1. Irene Mary Wetton, better known by her stage name Mary Millar, was an English actress and singer best remembered for her role as the second actress to play Rose in the successful BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances from 1991 to 1995 and for originating the role of Madame Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera.
Irene Mary Wetton was born in Doncaster, England, on 26 July 1936 to Horace and Irene Wetton, both music hall singers.
Mary Millar intended to become a stable hand, but later decided to pursue a stage career.
Mary Millar toured the country with her parents, who had an act called Sweethearts in Harmony.
Mary Millar made her first television appearance in 1953, aged 17, in Those Were the Days.
In 1960, Mary Millar travelled to New York to understudy Julie Andrews in Camelot.
Mary Millar began her West End career in 1962 as Cloris in Lock Up Your Daughters.
In 1986, Mary Millar originated the role of Madame Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera.
Mary Millar played the role for four years and her voice appears on the original cast album.
Mary Millar gained acclaim for her part in Keeping Up Appearances as Rose, replacing Shirley Stelfox for series 2 in 1991 as Stelfox had prior commitments to Making Out.
Mary Millar remained with the programme through to its conclusion in 1995.
From 1997 to 1998, Mary Millar played Mrs Potts in the London production of Beauty and the Beast, and appeared on the cast album composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.
In February 1998, Mary Millar left the show because of deteriorating health.
In January 1998, Mary Millar was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent chemotherapy.