Kay Purcell

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Kay Purcell
Purcell in 2020
Born(1963-12-06)6 December 1963
Leyland, Lancashire, England
Died23 December 2020(2020-12-23) (aged 57)
Leyland, Lancashire, England
NationalityEnglish
EducationWellfield High School
Alma materRoyal Welsh College of Music & Drama
OccupationActress
Years active1990–2020
Television
SpouseCheddie Jarrett (div.)
Children3
Signature

Pauline Purcell Jarrett[1] (6 December 1963[2][3] – 23 December 2020),[4][5] known professionally as Kay Purcell, was an English actress. With a career that spanned three decades, she was best known for her roles of Cynthia Daggert in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale (2001–2002), Candice Smilie in the BBC One television drama series Waterloo Road (2007–2009), and Gina Conway in the CBBC children's television series Tracy Beaker Returns (2010–2012), and its spin-off series The Dumping Ground (2013).

Early life[change | change source]

Kay Purcell was born in Leyland, Lancashire, England[6] on 6 December[2][3] 1963.[7]

Purcell attended Wellfield High School, in her hometown. She studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales.[8][9]

Career[change | change source]

1990–1999; Debut and early roles[change | change source]

Purcell made her debut as an actress in radio.[10] She made her broadcasting debut as a reader in Pen to Paper: Work on BBC Radio 4. The episode was broadcast on 8 May 1990.[11]

Purcell made her television debut as a TV reporter in the ITV crime drama series Cracker. The episode, "True Romance (Part Two)", was broadcast on 27 November 1995.[12]

Purcell joined the cast of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Carmel Morgan, a social worker, on 27 August 1996. She made nine appearances, until her departure on 7 January 1998.[13]

Purcell joined the cast of the ITV soap opera Coronation Street as Rhona Summers, a community midwife, on 1 September 1997. She made three appearances, until 10 September.[4]

Purcell portrayed WDC Fiona Bolton in the BBC One medical drama series Casualty. The episode, "Taking Sides", was broadcast on 7 February 1998.[14]

2000–2018; Breakthrough[change | change source]

Purcell portrayed Diane Abley in the BBC One medical drama series Casualty. The episode, "Fall Out", was broadcast on 15 January 2000.[15]

Purcell joined the cast of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Cynthia Daggert, the mother of Danny Daggert (Cleveland Campbell), on 6 June 2001. She appeared in 188 episodes, until her departure on 19 December 2002.[16][17][18]

Purcell appeared on the first series of the ITV reality television series Celebrity Fit Club. The series was broadcast between 27 September and 29 November 2002.[19]

Purcell portrayed Heather Nixon in the BBC One medical drama television series Holby City. The episode, "Read My Lips", was broadcast on 14 October 2003.[20]

Purcell made her film debut with the role of Gloria in the sex comedy Sex Lives of the Potato Men, with Johnny Vegas and Mackenzie Crook. The film was released on 20 February 2004.[21]

Purcell portrayed Ms. Yvonne Savage in the CITV children's drama series Bernard's Watch. She appeared in both series in the show's second run from 6 January 2004 to 31 March 2005.[22]

Purcell portrayed Mrs. Jane Manners in the BBC One medical soap opera Doctors. The episode, "Mind Games", was broadcast on 28 September 2005.[23]

Purcell joined the cast of the BBC One television drama series Waterloo Road as Candice Smilie, the senior canteen assistant and the mother of Bolton Smilie (Tachia Newall), on 11 October 2007.[24] She appeared in 24 episodes, until her departure on 25 November 2009.[25][26][17]

Purcell founded eXceL Agency, a management company, in Leyland, Lancashire in July 2009. In August 2011, the company was rebranded as Kay Purcell Management.[9][27]

Purcell portrayed Gina Conway[28] in the CBBC television series Tracy Beaker Returns from 8 January 2010[29] to 23 March 2012.[30]

