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Patsy Kensit

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Patsy Kensit
Kensit at the British Academy Film Awards in 2009
Born
Patricia Jude Francis Kensit

(1968-03-04) 4 March 1968 (age 56)
Lambeth, London, England, UK
Alma materCorona Theatre School
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Singer
Years active1972 – present
Television
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1988; div. 1991)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1992; div. 1996)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1997; div. 2000)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2009; div. 2010)​
Children2
Musical career
GenresPop
InstrumentVocals
Years active1983–present
LabelsSony Music
Formerly ofEighth Wonder
Websitewww.patsykensit.com

Patricia Jude Francis Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is an English actress and singer. Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Birds Eye frozen peas. She went on to appear in films such as The Great Gatsby (1974), Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), Hennessy (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). Balancing a dual career as both an actress and a singer, in 1983 Kensit formed and became the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder. The group released several singles, including the top 20 hits "I'm Not Scared" and "Cross My Heart", before disbanding in 1989.

Kensit achieved further success in her breakthrough role as Suzette in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) and as Rika van den Haas in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) before starring in the films Blue Tornado (1991), Timebomb (1991), Twenty-One (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Bitter Harvest (1993), Full Eclipse (1993), Angels & Insects (1995), Love and Betrayal (1995) and Grace of My Heart (1996).

Following a return to television, between 2004 and 2006, Kensit played the role of Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale and then that of Faye Morton in the BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2007 to 2010, and again for an episode in 2019. Throughout 2023, she played Emma Harding in EastEnders. Kensit has been married to musicians Dan Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher and Jeremy Healy.

Kensit was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Hanover Street (1979). In 1991, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Twenty-One (1991), and later had several nominations for her role in Emmerdale.

Early life and education

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Patricia Jude Francis Kensit was born on 4 March 1968, at the General Lying-In Hospital, Lambeth, to James and Margaret Rose (née Doohan). Kensit's maternal grandparents hailed from County Leitrim, Ireland.[1] She has an older brother. Her mother was a secretary at Dior and former model, who had previously dated Aga Khan IV,[2] while Kensit's father was a close associate of both the Kray Twins and the Richardson Gang, earning himself the nickname "Jimmy the Dip", and was involved in the Great Train Robbery.[2][3] He served time in prison before Kensit was born and used a cover as an antiques dealer.[4] Kensit's godfather was Reggie Kray.[5] Her paternal grandfather was a robber and counterfeiter.[6]

Kensit spent her childhood living on a council estate in Hounslow and had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. She attended Newland House School, St Catherine's School, Twickenham, and Corona Theatre School.[2]

Career

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Early work

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In 1972, at the age of four, Kensit appeared in a television advert for Birds Eye frozen peas.[7] She had her first big-screen role in the film For the Love of Ada. Her next film role was two years later in The Great Gatsby, with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, the latter of whom she portrayed in the 1995 biopic, Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story. Later in 1974, she had a small role in the thriller film Gold alongside Roger Moore and Susannah York. She then starred in Alfie Darling (1975) with Joan Collins. Following that, Kensit had a leading role in the 1976 Soviet-American co-production, The Blue Bird, and she struck up a friendship with actress and co-star Elizabeth Taylor.[2] In 1979, Kensit starred in the war-romance film Hanover Street, opposite Harrison Ford and Christopher Plummer. She was nominated for Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture at the Young Artist Awards for her role in the film.[8]

In the early 1980s, Kensit began to appear regularly in films. In 1981, she starred as Estella in the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations. An important role was Lady Margaret Plantagenet in the 1982 BBC Television Shakespeare production of Richard III. In the same year, she starred as the title character in the Walt Disney episode The Adventures of Pollyanna.

Rise to fame

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In 1983, she starred as the leading character in the TV series Luna. The following year she starred in the children's play The Prattling Princess. In 1985, she starred in the films Silas Marner and The Corsican Brothers.

In 1983, with her brother Jamie Kensit, she helped set up the band Eighth Wonder, which included Steve Grantley and Geoff Beauchamp.[7]

In 1985, Kensit pursued a dual career as a singer and an actress. She starred as Eppie in an adaptation of Silas Marner, with Ben Kingsley. At the time, Kensit stated: "All I want is to be more famous than anything or anyone".[6]

In 1986, she won the lead female role in the film version of Absolute Beginners, based on the book by Colin MacInnes. In November 1987, she sang a duet with the Italian singer and songwriter Eros Ramazzotti, entitled La luce buona delle stelle ("The Good Light of the Stars").

