Introduction
Barbara Dulcie Lott (15 May 1920 – 19 December 2002) was a British actress probably best remembered as Ronnie Corbett's character's mother, Phyllis Lumsden in the BBC television sitcom Sorry!. She also appeared in Coronation Street, Rings on Their Fingers, Survivors, Z-Cars and as Rona's auntie Pearl in the BBC television sitcom 2point4 Children, amongst others.
Lott was born on 15 May 1920 in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey. Her father, William Lott, was an executive at Ealing Studios and Lott appeared in small roles in films as a child. She studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1937 and joining repertory theatre. In 1940, she married Stuart Latham, who was later a producer of Coronation Street. Lott eventually made her London stage debut in Love for Love at the Haymarket Theatre in 1944. Her first television appearance was as Viola in Twelfth Night in 1950 and she went on to appear frequently on television in small roles. In 1978, she was cast in her first major role in Rings on Their Fingers, in 1981 in Sorry! and in 1992 in an occasional role in 2point4 Children. She appeared in several films, most notably as Ewan McGregor’s mother in The Pillow Book. She died on 19 December 2002 in London, aged 82.
Television roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Survivors | Edith |
| 1978 to 1980 | Rings on Their Fingers | Mrs Bennett |
| 1981 to 1988 | Sorry! | Phyllis Lumsden |
| 1991 to 1999 | 2point4 Children | Auntie Pearl |
| 15 Nov 2000 | The Remorseful Day | Mrs Bayley |
| 2001 to 2003 | Doc Martin | Justine Walker |
Selected filmography
- Let's Be Famous (1939) - Sophie the telephonist (uncredited)
- Three Silent Men (1940) - Nurse
- Brighton Rock (1948) - (uncredited)
- Dilemma (1962) - Nun
- The World Ten Times Over (1963) - Bob's PA (uncredited)
- The Party's Over (1965) - Almoner
- Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1971) - Mrs. Winstanley
- Electric Moon (1992) - Mrs. Ellis
- The Pillow Book (1996) - Jerome's Mother