Purcell appeared on the CBBC hidden camera game show Remote Control Star. The series was hosted by JK and Joel. The episode was broadcast on 10 February 2011.[31]

Purcell appeared with her Tracy Beaker Returns co-star Connor Byrne (Mike Milligan) on the CBBC children's sketch comedy talk show Hacker Time. The episode was broadcast on 12 August 2012.[32]

Purcell reprised her role of Gina Conway in the CBBC children's television drama series The Dumping Ground from 4 January[33] to 15 March 2013.[34] She made her departure from the show at the end of the first series.[13]

Purcell portrayed Mrs. Breadbin in the CBBC children's sketch comedy talk show Hacker Time from 27 July[35] to 7 August 2015.[36]

Purcell portrayed Mrs. Rennison in the CBBC sitcom series So Awkward from 29 September 2016[37] to 23 November 2017.[38]

2019–2020; Final roles[change | change source]

Purcell voiced Anna for two episodes of Three Sisters Rewired, the BBC Radio 4 reworked production of the Anton Chekhov play Three Sisters. The episodes first episode was broadcast on 14 December 2019.[39] The second episode was broadcast on 21 December.[40]

Purcell appeared in five episodes of the mini-series When It Rains between 20 July and 12 December 2020.[13]

Posthumous release[change | change source]

Purcell made her final television appearance as Mo Larkin in the BBC One medical soap opera Doctors. The episode, "Of Mice and Women", was broadcast on 17 February 2021.[41] The show paid tribute to her on social media after the episode was broadcast.[42]

Personal life[change | change source]

Purcell was married to and divorced from Cheddie Jarrett.[19] They had three children together;[4] Ashley Joshua S Jarrett (born July 1985),[43] Shemar Cheddie Jarrett (born September 1998)[44] and Indika June K Jarrett (born April 2004).[45] She had a grandson, Levon, from her elder son.[4]

Purcell resided in Leyland, Lancashire.[19]

Illness[change | change source]

Purcell was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2017.[46] She posted images, videos and blogs on social media to document her journey with the disease.[47] She was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in early 2020. She was given a life expectancy of two years.[26]

Death[change | change source]

Purcell died from metastatic breast cancer which had spread to her liver in Leyland, Lancashire on 23 December 2020. She was 57.[1][4] Her death was announced the following day on Twitter by David Daly Associates, her agents.[5]

Dani Harmer, the actress who portrayed Tracy Beaker, led tributes on social media.[26][48] Tributes poured in from many of her co-stars, including; Amy-Leigh Hickman,[49] Mia McKenna-Bruce,[50] Joe Maw,[51] Chris Slater,[52] Richard Wisker,[53] and Kia Pegg,[54] from Tracy Beaker Returns. Emmerdale also paid tribute on social media.[55]

Filmography[change | change source]

Radio[change | change source]

Year Title Station Role Notes Ref.
1990 Pen to Paper BBC Radio 4 Reader 2 episodes [11][56]
1992, 1993 The Birth Machine Staff nurse [57][58]
1992, 1993 Anaconda Maid [59][60]
1994, 1995 Heart and Soul Mum, Mavis, Linda, Trader [61][62]
1994, 1996 The Twelve Days of Christmas [63][64]
1995 Going for Gold George's Mum, Customer 1 episode [65]
Letting Your Hair Down George's Mum, Aunt Gail [66]
The Amazons Sergeant Shuter [67]
1996 The Queen of Revenge [68]
1998 The Speckled Panic [69]
2002 The Common Pursuit Loretta [70]
2003, 2004 Tell Me a Film Vivian 2 episodes [71][72]
2004 Baloney Said Salome 1 episode [73]
2007 Take-Away, Goodbye Mr Gherkin Martha 2 episodes [74][75]
2009 Bad by Default Grandmadda 1 episode [76]
2010 The Barber and the Ark Yvonne [77]
2019 Three Sisters Rewired Anna 2 episodes [39][40]

