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Susan Georgina Pollard was born on 7th November 1949 in Nottingham, England. The eldest daughter to Don and Hilda Pollard - they were in shock for so long that it took them another seven years before they came up with a sister for Su, in the shape of the lovely Jean.

Su's interest in the stage began when at the age of six she played an angel in the school nativity play. Whilst standing on a box announcing the arrival of the Angel Gabriel, she fell through the lid. Everyone roared with laughter and she loved it from that moment. 

At sixteen she began singing in charity shows and at working men's clubs and pubs whilst working as a secretary and her claim to fame from that time was that she was the first woman to sing 'Ave Maria' in hotpants in a working men's club!

After an apprenticeship at the Arts Theatre in Nottingham Su made her television debut in 1974 on the enormously popular talent show hosted by Hughie Green, Opportunity Knocks, where her rendition of 'I'm Just A Girl Who Can't Say No' from Oklahoma saw her come second to a singing Jack Russell dog... 

Undeterred, she went on to play in the musicals The Desert Song and Rose Marie with John Hanson, starred in Cameron Mackintosh's West End production of Godspell, played opposite Jack Wild in Big Sin City at the Roundhouse, toured in the musical Grease in a company that also included Tracey Ullman, had them rocking in the aisles with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Hugh Paddick in the farce Not Now Darling, won a role in Andrew Sach's play Philately Will Get You Nowhere and appeared at the Mermaid Theatre in a celebration of the music of Cole Porter called Oh Mr. Porter.

Su's first comedy role was in a BBC series screened in 1978 entitled Two Up, Two Down in which she played a hippy named Flo. Paul Nicholas played her partner, Jimmy, both of whom were squatting in the house of a nice middle class couple. It only lasted one series but then in 1979 came the pilot programme for a new BBC comedy written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft set in a holiday camp. 

It was of course Hi de Hi! The role of Peggy Ollerenshaw was to make Su a household name and the title of the series became a catchphrase echoed through the land. These days, it still is, incredibly, and can also be often spotted in online social media! 

Hi de Hi! went onto achieve almost legendary status in the annals of British comedy and ran until 1988, notching up some 58 episodes which regularly attracted audiences of over 15 million. Indeed Hi de Hi!'s status and legacy continue to grow each year.

Various cable and digital channels continue to air episodes and the series still airs in countries around the world. A true testament to the talents of Perry & Croft and the cast and crew.

2003 saw the release of the first two series of Hi de Hi! on DVD. "The Complete Collection" soon followed. A must for every fan of great comedy.

As a result of rave reviews Su was offered the role of Sally in the West End production of Me And My Girl at the Adelphi Theatre which she played for over a year. The production was a phenomenal success. 

Then came roles in a national tour of Rodgers and Hart's Babes In Arms playing Bunny Byron opposite Matthew Kelly, and the title role in Sweet Charity during a record breaking season at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing. 

Su also starred in the stage production of Hi De Hi! - The Holiday Musical, which along with almost all of the gang from the television series, played sell out seasons in Bournemouth (Summer 1983), The Victoria Palace (Winter Season 1983/84) and finally The Opera House in Blackpool (Summer 1984).

Following the successful television series and theatre productions, around the mid-1980s the BBC drew up plans to make a film version of Hi-de-Hi!, as had been done with other hit sitcoms in the 70s and early 80s. Sadly the film didn't go past the planning stage and Ted, Gladys, Spike, Peggy et al never got to share their magic on the cinema screen.

Other notable credits for Su include writing two books: 'Hearts and Showers', published by Headline, became a best seller both in hardback and paperback form. and later, the lesser known, 'Sensible Slimming'.

Su also appeared in a number of television adverts, most notably a Typhoo Teabags campaign which featured two memorable TV spots, as well as Walls Ice Lollies with actress Elizabeth Estensen, and Kit Kats, with comedy star Roy Kinnear. Su's image also featured in press advertising for Heineken lager, Toymaster toy stores, Ideal World shopping and, even, the British Safety Council.

