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Last updated on the 26 March 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 19 May 1953, Prestwich, Lancashire, England.Â
Victoria Wood was a British comedian, actress, singer, composer, pianist, screenwriter, producer and director. She was known for her witty and observant humour, her musical talents and her popular television shows and films.
Victoria Wood was born in Prestwich, Lancashire and grew up in Bury. She had a difficult childhood, feeling out of place at school and suffering from low self-esteem. She found solace in music and comedy and began writing songs and sketches at an early age. She attended the University of Birmingham, where she studied drama and met her future collaborator Julie Walters.Â
Wood started her career in 1974 by winning the talent show New Faces. She then worked as a comedy writer and performer for various radio and television shows, such as That’s Life!, The Summer Show and In at the Death. She also appeared on stage in revues and musicals, such as Talent and Nearly a Happy Ending.
In the 1980s, Wood rose to fame with her own sketch series, Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, which won her two BAFTA awards. The show featured her trademark songs, monologues and parodies, as well as the iconic soap opera spoof Acorn Antiques. Wood also created and starred in the successful one-woman show An Audience with Victoria Wood, which was broadcast live on ITV in 1988.
In the 1990s, Wood wrote and co-starred in the television film Pat and Margaret, a comedy-drama about two estranged sisters who reunite after being invited to a TV show. She also wrote and produced the sitcom dinnerladies, which ran for two series and featured a cast of female characters working in a factory canteen. Wood won another BAFTA award for her performance in the show.
In the 2000s, Wood continued to work on various projects, such as the musical Acorn Antiques: The Musical!, the documentary series Victoria’s Empire, and the comedy series Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings. She also wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed television film Housewife, 49, based on the diaries of a woman living during the Second World War. Wood won two more BAFTA awards for her writing and acting in the film.Â
Wood was married to magician Geoffrey Durham from 1980 to 2002 and they had two children, Grace and Henry. Wood was also involved in several charitable causes, such as Comic Relief, Nordoff Robbins and the Lily Foundation. She was appointed a CBE in 2008 for her services to entertainment.
Victoria Wood died of cancer in 2016, aged 62. She was widely mourned and celebrated as one of the most influential and beloved figures in British comedy.
WINNER | Television: Light Entertainment Performance for Victoria Wood As Seen On TV (1986)Â |Â Television: Light Entertainment Performance for An Audience With Victoria Wood (1989) | Television: Single Drama for Housewife, 49 (2007)Â
Suggested viewing
Acorn Antiques (1987)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.0 “Acorn Antiques” is a comedy following the lives of the staff at a quirky antique shop. The show parodies soap operas, with dramatic storylines involving love triangles, amnesia and sudden deaths, all tangled with the day-to-day lives of the eccentric characters. While the shop serves as the central setting, the narrative delves into the personal lives and relationships of the employees, creating humorous situations as they navigate work, love and the unexpected. Top cast: Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Susie Blake, Duncan Preston, Sam Kelly, Maggie Steed, Deborah Grant. |
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.1 “Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV” is a sketch comedy series offering a satirical look at everyday life. Through a variety of characters and situations, often infused with dark humour, the show uses witty dialogue and memorable portrayals to explore social issues and human behavior. From workplace interactions and relationship woes to consumer culture and media parodies, the series serves as a comedic reflection of British society, earning its place as a classic in the genre. Top cast: Victoria Wood, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston, Susie Blake, Rosie Collins, Patricia Routledge, Andrew Livingston, Jim Broadbent, Deborah Grant. |
dinnerladies (1998)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8 Set in the bustling canteen of a factory, this sitcom follows a group of working-class women as they tackle the ups and downs of their daily lives. Through humorous mishaps, gossip and quirky personalities, the show delves into their personal struggles, relationships and unique bond. While the factory backdrop provides context, the heart of the story lies in the women’s journeys, exploring themes of friendship, resilience and finding humour in the face of everyday challenges. Top cast: Victoria Wood, Maxine Peake, Thelma Barlow, Anne Reid, Shobna Gulati, Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Andrew Dunn, Sue Devaney, Julie Walters. |
Housewife, 49 (2005)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8 “Housewife, 49” tells the story of a middle-aged woman trapped in a mundane and unfulfilling domestic routine. The outbreak of World War II disrupts her life, presenting an unexpected opportunity for change. As she joins the war effort, she finds a sense of purpose and connection outside the home, leading to personal growth and a newfound sense of self. The narrative explores themes of self-discovery, resilience and the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Top cast: Victoria Wood, David Threlfall, Ben Crompton, Christopher Harper, Stephanie Cole, Marcia Warren, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Lorraine Ashbourne, Jason Watkins, Daisy Haggard, Dorothy Atkinson. |
Pat and Margaret (1994)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9 Two estranged sisters, one a glamorous actress and the other a down-to-earth cook, are reunited on a television show after decades apart. Despite their contrasting lives and initial awkwardness, they are forced to confront their shared past and complex emotions. As they navigate the media frenzy and their rediscovered connection, they discover surprising truths about themselves and each other, ultimately forging a bond strengthened by their unique experiences. Top cast: Victoria Wood, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston, Thora Hird, Deborah Grant, Don Henderson, Shirley Stelfox, Anne Reid. |
An Audience with Victoria Wood (1988)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3 This British comedy special features Victoria Wood delivering stand-up routines and musical numbers, interspersed with humorous insights into her life and career. The audience, filled with fellow celebrities, adds to the lighthearted atmosphere as she tackles relatable themes like relationships, social awkwardness and the everyday observations that form the foundation of her humour. Starring: Victoria Wood. Questioner’s: Joan Bakewell, Michael Grade, Celia Imrie, Denis Norden, Julie Walters, Maureen Lipman, Patricia Hayes, Elspet Gray, Joan Sims, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Dave Allen, Jane Seymour, Adrian Edmondson, Malcolm McDowell, Judi Dench. |
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Victoria Wood Gallery
