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Linda Regan
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Linda Regan (born 5 November 1949),[3] born Linda Mary Drinkwater, is a British actress and author, who has appeared on television, film, radio and on stage. She is best known for her role as yellowcoat April Wingate in the British holiday camp sitcom Hi-de-Hi!.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Born in Brixton, London, Regan is a daughter of bandleader and agent Peter Regan (born Peter Albert Drinkwater) and Phyllis McCormack, an Irish nurse; Regan's older sister is the actress and writer Carol Drinkwater.[4][2] They moved to Rochester, before settling in Bromley when Regan was five. Regan often helped her father while entertaining, such as helping with Punch and Judy and balloon modelling. After leaving school, Regan attended the Worcester Repertory Company.[5]
Career
[edit] |
Regan made her television debut in 1970, in an episode of the ITV sitcom On the Buses. Shortly after, she appeared in the film version of the same name. This was followed by roles in programmes such as Doctor at Large, Softly, Softly: Task Force, Special Branch and Dixon of Dock Green. She was also the stunt double for Katy Manning's Jo Grant in the Doctor Who episode "Carnival of Monsters" in 1973.[6] In the mid-1970s, Regan appeared in several sex comedy films including Carry On England, Confessions of a Pop Performer and Adventures of a Private Eye. She also appeared in the films A Private Enterprise (1974), The Hiding Place (1975) and Quadrophenia (1979) and had a main role in the hospital drama General Hospital from 1976 to 1977. Regan appeared in the first episode of the drama series Minder in 1979 starring George Cole and Dennis Waterman and played a Swedish pop star in Bergerac, before having a role in the film The Hit (1984) with John Hurt and Terence Stamp. She followed this with a main role in the holiday camp sitcom Hi-de-Hi! as April, a character she would play from 1984 until the show's end in 1988, appearing in a total of twenty-four episodes.
After appearances in Birds of a Feather, thriller Framed and the crime drama The Knock, Regan starred in five episodes of The Bill before appearing as Harry's mother in all 4 series of children's drama series Harry and Cosh from 1999 to 2003. She continues her career on both stage and screen, including Holby City, Doctors and Run for Your Wife, as well as appearing in several short films and commercials, and writing award-winning crime novels.[4] Regan was in two episodes of podcast sitcom Barmy Dale in 2023 and played alongside her husband Brian Murphy as the mayor of Barmy Dale Felicity Palmer[citation needed].
Personal life
[edit]Regan was married to actor Brian Murphy from 1995[7] until his death in 2025.[8] She had two stepsons from his previous marriage.[9]
She is dyslexic and was not encouraged at school but wrote stories from a young age. Just before her first book was published, in 2005, she was kidnapped at knifepoint and forced into a car, later jumping from the vehicle to escape. Soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer, which she believes was caused by her kidnap ordeal; she overcame the disease.[5]
A dog lover since childhood, Regan runs her own blog in which she communicates with other dog owners.[10]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | On the Buses | Pretty Girl on Bus | |
| 1973 | Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall | Girl at Dance | |
| 1974 | Keep It Up, Jack | Gloria | |
| 1974 | A Private Enterprise | Eve | |
| 1975 | The Hiding Place | Prostitute | |
| 1975 | Confessions of a Pop Performer | Brenda Climax | |
| 1976 | Carry On England | A.T.S. Private Taylor | |
| 1977 | Hardcore | Secretary | |
| 1977 | Adventures of a Private Eye | Clarissa | |
| 1979 | Quadrophenia | Chief Rocker Girl | |
| 1984 | The Hit | Madame Isabella | |
| 1999 | Janice Beard | ||
| 1999 | Holding On | Pru | |
| 2003 | The Last Horror Movie | Terri | |
| 2004 | Let Go | Susan | |
| 2012 | Blitz and Bananas | Emily Spratt | |
| 2012 | Run for Your Wife | Allotment woman | Cameo |
| 2016 | After Hours | Shirley | |
