She was a well-liked British television and stage performer. Throughout numerous seasons at Stratford Upon Avon, she performed in the the roles of Goneril in King Lear, Constance in King John, and Queen Margaret in Richard III. Throughout the Second World War she trained in repertory and toured North Africa and Italy performing for the troops.
In 1948 she wedded fellow actor Gregory Moseley.
She appeared in a single season at the Old Vic in 'The Mousetrap', and in 1981 finished her stage career in the production of "Anyone for Denis" at the Whitehall Theatre in London's West End.
She was famous for her portrayal of headmistress Doris Ewell in the LWT comedy series "Please Sir!" , a few years later playing Mrs Pugh Critchley in 'All Gas and Gaiters' (1970-71), additionally as a role in the brief sitcom 'Wild, Wild Women' (1969) and she is also fondly remembered as the partially and more important selectively deaf Mrs. Richards in the 1975 episode of "Fawlty Towers" called ‘Communication Problems.
In After Henry both on the radio (1985-88), and soon after television (1988–92), playing the domineering , mother ,Eleanor of Sarah (Prunella Scales), who lives her in a flat in Sarah's big house.
Her film roles were infrequent, but she is credited in 'The Great Muppet Caper', playing John Cleese's wife, and had a small part in' Prick Up Your Ears', the film biography based on the life of playwright Joe Orton.