Pauline Collins, Star of Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85

auline Collins, the beloved British actress best known for her iconic role in Shirley Valentine, has died at the age of 85.
Her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully at her care home in London, surrounded by loved ones, after living with Parkinson’s disease for several years.

Collins earned international acclaim for portraying Shirley Valentine in Lewis Gilbert’s award-winning 1989 film, adapted from Willy Russell’s celebrated stage play. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, as well as the Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Best Actress.

Family Statement: “She Was So Many Things to So Many People”

In a heartfelt message, Collins’ family described her as:

• “bright, sparky, witty,”

• “a loving mum, wonderful grandma and great-grandma,”

• and actor John Alderton’s “life-long love.”

They thanked her caregivers for providing “dignity, compassion, and love,” and asked for privacy as they process “a life without her.”

“She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye,” the family shared. “We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers — joyful, full of energy, and utterly unforgettable.”

John Alderton: “She Was a Remarkable Star”

Collins’ husband, actor John Alderton, issued a separate tribute, calling her “a remarkable star” whose talent uplifted everyone she worked with.

“What I saw was not only her brilliant range of characters, but her ability to bring out the best in others,” he said.
He added that it was no surprise she was voted the nation’s sweetheart in the 1970s.

Alderton also reflected on the legacy of Shirley Valentine, noting that Collins “clean-swept seven major awards” for the role when she performed it solo on Broadway.

Shirley Valentine: A Defining Role

Collins first played Shirley Valentine on stage in London’s West End in 1988, earning the Olivier Award for Best Actress.
She brought the role to Broadway the following year, winning a series of prestigious theater awards before reprising it in the film version.

Shirley Valentine tells the story of a middle-aged Liverpool housewife whose life changes when she takes an unexpected holiday to Greece, discovering passion, freedom, and a renewed sense of self.

The role remains one of the most celebrated female performances in modern British cinema.

Collins last acted in The Time of Their Lives, a road trip comedy film co-starring Joan Collins in 2017

Early Life and Career

Born in Exmouth, Devon, in 1940 and raised near Liverpool, Collins began her professional life as a teacher.
Her love for the stage quickly drew her toward acting, where she gained attention for roles in:

• The Liver Birds (1969), playing Dawn

• Five episodes of Doctor Who

• The hit series Upstairs, Downstairs, acting alongside Alderton

• The film City of Joy (1991) with Patrick Swayze

• Bleak House (2005) and Dickensian (2015)

• Quartet (2012), starring with Dame Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon

Her film debut came in Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966), and she continued to work steadily across stage, television, and film for decades.

Collins’ final screen appearance was in the 2017 comedy road-trip film The Time of Their Lives, co-starring Joan Collins.

A Legacy That Endures

Pauline Collins leaves behind a powerful artistic legacy marked by emotional depth, humor, and authenticity.
Her work as Shirley Valentine continues to resonate with audiences, offering a timeless portrait of resilience and self-discovery.

Her family remembers her as “warm, generous, funny, wise,” and hopes the public will continue to celebrate her life’s work with the same admiration she inspired throughout her career.