Vicki Michelle

Early life

The eldest of four daughters, Michelle was born in Chigwell, Essex. Her father Joseph was a fish trader at Billingsgate Fish Market and her mother Shirley an actress. One of her sisters is the actress and writer Ann Michelle. While her parents were at work, they employed an au-pair girl to look after Michelle and her three sisters; the girl they employed was future Hollywood actress Elke Sommer.

Michelle attended Knewnham Junior School in Wanstead and then West Hatch Technical High School. After O-levels she stayed on at school to complete a secretarial course. Hoping to become a ballet dancer, she joined the Aida Foster stage school.

Acting career

Michelle was given small television roles while still at stage school, the first being in Dixon of Dock Green. She followed this with an uncredited appearance dancing at a party in The Haunted House of Horror (1969), and a role in the play Play It Again, Sam with Dudley Moore in the West End from 1969 to 1970. Michelle then had appeared in three different episodes of Softly, Softly: Task Force and also as Terry Collier's girlfriend in Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? in 1974. She also had a starring role alongside her sister Ann in the horror film Virgin Witch (1972) before appearing with Joan Collins in Alfie Darling (1975), the sequel to Alfie (1966). Michelle then appeared in big-screen versions of English sitcoms The Likely Lads (1976) as a hitch-hiker with Penny Irving and George and Mildred (1980) as a girl in bed with the vicar. She also appeared regularly in the 1970s children's BBC TV series Crackerjack. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Michelle worked as a glamour model and a pin-up model.

Following a small role in Space: 1999, Michelle appeared in the films Queen Kong (1976), The Sentinel (1977) and Spectre with John Hurt before appearing in an episode of The Goodies as a nurse. In 1976, she had a role in The Two Ronnies sketch "The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town". In 1978, Michelle appeared in the film The Greek Tycoon opposite Anthony Quinn; her role was initially larger than that in the finished film. After this, Michelle had a small role as a French robot maid in the sitcom Come Back Mrs. Noah which was written by David Croft and played Bodie's girlfriend in an episode of the drama The Professionals. Following a part in Minder, in which she played Sarah Jane in the episode Don't Tell Them Willie Boy Was Here, Michelle had a regular role as Sandra, Les Dawson's secretary, in the comedy sketch show The Dawson Watch from 1979 to 1980. In 1980, she had a recurring role in another The Two Ronnies sketch in which she played a state policewoman under the rule of a dystopian female leader played by Diana Dors.

Although the late sixties and seventies gave her success, Michelle gained significant attention, particularly in Ireland, after appearing as Sally O'Brien in a string of high-profile adverts for Harp Lager in the early 1980s. The slogan "Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at you" became synonymous with the company and brought Michelle to viewers' attention. There was a small outcry when it was revealed that the actress that played Sally O'Brien was in fact English, not Irish. Following on from this success, Michelle played the part of Millie in Priest of Love (1981) alongside Ava Gardner, John Gielgud and Ian McKellen before appearing in a second episode of The Professionals, in which she played Tina, the girlfriend of an organised crime boss played by John Junkin in the episode The Untouchables.

However, Michelle's big break was when she was offered the part of Yvette Carte-Blanche in the BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!, produced and written by David Croft. Croft had remembered Michelle playing the French maid robot in an episode of his previous sitcom Come Back Mrs. Noah and offered her the role. Michelle played Yvette in all eighty-five episodes of the series from 1982 to 1992 as well as reprising the role in numerous stage plays based on the series. Although she was achieving high success, Michelle maintained an acting career alongside Allo, 'Allo!, and had roles in The Last Days of Pompeii, Cannon and Ball, The Little and Large Show and two episodes of the successful department store sitcom Are You Being Served? which was also written by David Croft. Michelle also appeared as Betty, a Cockney barmaid, in three episodes of The Kenny Everett Television Show. In 1985, Michelle toured in a production of Doctor in the House with Robin Askwith, Frazer Hines and Windsor Davies.

After Allo, 'Allo! ended in 1992, Michelle appeared on a number of episodes of Noel's House Party as Noel Edmonds's man-eating neighbour. In 1996, Michelle played Lucy Westenra in a production of Dracula alongside Leslie Grantham in the title role. In 2001, she played Miss Hannigan in a touring production of Annie; she would reprise the role in various tours of the production in 2005 and 2007.

