Hilary Pritchard (1942–1996) was a Manx stage, film and television actress, who, according to her obituary in The Stage, was "at one time known as the British Goldie Hawn."Peter Hepple, 'Obituaries: Hilary Pritchard', The Stage, 19 December 1996, p. 33.
Career She was educated at St Ninian's High School, Douglas and trained as a dancer with Monica Mudie, founder of the Manx Ballet Club. Having completed three years with the Ballet Rambert, she began her acting career in regional rep at Windsor in 1960, followed by similar engagements at Scarborough, Carlisle and York, several of which involved being a choreographer.'News of Island's Ballet Pupils', Isle of Man Daily Times, 7 November 1961, p. 12.
On television she became very popular as a performer in the comic mini-sketches included in the BBC consumer programme Braden's Week (1970–72), as well as appearing in such shows as The Avengers (1969), Doctor at Large (1971), Whoops Baghdad (1973), Are You Being Served? (three episodes, 1973–76) and Tropic (six episodes, 1979). She also played Daphne Bentwater from the typing pool and Sir Gregory Pitkin's paramour in the BBC Radio comedy The Men from the Ministry (1973–77).
On stage, she made her West End debut in 1974, playing Frances Hunter in the long-running farce No Sex Please, We're British.'Chit Chat', The Stage, 20 June 1974, p. 19. Subsequently she appeared in several regional tours, playing opposite Leslie Phillips in To Dorothy, a Son (1976), Trevor Bannister in The Mating Game (1977), Kenneth Connor in Sextet (1978) and Patrick Macnee in The Grass is Greener (1979).https://theatricalia.com/person/nse/hilary-pritchard
Her film credits included the Ronnie Barker vehicle Futtocks End (1970) and sex comedies like She'll Follow You Anywhere (1971) and Under the Doctor (1976). She was also hired to provide the voice of Princess Yum-Yum in The Thief and the Cobbler, though the decades-long gestation of that project involved her eventually being replaced by Sara Crowe.
She died in 1996, aged 54.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1970Futtocks EndThe Bird1971She'll Follow You AnywhereDiane SimpsonAKA, Passion Potion1974The Over-Amorous ArtistBevAKA, Just One More Time1974All I Want Is You... and You... and You...Freda Donohue1976Under the DoctorLady Victoria Stockbridge1977Adventures of a Private EyeSally1979Miss FunnypennyAKA, No Secrets!
Television Year Title Role Notes1964CrossroadsZelda HayeTV series1968Mazie"Broadway"1968B and BTara Gordon"Anniversary Schmaltz"1968Nanni"Man of Letters"1969Circe"Take-Over"1969As Good Cooks GoSusan"A Good Pull Up for Bentleys"1969Karen Bergmann"How to Lose Friends and Not Influence People"1970Comedy PlayhouseRuxton"Meter Maids"1970Department SLydia"Spencer Bodily Is Sixty Years Old"1970Fraud SquadLiz Simms"Whizz Kid"1970Dixon of Dock GreenCordelia"Shadows"1971Comedy PlayhouseMary"Equal Partners"1971Doctor at LargeTanya"Saturday Matinee"1971From a Bird's Eye ViewYvonne"I Too Was a Novice"1971Bachelor FatherBarbara"Woman About the House"1972Cunitia"The Dave Cash Comedy Hour", "1.6"1973Whoops Baghdad!SaccharineTV series1973Are You Being Served?Wealthy Client"Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend"1974Men of AffairsChris"Silver Threads"1975Are You Being Served?Newlywed Female Customer"Shoulder to Shoulder"1976Are You Being Served?The Wedding Hat"No Sale"1976Big Boy Now!Mavis"Staff Relations"1979TropicPolly Blossom-SmithTV series1981"19.6"
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