Su's first hit single 'Starting Together', written by Bill Buckley of That's Life fame - the theme to a BBC television documentary The Marriage - shot to number two in the UK charts.

This was followed by further single releases and an album, 'Su', on K-Tel Records which entered the album charts and achieved silver status. 

In response to requests to hear Su singing live, in 1987 Su toured the UK in The Su Pollard Show. This also played on the QE2 and in New York. Subsequently her one woman show A Song, A Frock and A Tinkle earned rave reviews at The Donmar Warehouse and on a national tour.

Following Hi de Hi's tearful final episode, the writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft dreamed up a new comedy set in the roaring twenties You Rang M'Lord in which Su was cast as Ivy Teasdale, maid to wealthy Lord Meldrum. Once again reunited with Paul Shane and Jeffrey Holland. The show became a great favourite with the British public and ran for 26 episodes between 1988 and 1993.

You Rang, M'lord? is a big favourite with Su's fans and the series is also Su's personal favourite from the many TV roles she has played.

In the mid 1990's David Croft brought his popular team back together for a new show set in the small railway station of Hatley in 1963 when Dr. Richard Beeching's axe fell on many minor stations. 

Oh Dr. Beeching! had Su cast as Ethel Schumann, box office clerk and station gossip. After 19 episodes the BBC called time on the series but it remains a favourite with viewers all over the country. 

In addition to Su's best known roles she has been seen on other television programmes including; Me And My Town, Harty, Entertainment Express, Sunday Sunday, Aspel & Co. (famously guesting alongside a slightly merry Oliver Reed), Night Of 100 Stars, Top Of The Pops, Joan Rivers, Star Memories, Through The Keyhole, The Midday Show (in Australia), Coast To Coast, Loose Women, This Morning, The Paul O'Grady Show. and Songs Of Praise to name a few. 

In 1989 Su was thrilled to be the subject of This Is Your Life and hosted the game show Take The Plunge for Thames Television. 

Su is known to younger viewers as the voices of Penny Crayon, and as Noisy in Little Robots. As well as the lead voice in The Tale Of Jemima Puddleduck, guesting on Jackanory, playing Gloria Swoon in Claude for the Disney Junior channel and appearing as Mrs Cupelle in Hacker Time on CBeebies.

Su has been seen in programmes as diverse as The Generation Game, Give Us A Clue, Wogan, The Royal It's A Knockout, Noel's House Party (receiving the coveted Gotcha award) and no less than five Royal Variety Shows

On radio Su played in concert with the 80 strong BBC Radio Orchestra at London's Festival Hall and appeared with Gorden Kaye in three series of the comedy For Better Or For Worse. Su has also made guest appearances on dozens of radio shows over the years.

Su took to the stage again appearing as Audrey in a national tour of the cult musical Little Shop of Horrors, appeared in the West End and in New Zealand creating the role of Suzette in the hit comedy Don't Dress For Dinner (co-starring with the late, great Simon Cadell once more). 

Also in New Zealand Su joined David Griffin in The Good Sex Guide Revue, a saucy new musical, and co-starred with Les Dennis and Roy Walker on the North Pier for Blackpool's Biggest Show in 1995.

In the nineties, Su toured the Far East in Alan Bennet's comedy Habeas Corpus, created the role of Pam in Jimmy Perry and Roy Moore's musical That's Showbiz, starred with Britt Ekland and Jeffrey Holland in See How They Run for a summer season in Bournemouth and on a national tour. 

Su also played the role of Angela in Abigail's Party which once again found her touring the country to theatres full of eager audiences and rave reviews.

In 2001 Su released her CD album, 'The Collection', featuring 17 tracks, including hit singles and favourite songs.

Pantomime has always been one of Su's specialities and has been both principal boy and girl across the UK in Goldilocks, Babes In The Woods, Pinocchio, Jack And The Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Aladdin, and Dick Whittington.

In 2002 Su took on the role of the Wicked Queen in Snow White, her first outing as a "baddie". A role she has played a number of times since.

