English stage, film and television actress, and singer
She is best known for playing the emotionally battered and alcoholic landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders
On Boxing Day in 1986, 30 million viewers tuned in to witness Den handing Angie her divorce papers, giving the soap its highest ever figures, which has yet to be beaten by any other soap in the UK.
She is married to Queen guitarist Sir Brian May and known also as Lady May
In 1986, she reached number four in the UK Singles Chart with “Anyone Can Fall in Love”, a song based on the EastEnders theme music.
She starred in the ITV sitcom Split Ends and in the Jim Davidson sitcom Up the Elephant and Round the Castle
She was nominated for Best Actress for the National Theatre production of Frozen
She has starred in The Bill, Casualty and also in the 2023 Christmas special of Doctor Who.
She took part in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing
She was best friends with Freddie Mercury
In her EastEnders heyday she was the second most photographed woman on the planet after Princess Diana