In 2007 Michelle reprised the role of Yvette Carte-Blanche in The Return of 'Allo 'Allo! celebrating twenty-five years since the show was first broadcast. From 2007 to 2009, she played the recurring character Patricia Foster in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Later in 2007, she appeared in a Children in Need special of Hotel Babylon and, the following year, appeared on the BBC cookery programme Celebrity MasterChef. From 2008 to 2009, Michelle toured with the 'Allo 'Allo! stage show. She played the role of Amanda Newman in the 2010 TV film Resentment.

In 2013, she played Deborah Whitton in the 2013 romantic comedy film The Callback Queen. In 2014, Michelle returned to the stage in the hit play Hello Norma Jeane at London's King's Head Theatre, where she took on the role of an Essex grandma who claims to be Marilyn Monroe.

In 2014, Michelle was cast to play the role of Dr. Victoria Spencer in Spencer Hawken's 2016 film No Reasons.

In 2017, Michelle appeared in the gangster film Rise of the Footsoldier 3 and the short film Grimaldi: The Funniest Man in the World with The Chuckle Brothers.

In 2020, Michelle made her first appearance in the sitcom radio and podcast series Barmy Dale. She plays the recurring role of Angie Edwards.

In February 2023, it was announced that Michelle would be joining the BBC One soap opera EastEnders in spring 2023 for a short guest stint. It was later announced that Michelle would be playing Jo Cotton, the secret wife of Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley). her first scenes aired on 29 March 2023.

Other ventures

Charity work

Michelle has been involved in a number of charities and good causes. She was the longest-serving president of The Heritage Foundation and is the current president of the eastern region of the Lady Taverners. As well as being a member of the Grand Order Of Lady Ratlings, Michelle is also an ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy, the SSAFA, Wetnose Animal Aid, Homeless Worldwide and a patron of the Gordon Craig Theatre, Macmillan Cancer Support, Barnardo's, Age UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Sign2Sing, the Blackfish Academy, the Talent Time Stage School, the Haven House Children's Hospice, the Essex Women's Advisory Group, The Dream Factory and AA Dog Rescue. She is also an Executive Committee Member of the Royal Variety Charity. She has also presented the Soldering On Awards since 2016.

Michelle is also a regular campaigner for Ban Trophy Hunting, Acting For Others, the Mane Chance Horse Sanctuary, Autism's Got Talent and also supports the armed forces charities Blind Veterans UK, the RAF Benevolent Fund, Pathfinders and Nowzad Dogs.

Business ventures

In 1992, Michelle and two of her sisters set up a company called Trading Faces, of which Michelle is the company director, which provides celebrity after-dinner speakers for corporate events. The company's website also state that they also provide "film & video production facilities, multi-camera event coverage, CV & biography writing services, promotional & training films, film & TV commercials, press coverage, scriptwriting and product endorsement".

Radio

Michelle has been broadcasting a weekly chat show on Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM since October 2017.

Producing

In 2012, Michelle was executive producer of the film based on the Ray Cooney theatrical production Run for Your Wife.

Personal life

Michelle has been married to cinematographer Graham Fowler since 1974. They have one daughter, Louise, born in 1989 who is also an actress.

In September 2015, Michelle was a guest on Big Brother's Bit on the Side and feared she could have been blinded after being hit on the back of the head with a champagne glass thrown by Farrah Abraham during a fight between Abraham and Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace. The show had to be taken off air early and the incident prompted a police investigation. Michelle was hospitalised and suffered from whiplash, concussion and balance issues. It was later reported Michelle wanted to 'press charges' against Abraham, although there is no mechanism for her to have done so in English law.

In 2016, Michelle said she suffers from tinnitus.

Honours

Michelle was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours for her services to charity. She was also made a Dame of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights of Malta in 2012.

