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Hi-De-Hi star on X Factor and being a style icon
SHE'S been a showbiz star for more than 30 years, and now Su Pollard is thrilled to be hailed as a fashion icon.
"I keep getting stopped in the street all the time and being asked to pose for a photo," said the 59-year-old actress.
"I find it bewildering and it seems a bit vacuous to actually have to stand or fall by your dress sense, but equally, I feel vindicated to be regarded as a fashion icon."
Always known for her flamboyant and unconventional style, Su made headlines earlier this year when she was snapped wearing a miniskirt while shopping in North London.
"A miniskirt on the verge of being 60?" said Su. "Never! I hear you say. Well, why ever not? I mean people wear shorts so I don't see the difference. It's absolutely shallow.'
Su – and her unique sense of style – will be coming to Sunderland later this month when she reprises her role as the tyrannical orphanage boss Miss Agatha Hannigan in Annie.
"It's a good part to play," she said. "She's quite evil because she wants to get revenge on the kids, I mean she'd probably kill them all if she could – just to free herself from her hideous life."
But, insists Su, she's not all bad. "I think she's quite misunderstood, you know.
"She wanted every good thing for herself in life but unfortunately fell on hard times. She's now looking after this orphanage with these terrible, snotty children who drive her to distraction."
The role is also strangely liberating for Su.
"It's fantastic to play a part you don't have to glam up for," she explained.
"She's always dirty, and has fleas and nits because she doesn't wash. The preparation for the part couldn't be simpler.
"Miss Hannigan is meant to look thrown together, so it takes me all of five minutes to put my make-up on.
"And I've got this wonderful wig that I kick about the dressing room on a regular basis to break it down."
Su is also convinced the heart-warming tale of the world's favourite orphan will strike a chord with audiences.
"It's relevant to today's society, because we're in the midst of a recession at the moment, and Annie is set during the Great Depression."
Although Su will always be fondly remembered by millions of television viewers as scatter-brained chalet-maid, Peggy Ollerenshaw in the Bafta award-winning sit-com Hi-De-Hi, she made her first television appearance on Opportunity Knocks back in 1974.
However, she is not a great fan of today's talent shows, such as Britain's Got Talent and X-Factor.
"I preferred the old format, it was simply a case of going out there, showing your talent and finding out whether you could come back next week or not," explained Su.
"These days every contestant is padded out with sentimentality and sob stories.
"I think we British love to see a talented amateur plucked from obscurity and become the sensation of the year, a bit like Susan Boyle.
"The tabloid press, however, would rather see them crash and burn and end up lying in an alley by a trash can. That makes a great story and much better reading."
Su also reveals she'd be apprehensive if asked to co-star with a performer who had been fast-tracked via one of today's talent shows.
"The prospect of starting from scratch with someone and having to haul them up by their bootstraps would be a bit daunting and I'd worry about whether they could actually sustain the demands of the contract," she said.
"But if I thought they were worth it, and could see talent, I'd be more than happy to bring my experience to bear and help them."
Su is still often referred to as 'Peggy' when recognised in the street by the public. And, she has a whole new generation of fans thanks to repeat showings of Hi-De-Hi on cable and satellite channels.
"There's a school near where I live and the little ones come and knock on my door, asking if Peggy's in," said Su.
"I tell them she's off cleaning chalets but might be around tomorrow. When they come back, I make sure I've got my Peggy gear on, and you should see their little faces light up."
Although happy to reprise the role of Peggy for the neighbourhood kids, Su would be reluctant to do it again for the small screen.
She said: "When programmes are resurrected they aren't always greeted with the same enthusiasm as they originally were."
Su will be 60 this November, and, unsurprisingly, has no plans to grow old gracefully in a cardigan.
"Turning 60 doesn't actually bother me, in fact, I can't wait. I get free prescriptions, a bus pass and a pension . . . I'm so excited. And, as long as I wake up healthy each morning I'm happy."
Annie is at the Sunderland Empire from Tuesday, August 25 until Saturday, August 29 Evenings at 7.30pm, Matinees (Wed & Sat) at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost from 10 to 26. To book call 0844 847 2499 or log on to www.SunderlandEmpire.org.uk
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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