| 2018 | The Vampire of Soho | Beryl |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Z Cars | Factory Girl | Episode: "Stop Over: Part 1" |
| 1970 | Carry On Christmas | Island Girl | TV film |
| 1970 | On the Buses | Edna | Episode: "Christmas Duty" |
| 1971 | Doctor at Large | Schoolgirl | Episode: "Doctor Dish" |
| 1971 | Softly, Softly: Task Force | Girl in Lorry | Episode: "Copper Wire" |
| 1972 | Engelbert with the Young Generation | Girl in Film Sequence | Episode: "#1.11" |
| 1972 | Doctor in Charge | Girl at Dance | Episode: "The Taming of the Wolf" |
| 1972 | Villains | Young Woman | Episode: "Belinda" |
| 1973 | Special Branch | Episode: "Red Herring" | |
| 1974 | Seven Faces of Woman | Barbara | Episode: "Polly Put the Kettle On" |
| 1975 | Dixon of Dock Green | Liz Rowley | Episode: "On a Moody Complaint" |
| 1975 | Scene | Polly | Episode: "Because I Said So" |
| 1976 | Barney's Last Battle | Lily Ayres | TV film |
| 1976-1977 | General Hospital | Susan | 3 episodes |
| 1977 | ITV Playhouse | Valerie | Episode: "The Proofing Session" |
| 1978 | Z Cars | Woman at Bus Stop | Episode: "A Woman's Place" |
| 1979 | Minder | Liz | Episode: "Gunfight at the O.K. Laundrette" |
| 1980 | The Gentle Touch | Marilyn | Episode: "Break-In" |
| 1982 | Kelly Monteith | Episode: #4.1 | |
| 1984 | Bergerac | Gudrun Olfsberg | Episode: "A Cry in the Night" |
| 1984–1988 | Hi-de-Hi! | April | 24 episodes |
| 1985 | Dempsey and Makepeace | Gloria | Episode: "Blind Eye" |
| 1985 | C.A.T.S. Eyes | Naval Computer Operator | Episode: "Something Nasty Down Below" |
| 1985 | Lost in London | Rosey | TV film |
| 1986 | C.A.T.S. Eyes | Amber | Episode: "Hit List" |
| 1988 | Comic Relief | Hospital Patient | TV special |
| 1988 | The Bill | Burnside's Girlfriend | Episode: "Snout" |
| 1991 | Birds of a Feather | Annie | Episode: "We'll Always Have Majorca" |
| 1992 | The Bill | Building Society Manageress | Episode: "Sympathy for the Devil" |
| 1992 | Framed | Mrs Minton | Episode: #1.2 |
| 1992 | Fool's Gold: The Story of the Brink's-Mat Robbery | Brenda Noye | TV film |
| 1992 | The Linda Calvey Story | Linda Calvey | TV film |
| 1993 | Over the Rainbow | Jenny | Episode: "The House of the Rising Sun" |
| 1994 | The Detectives | Barmaid | Episode: "Witness" |
| 1994 | The Bill | Pub Manageress | Episode: "Pals" |
| 1994 | The Knock | June | 3 episodes |
| 1994 | Hale and Pace | Wife in Hospital | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Ghostbusters of East Finchley | Prostitute | Episode: #1.1 |
| 1997 | The Bill | Lizzie Byrne | Episode: "Age Gaps" |
| 1998 | Barmaid | Episode: "Like Family" | |
| 1999–2003 | Harry and Cosh | Harry's Mother | All 45 episodes |
| 2000 | London's Burning | Ivy | Episode: #12.6 |
| 2001 | Men Only | Aerobics Teacher | TV film |
| 2004 | Doctors | Noreen Topper | Episode: "What the Doctor Saw" |
| 2004 | Billie: Girl of the Future | Barbara | Episode: #1.4 |
| 2005 | Tittybangbang | Various | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2007 | Holby City | Polly Hunter | Episode: "Past Imperfect" |
| 2014 | Doctors | Hilary Cavendish | Episode: "Good Guys" |
| 2023 | Eggheads | Linda Regan | Episode 2000 |
| 2023-2025 | Barmy Dale | Felicity Palmer | Series 3 topPresent |
Writing
[edit]- Behind You!. (2006 or 2007). Creme de La Crime. ISBN 0-9551589-2-3. ISBN 978-0-9551589-2-6.
- Dead Like Her. (5 February 2007). Creme de La Crime. ISBN 0-9557078-8-9. ISBN 978-0-9557078-8-9.
- Passion Killers. (2008). Creme de La Crime. ISBN 0-9551589-8-2. ISBN 978-0-9551589-8-8.
- Brotherhood of Blades. (28 July 2011). Creme de La Crime. ISBN 1-78029-009-8. ISBN 978-1-78029-009-6.
- Street Girls. (28 March 2012). Creme De La Crime.
- Guts for Garters. (March 2015). Accent Press.
- SisterHoods. (December 2016). Accent Press.
- The Terror Within. (December 2019). Accent Press.
References
[edit]- ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Enjoying the rich harvest". Independent.ie. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Byroc Play Productions Limited - Company Information - Endole". www.endole.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ a b Maxford, Howard (2018). Hammer Complete: The Films, the Personnel, the Company. McFarland. p. 677. ISBN 978-1476670072.
