"Are You Being Served?" Actress Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) Dies at 86 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-01-2009, 03:18 PM

Link

Actress Mollie Sugden has died at the age of 86, her agent has said.

The TV star, best known for playing Mrs Slocombe in long-running BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, died at the Royal Surrey Hospital after a long illness.

The Yorkshire-born actress's twin sons, Robin and Simon Moore, were at her bedside, agent Joan Reddin said.

David Croft, one of the writers of Are You Being Served?, remembered her as a "marvellous character" who would never turn down chances to make people laugh.

"She would never refuse any sort of comedy situation no matter how undignified it was she would always go along with it. She was marvellously funny," he said.

Ms Reddin, who began representing Sugden in the 1960s, said the actress has become a "very close friend".

"She had had a long illness and various problems but it was very quick in the end. Her twin boys were with her and she faded away.

"She was a lovely, lovely person and I never had any trouble with her. She was a great professional."

After training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Sugden served a long apprenticeship in repertory theatre before television gave her a taste of fame.

She appeared in the comedy series Hugh and I in 1962 and Coronation Street as the gossiping Nellie Harvey.

But it was The Liver Birds that enabled her to make her first real impact, as Nerys Hughes' snobbish mother

Retro4Life · 07-01-2009, 04:08 PM

Awww, that's too bad. I really enjoyed Mollie in AYBS and it's spinoff AYBS...Again.

Thanks for a lot of laughs, Mollie.

LeeBlue · 07-01-2009, 04:10 PM

This is very sad news -- Mrs. Slocombe has brightened up many days for me -- R.I.P. Mollie.

Jude The Obscure · 07-01-2009, 04:11 PM

and another celeb passing in less than a week.....

I loved her and her witty comebacks!

Marvo301 · 07-01-2009, 05:43 PM

Mollie was great on AYBS and it's spinoff AYBS Again (aka Grace and Favour). I loved her for her wiilingness to do anything for a laugh. She was a great sport and a wonderfully talented comedienne.

Mollie

80sTrivia · 07-01-2009, 07:03 PM

Goodbye, Mrs. Slocombe!!!

catlover79 · 07-01-2009, 07:49 PM

Marvo301 · 07-01-2009, 08:27 PM

Name: slocombe.jpg
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Mollie Sugden displays the many hair colors of Mrs. Slocombe.

Retro4Life · 07-01-2009, 09:02 PM

Great pics Marv! I almost forgot about that running gag!

DLevine2 · 07-02-2009, 06:35 PM

R.I.P.- Mollie

07-01-2009, 03:18 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,393	"Are You Being Served?" Actress Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) Dies at 86 Link Actress Mollie Sugden has died at the age of 86, her agent has said. The TV star, best known for playing Mrs Slocombe in long-running BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, died at the Royal Surrey Hospital after a long illness. The Yorkshire-born actress's twin sons, Robin and Simon Moore, were at her bedside, agent Joan Reddin said. David Croft, one of the writers of Are You Being Served?, remembered her as a "marvellous character" who would never turn down chances to make people laugh. "She would never refuse any sort of comedy situation no matter how undignified it was she would always go along with it. She was marvellously funny," he said. Ms Reddin, who began representing Sugden in the 1960s, said the actress has become a "very close friend". "She had had a long illness and various problems but it was very quick in the end. Her twin boys were with her and she faded away. "She was a lovely, lovely person and I never had any trouble with her. She was a great professional." After training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Sugden served a long apprenticeship in repertory theatre before television gave her a taste of fame. She appeared in the comedy series Hugh and I in 1962 and Coronation Street as the gossiping Nellie Harvey. But it was The Liver Birds that enabled her to make her first real impact, as Nerys Hughes' snobbish mother
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-01-2009, 04:08 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Awww, that's too bad. I really enjoyed Mollie in AYBS and it's spinoff AYBS...Again. Thanks for a lot of laughs, Mollie.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

07-01-2009, 04:10 PM	#3
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	"Are You Being Served?" Actress Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) Dies at 86 This is very sad news -- Mrs. Slocombe has brightened up many days for me -- R.I.P. Mollie.

07-01-2009, 05:43 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Mollie was great on AYBS and it's spinoff AYBS Again (aka Grace and Favour). I loved her for her wiilingness to do anything for a laugh. She was a great sport and a wonderfully talented comedienne. Mollie
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-01-2009, 07:03 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Goodbye, Mrs. Slocombe!!!
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07-01-2009, 04:11 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	and another celeb passing in less than a week..... I loved her and her witty comebacks!

07-01-2009, 07:49 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-01-2009, 08:27 PM	#8
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Mollie Sugden displays the many hair colors of Mrs. Slocombe.

07-01-2009, 09:02 PM	#9
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Great pics Marv! I almost forgot about that running gag!

07-02-2009, 06:35 PM	#10
DLevine2 DLevine2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2006 Location: Fayetteville, Ga. Posts: 2,961	R.I.P.- Mollie