Hattie Jacques

For over thirty years Hattie Jacques was a familiar presence on radio, television and ?lm. But her stage persona of a buxom, masterful female dragon (the formidable matron of Carry On Nurse was a typical role) could hardly have been more at odds with her off-stage personality. Warm, impetuous and generous to a fault, she was almost pathetically grateful for any show of affection.In 1947 she married the actor John Le Mesurier, who divorced her in 1965. It was, however, typical of her that she actively encouraged Le Mesurier to remarry and the two remained ?rm friends until her death. Hattie involved herself deeply in charity work and became a con?dante to many of the young actors and actresses with whom she worked.This biography has been written with the help and encouragement of Hattie's surviving son and her many friends, including Barbara Windsor, Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee and Joan Le Mesurier.