Filmography

Film

Television

Reality television

Theatre

• 1969 – Play It Again Sam – Go-Go Girl – West End – Joseph Hardy
• 1985 – Doctor in The House – Vera – National Tour – Paul Elliott
• 1986/87 – 'Allo 'Allo – Yvette Carte-Blanche – West End – Peter Farago
• 1987/88 – 'Allo 'Allo – Yvette Carte-Blanche – International Tour – Peter Farago
• 1993/94 – Don't Dress for Dinner – Jacqueline – National Tour – Peter Farago
• 1995 – Don't Dress for Dinner – Jacqueline – National Tour – Peter Farago
• 1996 – Dracula – Mina – National Tour – Alan Cohen
• 1996/97 – 'Allo 'Allo – Yvette Carte-Blanche – National Tour – Peter Farago
• 1998 – Don't Dress for Dinner – Jacqueline – National Tour – Ian Dickens
• 1998 – Women of a Certain Age – Renee – National Tour – David Simmons
• 1999 – Beauty and the Beast – Bathsheba – Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe – Steve Shappelle
• 2000 – Round and Round the Garden – Ruth – National Tour – Ian Dickens
• 2001 – Table Manners – Ruth – National Tour – Ian Dickens
• 2001 – Business Affairs – Hilda Bigley – National Tour – John B. Hobbs
• 2001 – Annie – Miss Hannigan – Theatre Royal, Lincoln – Chris Colby
• 2002 – The Tart and the Vicar's Wife – Glenda Parry – Theatre Royal, Lincoln – Chris Colby
• 2002/03 – Don't Dress for Dinner – Jacqueline – International Tour – Ian Dickens
• 2004 – Out of Order – Pamela Willey – National Tour – Ian Dickens
• 2004 – Reflections – Narrator – Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone
• 2005 – Don't Dress for Dinner – Jacqueline – Overseas Tour – Chris Moreno
• 2005 – Bedside Manners – Sally – Overseas Tour – Chris Moreno
• 2005 – Annie – Miss Hannigan – Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury – Eric Potts
• 2005 – Salads Days – Lady Raeburn & Asphynxia – National Tour – Matthew Townshend
• 2005 – Stepping Out – Maxine – Theatre Royal, Lincoln – Chris Colby
• 2006 – Funny Money – Betty – UK Tour – Giles Watling & Ian Dickens
• 2006 – Salad Days – Lady Raeburn & Asphynxia – National Tour – Matthew Townshend
• 2006 – Audacity – Gillian – Lyceum Theatre, Crewe – Jay Marcus
• 2007 – Double Vision – Dawn & Donna – Lyceum Theatre, Crewe – Jay Marcus
• 2007 – Annie – Miss Hannigan – Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage – Scott St. Martin
• 2008 – Lock Up Your Daughters – Mrs. Squeezum – Hoxne – Matthew Townshend
• 2008/09 – 'Allo 'Allo – Yvette Carte-Blanche – National Tour – James Robert Carson
• 2009 – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas – Mona Stangley – New Theatre, Hull – Jonathan Parker
• 2010 – Wife Begins at Forty – Linda Harper – Grand Theatre, Blackpool – Brian Godfrey
• 2010 – Stop Dreamin' – Vi Collins – UK Tour – Ray Cooney
• 2011 – Stop Dreamin' – Vi Collins – UK Tour – Ray Cooney
• 2012 – That's Love – Sarah Daniels – UK Tour – Ron Aldridge
• 2012 – Wife Begins at Forty – Linda Harper – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – Ray Cooney
• 2014 – The Importance of Being Earnest – Lady Bracknell – McGrigor Hall, Frinton – Edward Max
• 2014 – Hello Norma Jeane – Lynnie – Kings Head Theatre, London – Matthew Gould
• 2019 – Hormonal Housewives – Vicki – UK Tour – Julie Combe
• 2021 – Hello Norma Jeane – Lynnie – Southwold Arts Centre, Southwold – Dylan Costello
• 2021 – Dirty Dusting – Olive – UK Tour – Ed Waugh
• 2022 – Dirty Dusting – Olive – UK Tour – Ed Waugh
• 2022 – The Wizard of Oz – Glinda the Good – UK Tour – Paul Boyd