Theatre[change | change source]

Year Title Venue Role Notes Ref.
1993 The Winter's Tale Paulina, Dorcas
1997 Everyone Knows All Birds Have Wings
2012 Hormonal Housewives
2013 Rapunzel York Barbican Gothel the Enchantress
2014 Sleeping Beauty Fareham Wicked Queen
Evil Carabosse

Television[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1995 Cracker TV Reporter Episode: "True Romance: Part 2" [12]
1996–1998 Emmerdale Carmel Morgan 9 episodes [13]
1997 Coronation Street Rhona Summers 3 episodes [4]
1998 Casualty WDC McCarthy Episode: "Taking Sides" [14]
1999 City Central Jenny Episode: "Paradise Lost" [78]
My Parents Are Aliens Mrs. Williams Episode: "The Home Team" [79]
The Cops Cleaning Supervisor Episode: "Episode #2.9"
2000 Casualty Diane Abley Episode: "Fall Out" [15]
Children's Ward Winsome Episode: "Episode #12.8" [79]
2001–2002 Emmerdale Cynthia Daggert 188 episodes [16][17][18]
2002 Celebrity Fit Club Herself Episode: "Episode #1.1" [19]
The Psychic Show Episode: "Episode #1.28" [79]
2003 Holby City Heather Nixon Episode: "Read My Lips" [20]
2004–2005 Bernard's Watch Ms. Yvonne Savage 21 episodes [79]
2005 Messiah: The Harrowing Prof Uhomi 3 episodes [80]
Doctors Mrs. Jane Manners Episode: "Mind Games" [23]
2006 Ideal Alice Episode: "The Delivery" [79]
My Parents Are Aliens Mrs. Brookman 3 episodes
2007–2009 Waterloo Road Candice Smilie 24 episodes [24][25]
2007 Bernard 2 episodes [81][82]
2010–2012 Tracy Beaker Returns Gina Conway 39 episodes [29][30]
2011 Remote Control Star Herself Episode: "Kay Purcell" [31]
2012 Hacker Time Episode: "Connor Byrne and Kay Purcell" [32]
2013 The Dumping Ground Gina Conway 13 episodes [33][34]
2015 Hacker Time Mrs. Breadbin 10 episodes [35][36]
2016–2017 So Awkward Mrs. Rennison 15 episodes [37][38]
2016 Sunny D Barbara Episode: "D Is for Declarations" [83]
2020 When It Rains Sonia 5 episodes [13]
2021 Doctors Mo Larkin Episode: "Of Mice and Women"; posthumous release [41]

