until her death in 1998.
Their father was David Watt, a ventriloquist and children's entertainer who went by the stage name "Valentine Prince". He came from a family of musicians. Fran & Anna Came from a family of five siblings, all of whom never married and shared a house in Coatbridge. They performed as "The Prince Sisters" internationally in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining an international following on the cruise ship circuit. It wasn't until the early 70s when they changed their name to "Fran and Anna" that they had any real success in their native Scotland. They appeared regularly on the Scottish Television
programme Thingummyjig, and also appeared with Terry Wogan
on his show in the 80s. Upon hearing of Fran's death Terry Wogan
said: "Fran and Anna made a great impact on the Wogan show when they appeared in the 80s, having already established themselves in Scotland. They were a great success and even to this day people ask me about them.It is with great sadness that I hear that Fran has passed away. My sympathies go out to Anna, her family and friends."
They were both awarded the British Empire Medal
in 1989 for services in light entertainment.
Fran and Anna were known for their tartan
mini skirts, rouged cheeks and fish net stockings. Perhaps the look they were most famous for was jabot
fronted tartan mini dresses, with matching tartan hats, each decorated with a large feather. Their style is often referred to as "tartan
kitsch
" They are reported to have worn their trademark style daily.
Showbiz friend Johnny Beattie
said "Despite all the years working beside them, I never ever saw either one without full make-up and costume, even when they weren't working. They came to the theatre like that and went away like that. In fact, I think they even went to bed like that."
Fran and Anna performed countless times at the Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow)
giving their last ever performance their in 2002.
Fran died of pneumonia in 2003, upon her death Anna said "I don't understand it. Fran hadn't been ill at all really before this. I'm just stunned. It just won't be the same... I don't know if I'll work alone, I don't know what I'm going to do."
Anna died of natural causes at St Andrews Hospice in her hometown, six years after her sister Fran died.
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
(16 March 1922 – 14 October 2003) and Anna Watt, BEM
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
(1924 – 19 February 2009) were two Scottish sisters from Coatbridge
Coatbridge
Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, about east of Glasgow city centre, set in the central Lowlands. The town, with neighbouring Airdrie, is part of the Greater Glasgow urban area. The first settlement of the area stretches back to the Stone Age era...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, who formed a singing duo. They came from a show-biz family, and were child performers touring Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
clubs from an early age. They initially joined their sister Lily, a pianist, on stage as puppeteers. This was to be the beginning of their career in show-business, a career that would last them almost seven decades. Lily became their manager, and continued until her death in 1998.
Their father was David Watt, a ventriloquist and children's entertainer who went by the stage name "Valentine Prince". He came from a family of musicians. Fran & Anna Came from a family of five siblings, all of whom never married and shared a house in Coatbridge. They performed as "The Prince Sisters" internationally in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining an international following on the cruise ship circuit. It wasn't until the early 70s when they changed their name to "Fran and Anna" that they had any real success in their native Scotland. They appeared regularly on the Scottish Television
Scottish Television
Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...
programme Thingummyjig, and also appeared with Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
on his show in the 80s. Upon hearing of Fran's death Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
said: "Fran and Anna made a great impact on the Wogan show when they appeared in the 80s, having already established themselves in Scotland. They were a great success and even to this day people ask me about them.It is with great sadness that I hear that Fran has passed away. My sympathies go out to Anna, her family and friends."
They were both awarded the British Empire Medal
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
in 1989 for services in light entertainment.
Fran and Anna were known for their tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
mini skirts, rouged cheeks and fish net stockings. Perhaps the look they were most famous for was jabot
Jabot (neckwear)
Jabot |bird's crop]]); alternatively a bird's croup or craw. Originally the term jabot referred to the frilling or ruffles decorating the front of a shirt...
fronted tartan mini dresses, with matching tartan hats, each decorated with a large feather. Their style is often referred to as "tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
" They are reported to have worn their trademark style daily.
Showbiz friend Johnny Beattie
Johnny Beattie
Johnny Beattie MBE is a Scottish actor and comedian.He began his career in the music hall and variety show tradition, similar to Scottish figures such as Rikki Fulton, Jack Milroy and Stanley Baxter, all of whom knew each other and were of a similar age to each other.He has appeared in television...
said "Despite all the years working beside them, I never ever saw either one without full make-up and costume, even when they weren't working. They came to the theatre like that and went away like that. In fact, I think they even went to bed like that."
Fran and Anna performed countless times at the Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow)
Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow)
-History:One of Glasgow's oldest theatres, the Pavilion Theatre of Varieties opened on 29 February 1904 as a Music hall. The building has remained relatively unchanged in layout, although the sound and lighting systems have been updated over the years...
giving their last ever performance their in 2002.
Fran died of pneumonia in 2003, upon her death Anna said "I don't understand it. Fran hadn't been ill at all really before this. I'm just stunned. It just won't be the same... I don't know if I'll work alone, I don't know what I'm going to do."
Anna died of natural causes at St Andrews Hospice in her hometown, six years after her sister Fran died.