The entertainment world is still mourning the loss of beloved British actress, Pauline Collins, who was widely known for her remarkable role in Shirley Valentine. The Oscar-nominated star passed away peacefully at the age of 85 in her care home in London. Her family confirmed the heartbreaking news in an official statement and remembered her as a ‘bright, witty and vivacious’ person both on and off screen. Amid her death, let’s know about her husband and their married life.

Pauline Collins had a successful marriage of 55 years

Beyond her illustrious acting career, Pauline Collins had a fulfilling personal life. She married her fellow actor, John Alderton, in 1969, and they became one of the most admired partnerships in Hollywood. The couple shared over five decades of togetherness and raised three children, Nicholas, Kate and Richard in Hampstead, London.

Before her marriage to John Alderton, Pauline had a daughter named Louise with actor, Tony Rohr, and she had to make the difficult decision of giving her up for adoption in 1964. Yet, the actress reunited with her after Louise turned 21. Later, Pauline shared her feelings about it in an emotional Letter to Louise. Her family described her as a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Additionally, they also expressed gratitude to her caregivers during her final years.

Who was Pauline Collins’ husband, John Alderton?

Pauline Collins’s husband, John Alderton, was more than just her partner; he was her lifelong supporter. They first met through their acting careers and quickly became inseparable both on and off screen. The couple collaborated on several successful projects, including Upstairs, Downstairs, its spin-off Thomas & Sarah, and the sitcom, No, Honestly.

John, now 84, described his late wife as a ‘remarkable star’. He mentioned that her best performance was being his wife and the mother of their three children. The actor himself had an illustrious acting career beginning with his rise to fame with the 1960s sitcom, Please Sir!. He went on to become the beloved voice behind the children’s show, Fireman Sam. The duo’s on-screen chemistry reflected their real-life affection to the T.

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What was the cause of Pauline Collins’ death?

Pauline Collins was privately battling Parkinson’s disease for several years before her demise. According to her family’s official statement over her demise, she spent her final days surrounded by her loved ones at her care home in Highgate. Although she stepped away from public life in recent years, her kindness, humour and warmth continued to inspire those around her.

More about Pauline Collins’ illustrious acting career

Pauline Collins’ journey in the entertainment industry spanned over six decades. She began her career in the 1960s with appearances in The Liver Birds before becoming a household name with her role as ‘Sarah Moffat’ in the popular ITV drama Upstairs. Downstairs. Notably, her portrayal of a spirited Liverpool housewife in Shirley Valentine in 1989 earned her an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA, and a a Golden Globe Award. The veteran actress had also been a part of London’s West End and Broadway productions of the play. Some of her other popular projects include, Doctor Who, Forever Green, and Calendar Girls.

We express our heartfelt condolences to Pauline Collins’ family in this painful time.