She is married to the actor Brian Murphy (1932 - ), whom she wed in 1995... Her father is the bandleader and agent Peter Regan (real name Peter Albert Drinkwater) and her sister is the actress and writer Carol Drinkwater (1948 - ).
- ^ a b Sturt, Sarah. "Bromley star Linda Regan-Murphy". Kent Life.
- ^ Doctor Who Guide. "Doctor Who Guide: Linda Regan". Doctor Who Guide.
- ^ "'Allo 'Allo star dies". 4 August 2002 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Dixon, Stephen (4 February 2025). "Brian Murphy Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ "Brian Murphy, actor best known for George and Mildred, dies aged 92". The Guardian. Press Association. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ "Home". Canines in Kent.
External links
[edit]
Linda Regan
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Linda Regan (born 5 November 1949) is a British actress and crime fiction author renowned for her extensive work across television, film, theatre, and literature.[1] She gained prominence for her role as the glamorous yellowcoat April Wingate in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, appearing from 1984 to 1988 across multiple series and Christmas specials.[2][3]
Born Linda Mary Drinkwater in London to a comedy magician, agent, and band leader, Regan began her acting career early, leaving school to perform in repertory theatre, where she tackled roles ranging from Shakespeare to farce.[1] Her breakthrough in comedy came with appearances in films like Confessions of a Pop Performer (1975) as Brenda Climax and Carry On England (1976) as Pte. Taylor, followed by guest spots in series such as Minder (1979) and Birds of a Feather (1991).[2] She also worked with prestigious ensembles, including a West End production of Tom Stoppard's Dirty Linen and the Royal Shakespeare Company.[1] In 1995, she married actor Brian Murphy, her co-star from Hi-de-Hi!, with whom she remained until his death on 2 February 2025.[1][4]
Transitioning to writing in the 2000s, Regan has authored police procedural crime novels featuring South London-based detectives, drawing on her local knowledge for authentic settings.[5] Her DI Banham and Sergeant Alison Grainger series includes titles such as Behind You (2006), Secret Remains (2007), Killer Looks (2009), The Terror Within (2019), and The Burning Question (2022), with earlier works reissued under alternate titles.[4] She has also penned the DI Georgia Johnson series—Guts for Garters (2015) and Sisterhoods (2016)—and the standalone novel Street Girls (2012).[4] Recent acting credits include roles in BBC's Doctors and the short film After Hours (2016).[6]
Biography
Early life
Linda Regan was born Linda Mary Drinkwater on 5 November 1949 in Brixton, London.[1] She is the daughter of Peter Regan, a bandleader, comedy magician, and variety agent, and an Irish nurse.[7][8] Her sister is actress and author Carol Drinkwater.[9] The family relocated from Brixton to Rochester when Regan was two years old, before settling in Bromley at age five.[8] Regan's early exposure to entertainment came through her father's profession in comedy and music; by age three, she assisted him by passing puppets during his Punch and Judy performances at holiday camps.[8] After leaving school at an early age, she began her acting training with an apprenticeship at the Worcester Repertory Company at 16, performing stand-up comedy and theatre.[8]Personal life
Linda Regan married actor Brian Murphy on 14 March 1995, after meeting him during a theatre production in 1990; the couple shared a close partnership marked by mutual support until Murphy's death.[10][8] Murphy passed away on 2 February 2025 at their home in Kent from bone cancer, which had been diagnosed the previous month; Regan was by his side during his final days, receiving palliative care.[11][12] Regan became a stepmother to Murphy's two sons from his previous marriage, integrating into a blended family while prioritizing their shared domestic life.[13] The couple enjoyed routines such as cooking together and watching films, reflecting a balanced lifestyle that Regan has described as deeply fulfilling despite the demands of their professions.[11] Regan has openly discussed her dyslexia, which she experienced from childhood and which impacted her confidence in writing despite her early storytelling efforts; she was not formally encouraged in school but persisted in her creative pursuits.[8][14] In 2005, she survived a harrowing kidnapping at knifepoint, during which an assailant forced her into her car; she escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle, an ordeal that profoundly affected her emotionally and creatively.[8] Soon afterward, Regan was diagnosed with cancer, which she attributes to the stress of the incident; she underwent treatment while pursuing an MA in creative writing and successfully recovered.[8][11] A lifelong dog enthusiast, Regan owns multiple dogs, including several rescues, and frequently shares her experiences walking them in Kent's countryside.[8] She maintains a dedicated blog, Canines in Kent, where she posts about dog care, local pet-friendly spots, and lifestyle tips for animal owners.[5] Regan and Murphy purchased a historic 17th-century cottage in Bromley, Kent—the oldest house in the area, previously associated with figures like Enid Blyton—in the 1990s, choosing the location to remain close to her family roots after her father's passing.[8] The couple sold the property around 2018 and relocated to another home near Bromley, where they resided until Murphy's death in 2025.[15][16][11] In interviews, she has reflected on achieving work-life balance in later years by embracing a quieter, countryside-adjacent routine that allows time for writing, pets, and personal recovery.[16][11]Professional career
