🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at the Age of 85 Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the film Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her London care home, in the company of her family after living with Parkinson's for a number of years, as stated by her relatives. Collins will be best remembered for her depiction of disgruntled housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's award-winning film, based on the acclaimed stage play by Willy Russell. Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a BAFTA award. 'Sparkling Personality' She appeared with her spouse John Alderton in the series Upstairs Downstairs, featured between 1971 to 1973 Collins' family released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on theater and film. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens." "She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them." The statement continued she was their "loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandmother", and her husband John Alderton's "life-long love" "Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us," they expressed, appreciating her carers, who looked after her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She experienced a more peaceful goodbye. We ask that you recall her at the peak of her career; radiant and energetic; and allow us privacy to contemplate a life without her" New York Theater Collins first played the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1988. She received that year's Olivier Award for outstanding actress. The following year she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a prestigious Tony award. The movie adaptation was launched shortly after. Additional movie roles included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition worldwide. Born in Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near the city of Liverpool and began her professional life as a teacher. Her passion for theater led her to take up acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a medical attendant in the Emergency Ward 10. She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theatre. Following several theater parts, she used her Liverpool accent to secure a part on the show The Liver Birds. Her acting career that she met her husband John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard. The couple performed alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as the series Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in ITV's popular series.