Elizabeth Estensen (born 10 August 1949) is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Diane Sugden on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1999 to 2021, with a guest stint in 2022. She has also made appearances in various British television series, including The Liver Birds, T-Bag and Coronation Street.

Early and personal life

Estensen was born on 10 August 1949 and had a Norwegian grandfather, from whom she inherited her surname. She grew up in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. Her mother was a primary school teacher, and her father was a merchant seaman and solicitor's clerk. Estensen considered becoming a speech therapist, but signed up for a Drama and English teaching course at Manchester Polytechnic instead.[2] Estensen has been married to husband Philip Allen since May 1983, and the pair have a son together, James Otto Allen.[3]

Career

Following graduation from Manchester Polytechnic, she moved to Liverpool and joined the Everyman repertory company. While appearing in a production of John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert, she was noticed by actress Nerys Hughes, who was looking for a replacement for Polly James in her sitcom, The Liver Birds. Estensen was cast as Carol Boswell, her debut television role, in 1975.[2] After The Liver Birds concluded in 1979, Estensen made appearances in films and series including T-Bag and Far from the Madding Crowd.[2] Between 1996 and 1998, she appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street as Pam Middleton.[4] Then in 1999, she was cast in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as series regular Diane Sugden, a role she has portrayed since.[4] In 2007, she won a shared award at the British Soap Awards for Spectacular Scene of the Year, which saw a house collapse that her character was involved in.[3] In September 2021, Estensen confirmed that she had filmed her final scenes as Diane in Emmerdale.[citation needed] Her final episode was broadcast on 29 October. However, Estensen agreed to return to the soap in October 2022 for a guest stint, for the show's 50th anniversary.[5]

Filmography

Year Title Role
1975–1979 The Liver Birds Carol Boswell
1976 Within These Walls Lorna Rogers
1977 Our Day Out Susan
1980 The Adventure Game Herself
1984 Danger: Marmalade at Work Wendy Wooley
1985–1989 T-Bag Tallulah-Bag
1993 The Bill Mrs. Smith
1993 Casualty Madeleine Howard
1993 The Upper Hand Patsy
1995 A Touch of Frost Susan Mackintosh
1995–2000 Mike and Angelo Daphne Fawkes-Bentley
1995 Pie in the Sky Evelyn Wilkes
1995 Cracker Reenie Wise
1996–1998 Coronation Street Pam Middleton
(17 episodes)
1997 Last of the Summer Wine Educational Adviser
1999 Wing and a Prayer Mrs. Hillary Campbell
1999 Polterguests Mrs. Swinton
1999–2022 Emmerdale Diane Sugden
(2,860 episodes)
2001 In a Land of Plenty Rachel

References

  1. ^ Alexandrou, Chloe (9 August 2022). "Elizabeth Estensen talks Emmerdale exit after 22 years: 'It's a younger person's job'". OK.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Elizabeth Estensen". What's on TV. Time Inc. UK. Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Five Fast Facts About British Soap Star Elizabeth Estensen". SoapHub. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Emmerdale favourites who appeared on other soaps - from Harriet Finch to Tracy Metcalfe". Daily Mirror. 27 September 2019.
  5. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (8 August 2022). "Emmerdale announces shock storm disaster for 50th anniversary". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Estensen
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