Between August 2001 and May 2002 Su played Pirate Maid Ruth, alongside Gary Wilmot as the Pirate King, in the hugely succesful The Pirates Of Penzance. The musical toured the lengths and breadths of the UK.

In late 2001 Su guest starred in an episode of the hit BBC1 comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme. She played Heidi Honeycomb, alongside Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus.

Barely pausing to draw breath Su took on the role of the wicked Miss Agatha Hannigan in Annie - The Musical, the drunken spinster who is in charge of the orphanage where young Annie resides. Su was a revelation in the role, not only doing justice to the wonderful Annie score, but playing the drunken orphanage owner to perfection.

In 2003 Su toured the UK in Annie, again as Miss Hannigan, guested in The Vagina Monologues,and played the Wicked Queen in Snow White.

2004 was busy, with Su playing the lead character on a national tour of A Happy Medium, making various TV appearances, including the 'Home-Tek' advertising campaign. Su returned to playing Miss Hannigan in Annie, including a successful Christmas season.

2005 saw Su again voicing those Little Robots, returning to The Vagina Monologues for a limited run, and playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White in Rhyl.

In early 2006 Su toured the UK in her first Shakesperian role, playing the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, opposite Gerald Harper. She returned to The Vagina Monologues and made a number of TV appearances, including The Princes Trust 30th Birthday. Su once again played the Wicked Queen in Snow White, this year at Mansfield Palace.

2007, and Su starred in Menopause the Musical in London, and guested on The Paul O'Grady Show, Loose Women and This Morning, and spent Christmas playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White at the Festival Theatre in Malvern.

A large part of 2008 saw Su starring in two national UK tours of Shout! The New Swinging 60s Musical. She received rave reviews as Yvonne. Throughout the year Su guested on many tv and radio shows. The year ended with Su, once again, starring in panto, this year in Cinderella at the Swansea Grand.


2009 was another busy year for Su. She announced the launch and line-up of 'Bestival', guested on Loose Women - and was named their "fashion icon", apt in a year when her clothes made headlines, and toured the UK in Annie. Su also attended the 30th Anniversary Hi-de-Hi! celebrations, and celebrated her 60th birthday.

2010 saw film a guest role in the Benidorm Christmas special and hit the road for a 10 month UK tour of Annie. In 2011 Su toured the UK with Annie as Miss Hannigan for the final time, recorded a song for Richard Kates' new album and made a cameo in Ray Cooney's Run For Your Wife! movie.

In 2012 Su starred as Miss Hannigan in Hong Kong and Singapore. She reprised the role for audiences in New Zealand in 2014. Su also continued to appear on TV and in panto. In 2012 she managed to appear in two pantos simultaneously , Sleeping Beauty in Bournemouth and Snow White in Horhsam. In 2013 it was Peter Pan in Nottingham, with David Hasselhoff.

Into the mid 2010s and beyond Su has continued to appear in theatre productions - including the highly successful Ha Ha Hood! show with Cannon and Ball - and on TV - on Who's Doing The Dishes?, Pointless Celebrities, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip as well as a variety of "talking heads" guest appearances.

In 2018, alongside a plethora of other stars, Su participated in the five-part ITV series Last Laugh in Vegas. A ratings hits reality series which culminated in a "Showtime" finale playing in Las Vegas.

To date this is Su's only dip into reality TV. She has long resisted numerous requests to guest on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! - despite Ant & Dec saying she is their most wanted campmate - and Celebrity Big Brother.

Following Last Laugh in Vegas, Su made her debut at Edinburgh's Fringe Festival in August 2018 in Philip Meeks' Harpy. Directed by Hannah Chissick Su received some of the best reviews of her career playing Birdie at Underbelly, Cowgate.

Su's career continues to be busy, with theatre and panto roles scheduled for 2019, as well as a milestone birthday in November, and she hopes you will keep up to date with her appearances via Su Online - www.supollard.com - her Official Website, launched in September 2000 and still going strong almost 20 years later!

There is also now an official Su Pollard Instagram page. Su's only social media outlet.

 
 

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