Pantomime

• 1983 – Snow White – Wicked Red Queen – Opera House, Cork
• 1988 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – The Alexandra House, Birmingham
• 1991 – Aladdin – Genie – The New Theatre, Cardiff
• 1992 – Aladdin – Genie – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
• 1993 – Jack and the Beanstalk – Fairy – The Grand Theatre, Swansea
• 1994 – Aladdin – Genie – Theatre Royal, Plymouth
• 1996 – Mother Goose – Fairy – Hippodrome, Birmingham
• 1997 – Jack and the Beanstalk – Fairy – Churchill Theatre, Bromley
• 1999 – Aladdin – Genie – The Grand Theatre, Swansea
• 2000 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – Alban Arena, St. Albans
• 2001 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – Broadway Theatre, Lewisham
• 2002 – Aladdin – Aladdin – Civic Hall, Bedworth
• 2003 – Peter Pan – Herrietta & Mrs Darling – New Theatre, Hull
• 2004 – Cinderella – Lady Cruella – New Theatre, North Wales Theatre, Llandudno
• 2005 – Sleeping Beauty – Fairy Moan – Broadway Theatre, Peterborough
• 2006 – Sleeping Beauty – Lilac Fairy – Plaza Theatre, Stockport
• 2007 – Robin Hood – The Enchantress – Connaught Theatre, Worthing
• 2008 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – New Theatre Hull
• 2009 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare
• 2010 – Sleeping Beauty – Carabosse – Palace Theatre, Newark
• 2011 – Sleeping Beauty – Carabosse – Harlequin Theatre, Redhill
• 2012 – Beauty and the Beast – Silver Enchantress – Hexagon Theatre, Reading
• 2013 – Sleeping Beauty – Lilac Fairy – Middlesbrough Theatre
• 2015 – Sleeping Beauty – Malicious (the evil fairy) – Lincoln Theatre Royal
• 2016 – Jack and the Beanstalk – Fairy Pea Pod – King's Theatre, Portsmouth
• 2017 – Aladdin – Slave of the Ring – Northwich Memorial Court, Cheshire
• 2018 – Sleeping Beauty – Carabosse – Castleford Civic Centre
• 2019 – Snow White – Wicked Queen – Grand Opera House, York
• 2021 – Cinderella – Fairy Fabulous – Grimsby Auditorium
• 2022 – Sleeping Beauty – Carabosse – Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare
• 2023 – Sleeping Beauty – Wicked Fairy – Regent Theatre, Ipswich
• 2025 – Sleeping Beauty – Carabosse – Malthouse Theatre, Canterbury

References

References

1. "Vicki Michelle".
2. "Ann Michelle Profile". Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen.
3. Take Two: Vicki Michelle
4. (1 December 2019). "2.5 Don't Tell Them Willie Boy Was Here".
5. (2 March 2013). "It's 30 years since I was Sally O'Brien but Irish men still try to chat me up". Irish Independent.
6. "Vicki Michelle Diary".
7. (6 August 2014). "'Allo 'Allo's Vicki Michelle to star as Marilyn Monroe in new play".
8. Russell, Rickey. (5 February 2014). "Cast Announced For No Reasons". [[Movie Pilot]].
9. "Barmy Productions".
10. "EastEnders casts 'Allo 'Allo! legend Vicki Michelle in mystery role".
11. "EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw confirms Vicki Michelle's character".
12. "Charities & Patron".
13. "MBE & Awards".
14. "Royal Variety Charity Management". The Royal Variety Charity.
15. (9 October 2020). "Strictly's JJ Chalmers and Vicki Michelle MBE announce the third group of winners of the 10th Annual Soldiering on Awards". The Confederation of Services Charities.
16. (25 May 2021). "Vicki Michelle MBE is our Ambassador for the Family Values Award". Soldering On.
17. "Trading Faces: About". Trading Faces.
18. "Trading Faces: Speakers". Trading Faces.
19. "Vicki Michelle's Music Mix on Phoenix FM". Phoenix FM.
20. "Run For Your Wife". Run For Your Wife.
21. {{cite episode. ITV]]
22. (2016-05-30). "Vicki Michelle 'could have been BLINDED' by live TV CBBBOTS glass 'attack'".
23. Powell, Emma. (23 September 2015). "Vicki Michelle 'taken to hospital' after huge row erupts between Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and Farrah Abraham on Big Brother's Bit on the Side". Evening Standard.
24. Hope, Hannah. (2015-10-07). "Vicki Michelle 'still suffering balance problems' after being injured in Celebrity Big Brother brawl". Daily Mirror.
25. (2015-09-24). "Vicki Michelle 'pressing charges' against Farrah Abraham after Celebrity Big Brother row". BBC.
26. (2015-09-23). "'The show must go on': Vicki Michelle on how she's learning to tune out her tinnitus".
27. (12 June 2010). "Queen honours 'Allo 'Allo actress". BBC News.
28. {{London Gazette. (12 June 2010)