Acting career
Linda Regan began her professional acting career in 1970 with a television debut in an episode of the ITV sitcom On the Buses, followed by an appearance in the film's version of the series.[10] She started in repertory theatre after leaving school early and performing in club comedy, taking on roles ranging from Shakespeare to farce across various UK theatres.[10] In the mid-1970s, she appeared in sex comedy films, including the role of A.T.S. Private Taylor in Carry On England (1976).[17] These early credits marked her entry into British comedy cinema, blending physical performance with comedic timing.[6] Regan's breakthrough came in the 1980s with her role as Yellowcoat April Wingate in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, appearing in 24 episodes from 1984 to 1988. This part, as a bubbly holiday camp entertainer and eventual girlfriend to the character Spike Dixon, established her as a staple in light-hearted sitcom comedy, showcasing her ability to convey playful innocence amid ensemble dynamics.[18] During this period, she also featured in the cult film Quadrophenia (1979) as the Chief Rocker Girl, an uncredited role that captured the rebellious spirit of the 1960s mod and rocker subcultures through her portrayal of a tough, leather-clad figure. These roles highlighted her versatility, transitioning from supporting film parts to prominent television comedy. In the later stages of her career, Regan took on a recurring role as Harry's mother in the BAFTA-nominated children's series Harry and Cosh (1999–2003), appearing across all five series to depict family dynamics in a teen-oriented drama. Her work extended to over 100 television and film credits, encompassing stage productions in the West End—such as Tom Stoppard's Dirty Linen—and radio dramas on BBC Radio 4, where she served as a repertory actress in 1995, voicing diverse characters in comedies and plays.[19] Overcoming dyslexia, which she has described as a childhood challenge that led teachers to underestimate her, Regan developed adaptive techniques for memorizing scripts, enabling her shift from early stunt and ensemble work to lead comedic roles.[14] More recently, she guest-starred as Mayoress Palmer in the podcast sitcom Barmy Dale (2023 series), sharing the cast with her husband Brian Murphy shortly before his death in February 2025, reflecting on their collaborative professional life in interviews following the loss.[2]Writing career
Linda Regan began her writing career in the early 2000s while continuing her acting work, marking a transition prompted by a traumatic personal experience. In 2005, she was kidnapped at knifepoint in South London, an incident in which she escaped by jumping from a moving vehicle; this event inspired her to channel her longstanding interest in storytelling into crime fiction.[16][8][20] Her novels primarily focus on the crime genre, particularly police procedurals featuring detective characters such as DCI Paul Banham and DI Alison Grainger, often set in gritty South London environments. Drawing from real-life influences like gang territories and urban crime, her works incorporate elements of suspense, murder investigations, and occasional theatrical settings reflective of her acting background, blending procedural detail with character-driven narratives.[21][14][22] Regan's debut novel, Behind You!, was published in 2006 by Crème de la Crime after she entered their 2003 international talent search for new writers. The book introduces the Banham series with a plot centered on a murderer stalking actors during a pantomime production. She has since authored over ten books, including the Banham series entries Passion Killers (2007), which explores a strip club murder and wrongful imprisonment, and Dead Like Her (2009), involving drug-running and people-trafficking; standalone novels like Brotherhood of Blades (2013) on gang warfare; standalone novel Street Girls (2012); and the DI Georgia Johnson series, including Guts for Garters (2015) and Sisterhoods (2016), depicting girl gangs and community conflicts. Her most recent publication as of 2025 is The Burning Question (2022), featuring an arsonist targeting women in London.[21][4][22][23] Regan's writing has received positive recognition through reviews, including praise from crime author Colin Dexter, who described Passion Killers as a "skilful and fascinating WhoDunnit." While no major awards such as those from the Crime Writers' Association are documented, her novels have been noted for their authentic portrayal of London crime and engaging plots in outlets like Mystery People magazine.[22] Despite being dyslexic and lacking formal academic encouragement in her youth, Regan is self-taught as a writer, having composed stories from a young age. She collaborates closely with publishers like Crème de la Crime for editing and development, and draws on her acting experience to craft vivid character dialogues and motivations, enhancing the realism in her detective ensembles.[24][21]Filmography