Film[change | change source]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004 Sex Lives of the Potato Men Gloria [21]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2022: 23 DEC 2020 (aged 57) LEYLAND – Ms Pauline Purcell Jarrett
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Purcell, Kay (5 December 2017). "Tomorrow is my Birthday & at the start of all this cancer stuff, I didn't know if I would see another!!! It's been gruelling & at times almost more than I could bear.......but I have & I'm hear to write about it😏. I go in next week for my elective mastectomy- I'm nervous in case something is found but also relieved to be ridding myself of 'The BOOB'. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for Christmas & New Year. I will keep posting on here as long as Cancer is around!!!! Look after yourselves & please keep on checking & spreading the word. Love & peace xx". Facebook. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Purcell, Kay (5 December 2020). "Kays Journey to her 60th birthday 6th December 1963, 58 years ago I started my journey in life. My journey has seen me achieve some amazing things, my proudest achievement has to be my 3 amazing children. Ashley, Shemar and Indika and also my Beautiful grandson Levon,I have also been Blessed with some of the best family and friends anyone could ask for, I would like to thank you for all the years of love and support you have given me. Over the last couple of months, I have been feeling unwell, I had put this down to my stomach ulcer. This was up until a couple of weeks ago I found myself in agony and could no longer deal with the pain. Consequently, I have been diagnosed with inoperable cancer to the liver.But with treatment, I have up to two years left to enjoy my time with my family and friends. So from Now on I'm going to live my life to the fullest, spending everyday living the best of my life I can. I don't have a Bucket list but, I'M CERTAINLY NOT GIVING UP!!!In exactly two years I turn 60, with every will in the world I am going to fight to see my 60th birthday and I will raise one more glass of Rum with you all. Can you all try and remain as happy and as positive for me as you can for me. I will keep you updated as the journey unfolds. Please don't take offence if I don't reply to messages, I will be reading them. Big love to you all Kay". Facebook. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Kay Purcell of Emmerdale and Tracy Beaker Returns dies at 57". BBC News. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Associates, David Daly (24 December 2020). "It is with great regret that we announce the death of Kay Purcell at the age of 57. Kay was a very valued client who had been represented by David Daly Associates for many years. We send sympathy and love to her family and friends". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Saunders, Emmeline; Hodgson, Sarah (24 December 2020). "Lancashire Emmerdale and Tracy Beaker star Kay Purcell dies at 57". Lancs Live. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Kay Purcell". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "Kay Kpm Purcell". Facebook. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kay Purcell". LinkedIn. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ↑ "Kay Purcell - BBC Programme Index". BBC. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Pen to Paper". BBC. 8 May 1990. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Kay Purcell". TV Guide. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Welsh, Daniel (24 December 2020). "Kay Purcell, Star Of Tracy Beaker Returns And Waterloo Road, Dies Aged 57". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Casualty: Taking Sides". BBC. 7 February 1998. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Casualty". BBC. 15 January 2000. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Wilkes, Neil (26 July 2002). "Two families dropped in "Emmerdale"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Patterson, Stephen (24 December 2020). "Emmerdale and Waterloo Road icon Kay Purcell dies aged 57". Metro. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Pearce, Tilly (24 December 2020). "Emmerdale pays tribute to Kay Purcell after news of her death aged 57". Metro. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "Weight to go our Kay!". Lancashire Telegraph. 27 September 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Holby City". BBC. 14 October 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Sex Lives of the Potato Men". Rotten Tomatoes. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "Bernard's Watch star David Peachey reflects on childhood fame: 'Everyone always finds out!'". Yahoo! Movies. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Doctors". BBC. 28 September 2005. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Waterloo Road". BBC. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Waterloo Road". BBC. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 White, Adam (25 December 2020). "Kay Purcell death: Tracy Beaker and Waterloo Road star dies age 57". The Independent. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  27. ↑ "Kay Purcell Management". Kay Purcell Management. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  28. ↑ "BBC - Press Office - Tracy Beaker Returns press pack:". BBC. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Tracy Beaker Returns". BBC. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Tracy Beaker Returns". BBC. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Remote Control Star". BBC. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Hacker Time". BBC. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "The Dumping Ground". BBC. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "The Dumping Ground". BBC. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Hacker Time". BBC. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Hacker Time". BBC. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "So Awkward". BBC. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "So Awkward". BBC. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Drama on 4". BBC. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Drama on 4". BBC. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "BBC One - Doctors, Series 22, Of Mice and Women". BBC. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  42. ↑ Doctors, BBC (17 February 2021). "We were very sad to hear about the passing of Kay Purcell who appeared in today's episode, the cast and crew really enjoyed having her on the show". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  43. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1985 38 1227 MANCHESTER mmn Jarrett – Ashley Joshua S Jarrett
