Pat Phoenix claimed that she had been born in Galway, although she later stated that she was merely agreeing with something her elderly mother had already told the press.
18 Facts About Pat Phoenix
2.
When Pat Phoenix was eight years old, her father was involved in a car accident; in court, it was revealed that his marriage was bigamous as he had never divorced his first wife, who was living some miles away and who he had been paying maintenance to for many years.
3.
Pat Phoenix later described this period in her life as a "nightmare", saying that "I lost my safe, secure, normal world".
4.
Pat Phoenix joined the Arts Theatre in Manchester and other Northern repertory companies.
5.
Pat Phoenix worked as a writer for ventriloquist Terry Hall and comedian Harry Worth.
6.
Pat Phoenix featured in the programme from 1960 to 1973 and again from 1976 to 1984.
7.
Pat Phoenix left the series for the final time in January 1984, having filmed her last scenes during November 1983, her 60th birthday.
8.
Pat Phoenix's profile gained her a part in the British film The L-Shaped Room in which she played a prostitute and which featured her future husband Anthony Booth in a small role.
9.
Pat Phoenix was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1972 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the set of Coronation Street.
10.
Pat Phoenix later married actor Anthony Booth, the father-in-law of future Prime Minister Tony Blair.
11.
Pat Phoenix wrote two volumes of autobiography; All My Burning Bridges and Love, Curiosity, Freckles and Doubt.
12.
Pat Phoenix was a practising Catholic and a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party, campaigning for Tony Blair at the 1983 general election for him to be elected as the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield where he was returned.
13.
Pat Phoenix campaigned with Booth for former Minister for Technology Tony Benn at the 1984 Chesterfield by-election, which Benn won.
14.
Pat Phoenix owned the Navigation Inn, a pub in Buxworth, Derbyshire.
15.
In March 1986, Pat Phoenix, who smoked 60 cigarettes a day, was diagnosed with lung cancer after collapsing at home.
16.
Pat Phoenix continued to work following her diagnosis, hiding her illness from most people, including her lover Tony Booth.
17.
Pat Phoenix married Booth in the Alexandra Hospital, on 9 September 1986, attracting much media attention.
18.
Since her death, Pat Phoenix has been portrayed by Kym Marsh, Denise Black, Debbie Rush, Sue Johnston, Lynda Rooke and Jodie Prenger and Jessie Wallace in various dramas depicting her life, both on stage and television.