Madge Hindle
Encyclopedia
Madge Hindle is a British
actress, best known for her roles on television series.
Madge's big break came when her good friend, British playwright Alan Bennett
, asked her to appear in his 1966 BBC comedy series On the Margin
.
From 1968 to 1973, she played the role of Lily Tattersall on the series Nearest and Dearest
. When the series' director, Bill Podmore
, took over as producer of Coronation Street
, he thought of her when he created the role of the feisty young shopkeeper, Renee Bradshaw.
Madge's character was married off to the character Alf Roberts
(played by Bryan Mosley
), ostensibly so he could serve with her in the shop. However, in 1980, Madge was told she was to be 'killed off'. Renee was killed when her car was struck by a lorry. Madge remains philosophical about her 'death' in Coronation Street, saying that if they had to write her out, at least they killed her, which meant she would never be tempted to return, thus risking typecasting.
She has appeared in two of Alan Bennett
's television plays: Sunset Across the Bay and Intensive Care. She still counts Alan Bennett as a friend, as was the late Russell Harty
. She also played the governor's secretary Mrs Hesketh in BBC sitcom Porridge
. She co-starred with Ronnie Barker
in a second role in the Two Ronnies' almost-silent TV movie By The Sea
as The Companion.
In addition to being an actress, she was Mayoress of Blackburn to her mother's Mayor. Her daughter, Charlotte Hindle, rose to prominence in the 1980s as a presenter on the Saturday morning children's show Get Fresh
.
Most recently, Madge has played alongside Gwen Taylor
on the 1990s television series Barbara.
She is also the Honorary Vice-President of Blackburn Arts Club, an amateur dramatic society. Madge, along with her husband Michael, appeared in many productions for Blackburn Arts Club during the 1960s.
She now lives with her husband Michael in a converted farm house that she originally brought with good friend Russell Harty
. The house is near to the market town of Settle
in North Yorkshire.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
actress, best known for her roles on television series.
Madge's big break came when her good friend, British playwright Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a British playwright, screenwriter, actor and author. Born in Leeds, he attended Oxford University where he studied history and performed with The Oxford Revue. He stayed to teach and research mediaeval history at the university for several years...
, asked her to appear in his 1966 BBC comedy series On the Margin
On the Margin
On the Margin was a British satirical comedy sketch show written and performed by Alan Bennett and a regular cast including John Sergeant, Virginia Stride, Madge Hindle and Yvonne Gilan. Guest performers included John Fortune and Jonathan Miller...
.
From 1968 to 1973, she played the role of Lily Tattersall on the series Nearest and Dearest
Nearest and Dearest
Nearest and Dearest is a British television sitcom that ran from 1968 to 1973. A total of 46 episodes were made, 18 in monochrome and 28 in colour...
. When the series' director, Bill Podmore
Bill Podmore
Edgar William "Bill" Podmore was a British television producer. Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, he was best known for his long association with the soap opera Coronation Street, a series he produced for twelve years...
, took over as producer of Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, he thought of her when he created the role of the feisty young shopkeeper, Renee Bradshaw.
Madge's character was married off to the character Alf Roberts
Alf Roberts
Alfred Sidney "Alf" Roberts was a fictional character in the British ITV soap Coronation Street. He ran a grocery shop at No. 15 and was heavily involved in local politics, including two spells as mayor of Weatherfield...
(played by Bryan Mosley
Bryan Mosley
Bryan Mosley OBE was a British actor, known best as grocer Alf Roberts in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.- Early life :...
), ostensibly so he could serve with her in the shop. However, in 1980, Madge was told she was to be 'killed off'. Renee was killed when her car was struck by a lorry. Madge remains philosophical about her 'death' in Coronation Street, saying that if they had to write her out, at least they killed her, which meant she would never be tempted to return, thus risking typecasting.
She has appeared in two of Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a British playwright, screenwriter, actor and author. Born in Leeds, he attended Oxford University where he studied history and performed with The Oxford Revue. He stayed to teach and research mediaeval history at the university for several years...
's television plays: Sunset Across the Bay and Intensive Care. She still counts Alan Bennett as a friend, as was the late Russell Harty
Russell Harty
Russell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
. She also played the governor's secretary Mrs Hesketh in BBC sitcom Porridge
Porridge (TV series)
Porridge is a British situation comedy broadcast on BBC1 from 1974 to 1977, running for three series, two Christmas specials and a feature film. Written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, it stars Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale as two inmates at the fictional HMP Slade in Cumberland...
. She co-starred with Ronnie Barker
Ronnie Barker
Ronald William George "Ronnie" Barker, OBE was a British actor, comedian, writer, critic, broadcaster and businessman...
in a second role in the Two Ronnies' almost-silent TV movie By The Sea
By the Sea
By the Sea , is a 1982 BBC film starring The Two Ronnies, and written by Ronnie Barker under the pseudonyms "Dave Huggett and Larry Keith".-Introduction:...
as The Companion.
In addition to being an actress, she was Mayoress of Blackburn to her mother's Mayor. Her daughter, Charlotte Hindle, rose to prominence in the 1980s as a presenter on the Saturday morning children's show Get Fresh
Get Fresh
Get Fresh was a children's television programme that ran from 1986 to 1988 in the United Kingdom.-Premise:Broadcast on the Children's ITV network, the show starred Gareth Jones , Charlotte Hindle, and a puppet named Gilbert the Alien...
.
Most recently, Madge has played alongside Gwen Taylor
Gwen Taylor
Gwen Taylor is an actress who has appeared in many British television programmes, including Z-Cars, Murder Most Horrid, Yes, Prime Minister, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and Belonging...
on the 1990s television series Barbara.
She is also the Honorary Vice-President of Blackburn Arts Club, an amateur dramatic society. Madge, along with her husband Michael, appeared in many productions for Blackburn Arts Club during the 1960s.
She now lives with her husband Michael in a converted farm house that she originally brought with good friend Russell Harty
Russell Harty
Russell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
. The house is near to the market town of Settle
Settle
Settle is a small market town and civil parish within the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. It is served by the Settle railway station, which is located near the town centre, and Giggleswick railway station which is a mile away. It is from Leeds Bradford Airport...
in North Yorkshire.