  44. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: SEP 1998 D91B 167 MANCHESTER mmn Kay – Shemar Cheddie Jarrett
  45. ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: APR 2004 C91C 233 PRESTON AND SOUTH RIBBLE mmn Kay – Indika June K Jarrett
  46. ↑ Baron, Olivia (27 February 2017). "TV star Kay Purcell courageously shares her cancer journey". Blog Preston. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  47. ↑ "Kay Purcell: My Story". Facebook. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  48. ↑ Harmer, Dani (24 December 2020). "💔". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  49. ↑ Hickman, Amy-Leigh (24 December 2020). "I'm so sad to hear the news about Kay Purcell. Kay was one of the funniest women I have ever met and really made those early years for me and the rest of the cast. Rest in peace Kay. A truly magical woman ❤️". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  50. ↑ McKenna-Bruce, Mia (24 December 2020). "Thought 2020 couldn't get much worse. We've lost our beautiful Kay. There aren't the words to sum up how wonderful she was, or how grateful I am for everything she did for us growing up. Raising a glass to our superhero tonight. We love you forever🤍". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  51. ↑ Maw, Joe (24 December 2020). "Gina, you're fantastical. I'm heartbroken to hear of the news of Kay. She was an absolutely wonderful person to have the pleasure to act with, and the source of many laughs and happy memories. My thoughts are with her family xx". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  52. ↑ Slater, Chris (24 December 2020). "Absolutely devastated by the news of @MissKayPurcell passing. You were the light of our place we called home for 3 years. I miss your laughter and your hugs. #disabledgang #tracybeakerfamily". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  53. ↑ Wisker, Richard (24 December 2020). "A tribute to Kay, for all the good times on and off set, devastated by the loss of you. You will be greatly missed by all of us who love you. 💔#TracyBeakerFamily". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  54. ↑ Pegg, Kia (26 December 2020). "Kay truly was one of the loveliest people I have worked with. The game nights she organised were my favourite part of filming series 1. they were the first time I actually felt like a part of the DG family. She was so brilliant, so talented and so lovely. Thinking of her family💔". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  55. ↑ "We're so sad today to hear about the passing of actress Kay Purcell who played Cynthia Daggert. Our thoughts are with her family and friends". X (formerly Twitter). 24 December 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  56. ↑ "Pen to Paper". BBC. 22 May 1990. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  57. ↑ "The Monday Play: The Birth Machine". BBC. 17 February 1992. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  58. ↑ "Playhouse: The Birth Machine". BBC. 18 September 1993. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  59. ↑ "The Monday Play". BBC. 7 December 1992. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  60. ↑ "Playhouse: Anaconda". BBC. 23 October 1993. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  61. ↑ "Heart and Soul". BBC. 5 November 1994. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  62. ↑ "Saturday Night Theatre: Heart and Soul". BBC. 23 September 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  63. ↑ "The Twelve Days of Christmas". BBC. 25 December 1994. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  64. ↑ "The Twelve Days of Christmas". BBC. 23 December 1996. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  65. ↑ "Children's Radio 4: Likely Stories: 4: Going for Gold". BBC. 22 January 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  66. ↑ "Children's Radio 4: Likely Stories". BBC. 29 January 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  67. ↑ "The Sunday Play: The Amazons". BBC. 29 January 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  68. ↑ "Thirty Minute Theatre: The Queen of Revenge". BBC. 4 June 1996. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  69. ↑ "The Speckled Panic". BBC. 7 March 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  70. ↑ "Afternoon Play: The Common Pursuit". BBC. 2 August 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  71. ↑ "Afternoon Play: Tell Me a Film". BBC. 20 February 2003. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  72. ↑ "Afternoon Play: Tell Me a Film". BBC. 22 July 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  73. ↑ "Afternoon Play: Baloney Said Salome". BBC. 23 July 2004. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  74. ↑ "Afternoon Play: Take-Away". BBC. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  75. ↑ "BBC Programme Index". BBC. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  76. ↑ "Afternoon Play: Bad by Default". BBC. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  77. ↑ "Drama on 4". BBC. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  78. ↑ "City Central: Paradise Lost". BBC. 27 March 1999. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 Cite error: The named reference :4 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  80. ↑ "Messiah 4: The Harrowing". BBC. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  81. ↑ "Bernard". BBC. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  82. ↑ "Bernard". BBC. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  83. ↑ "Sunny D". BBC. 20 November 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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