Films
Linda Regan's film appearances span a variety of genres, from British sex comedies and war dramas in the 1970s to more recent independent productions, often featuring her in supporting or character roles that highlight her versatility in comedic and dramatic contexts.[6] Her notable early credits include uncredited and minor parts that marked her entry into cinema, such as the pretty girl on the bus in the comedy On the Buses (1971), a role emphasizing everyday British humor.[25] She followed with a brief appearance as a girl at the dance in the semi-autobiographical war comedy Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (1973).[26] In the sex comedy Keep It Up, Jack (1974), she played Gloria, contributing to the film's lighthearted, risqué tone.[27] Continuing into the mid-1970s, Regan portrayed a German prostitute in the historical drama The Hiding Place (1975), a role tied to the film's World War II narrative of Dutch resistance.[6] She took on the comedic character of Brenda Climax in Confessions of a Pop Performer (1975), part of the popular Confessions series known for its bawdy humor. In Carry On England (1976), she appeared as A.T.S. Private Taylor, embodying the series' signature slapstick military satire.[28] Her role as Clarissa in the sex comedy Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) further showcased her in the era's cheeky genre films. Regan's dramatic turn came with the role of Chief Rocker Girl (uncredited) in the youth culture film Quadrophenia (1979), capturing the mod-rocker clashes of 1960s Britain.[29] She played Madame Isabella, a minor but memorable part in the crime thriller The Hit (1984), involving underworld intrigue.[30] In Lost in London (1985), she portrayed Rosey, adding to the film's chaotic comedy of errors.[31] Later credits include Brenda Noye in the true-crime drama Fool's Gold: The Story of the Brink's-Mat Robbery (1992), focusing on a major heist.[31] She appeared as Susan in the independent comedy Janice Beard 45 RPM (1999).[32] In The Last Horror Movie (2003), Regan played Terri, a supporting role in the meta-horror genre.[30] She reprised a similar name as Susan in the short drama Let Go (2004).[6] In the 2010s, Regan featured as the allotment woman (also listed as gardener) in the farce Run for Your Wife (2012), a comedic misunderstanding plot.[6] She portrayed Emily Spratt in the family comedy Blitz and Bananas (2012). Her role as Shirley in the thriller After Hours (2016) involved tense urban scenarios.[1] In The Vampire of Soho (2018), she played Beryl, contributing to the horror-comedy elements.[1] More recent works include the mother of a teenage knife victim in the awareness short Stop Knife Crime (year unspecified, circa 2010s), highlighting social issues through dramatic performance.[6] As of 2025, no major feature films post-2018 have been credited, though she continues in other media.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | On the Buses | Pretty Girl on Bus | Uncredited; comedic bus passenger in ensemble film.[25] |
| 1973 | Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall | Girl at Dance | Minor dance scene role in war satire.[26] |
| 1974 | Keep It Up, Jack | Gloria | Supporting in sex comedy.[27] |
| 1975 | The Hiding Place | German Prostitute | Dramatic WWII supporting role.[6] |
| 1975 | Confessions of a Pop Performer | Brenda Climax | Comedic character in Confessions series. |
| 1976 | Carry On England | A.T.S. Private Taylor | Military comedy in Carry On franchise.[28] |
| 1977 | Adventures of a Private Eye | Clarissa | Risqué comedy supporting role. |
| 1979 | Quadrophenia | Chief Rocker Girl | Uncredited; dramatic youth subculture film.[29] |
| 1984 | The Hit | Madame Isabella | Minor role in crime thriller.[30] |
| 1985 | Lost in London | Rosey | Comedy of errors.[31] |
| 1992 | Fool's Gold: The Story of the Brink's-Mat Robbery | Brenda Noye | True-crime drama.[31] |
| 1999 | Janice Beard 45 RPM | Susan | Independent comedy.[32] |
| 2003 | The Last Horror Movie | Terri | Supporting in mockumentary horror.[30] |
| 2004 | Let Go | The Box Office Attendant | Short drama role.[33] |
| 2012 | Run for Your Wife | Allotment Woman/Gardener | Farce comedy.[6] |
| 2012 | Blitz and Bananas | Emily Spratt | Family-oriented comedy. |
| 2016 | After Hours | Shirley | Thriller supporting.[1] |
| 2018 | The Vampire of Soho | Beryl | Horror-comedy.[1] |
| c.2010s | Stop Knife Crime | Mother of Teenage Knife Victim | Social issue short film.[6] |