10 Facts About Joyce Blair

Joyce Blair was the younger sister of Lionel Blair, with whom she often performed.

Joyce Blair's father changed the family name to Blair in her youth; he died when Joyce was 12 years old.

Joyce Blair was educated at Cone's School in London, and started her show-business career by singing and tap-dancing in front of captive audiences in London air raid shelters during the Second World War.

Joyce Blair appeared in minor roles in the original London productions of South Pacific in 1951 and Guys and Dolls in 1953, and appeared in off-Broadway musicals and pantomimes.

Joyce Blair appeared in several films, but became well known for her appearances on television in the 1950s and 1960s, in shows such as Morecambe and Wise Show, The Benny Hill Show, The Adventures of Robin Hood, New Look, The Saint and Z-Cars.

Joyce Blair often appeared in dance routines with her brother Lionel until an estrangement in 1977.

Joyce Blair was married three times; first to Edward Lever in 1956; second to Henry Sheridan-Taylor; and third, briefly to an American, with whom she moved to California where she took on television work and did voice-overs.

Joyce Blair was the mother of actress Deborah Sheridan-Taylor, who played Saskia Duncan in EastEnders, and of a son, Adam, who is a photographer.

Joyce Blair died from cancer in Santa Monica, California, aged 73.

Joyce Blair was survived by her brother Lionel and her two children.