Patricia Shakesby


Patricia Shakesby is an English actress and playwright, best known for her role as Polly Urquhart in Howards' Way. She is also notable for being an original cast member of Coronation Street, in which she played Susan Cunningham, the first on-screen love interest of Ken Barlow.

Early life and roles

Shakesby was born in Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire. She began her acting career in London’s West End, aged 18, playing the Sea Witch in Where the Rainbow Ends. Other West End appearances included Susie in Someone to Kill, Charlotte in Night of the Iguana, Felicity in The Real Inspector Hound and Helen in Suddenly at Home. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, Troilus and Cressida, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, The Love-Girl and the Innocent and La Ronde.
Patricia Shakesby was a member of the original cast of playing Suzan Cunningham for twelve episodes. In 1972, Shakesby appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins in the television series War and Peace, playing Vera Rostova. Between 1985 and 1990, she appeared in six series of the BBC television series Howard's Way, playing Polly Urquhart. Her many other television credits include Hancock's Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, The Borderers, Late Starter, The Liver Birds, The Likely Lads, Sapphire & Steel, Casting the Runes and Yes Minister.
She wrote a play, The Lady of the Abbey, based on the life of the wife of Robert Fitzhamon, who founded Tewkesbury Abbey.

Personal life

Shakesby married Alan Purkiss in 1997. The couple live in Gloucestershire. She won an award for playing the best drunk on television; however, Shakesby is teetotal, as alcohol gives her a migraine.

Select stage roles