In 1988, Kensit's band Eighth Wonder had two Top 40 singles: "I'm Not Scared", written by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe and produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Phil Harding (for PWL), which reached Number 7 in the British charts. "Cross My Heart" reached Number 13. Although the band's success quickly waned, Kensit focused solely on her acting career, appearing in the 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2 as Rika van den Haas, a South African consulate secretary with whom detective Martin Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, falls in love.

In 1991, she had a leading role in the romantic comedy, Does This Mean We're Married?[9] during which she sings the song "Rambo Doll".[9]

Kensit appeared in the 1991 film Twenty-One, for which she received a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Of her role, Variety magazine wrote, "Fans of Kensit get plenty of her; her lovely face and form are always the center of attention. The cool control with which she executes the role is admirable".[10] In 1992, she had a leading role in the British film Blame it on the Bellboy as Miss Carolyn Wright, a desperate estate agent in Venice who would stop at nothing to clinch a deal.

In 1995, Kensit starred with Kristin Scott Thomas and Mark Rylance in Angels & Insects, which was directed by Philip Haas, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Costume Design. Kensit's last major lead film role was in the Newcastle-based The One and Only.

2004–present

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In 2004, Kensit joined the cast of soap opera Emmerdale as Sadie King, and also regularly featured in the third series of Channel 4's Bo' Selecta!, along with its 2005 spin-off series A Bear's Tail. Kensit's success as the soap super-bitch in a popular comedy brought her back to the public's attention. In September 2006, Kensit left Emmerdale, stating that commuting to Yorkshire and the time away from her sons was too stressful.

In September and October 2005, Kensit appeared as a celebrity contestant in Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon, progressing through to Play Your Cards Right, before being eliminated by Carol Vorderman. On 23 June 2006, Kensit guest hosted The Friday Night Project with band Placebo. She appeared as the Grand High Witch of all the World at the Children's Party at the Palace in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday in 2006. She also became the voice of online gambling website 32red.com.[11]

In January 2007, Kensit joined the BBC One medical drama Holby City as ward sister Faye Morton. On 14 March 2010, it was revealed that she had decided to leave the show.[12] In May 2019, it was announced that Kensit would reprise her role as Faye Morton for an episode, later in the year.

In August 2008, Kensit appeared as a subject in the sixth series of Who Do You Think You Are?. Until Bruce Forsyth's episode broadcast in July 2010, it became the highest-rated episode for the programme, being seen by 7.10 million viewers. As of 2023, it is still the second-highest rating episode of the programme.[13]

In September 2010, Kensit participated as a contestant on the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing.[14] She was partnered with professional dancer Robin Windsor. They were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the competition, finishing in seventh place.

On 15 May 2012, she narrated the Channel 4 documentary Sex, Lies and Rinsing Guys. On 7 April 2014, Kensit was a guest panellist on ITV chat show Loose Women.[15] On 7 January 2015, Kensit took part as a housemate in the fifteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother.[16] She was the third celebrity to be evicted from the House, after spending 21 days.

In 2018, Kensit started her Conscious Puberty campaign, which came about after she experienced significant challenges during the menopause. She now uses the campaign across social media channels to converse with other women of every age.[17]

In March 2021, Kensit appeared on BBC Two's Richard Osman's House of Games.[18] Later that year, she made a guest appearance in an episode of McDonald & Dodds and starred in the film The Pebble and the Boy.

In November 2022, it was announced that Kensit would join the cast of the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Emma Harding, the biological mother of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold). Kensit made her first on-screen appearance as Emma on 25 January 2023.[19][20][21]

Personal life

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Kensit has been married four times.[22] In 1988, she married Dan Donovan of the band Big Audio Dynamite but they divorced in 1991. In 1992, she married Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds. During the marriage, she gave birth to her first son. Kensit and Kerr divorced in 1996, and in April 1997, she married Liam Gallagher from the band Oasis, at Marylebone Town Hall.[23] Kensit and Gallagher had a son, Lennon, who was named after John Lennon. Lennon's godmother is actress Elizabeth Hurley, Kensit's co-star in the film Kill Cruise.[24] Kensit and Gallagher divorced in 2000.[22]

She later became involved with the DJ Jeremy Healy and announced that she was marrying for a fourth time on 29 November 2007.[22] On 31 March 2008, it was reported that the couple had split by mutual consent and had called off their wedding.[25] They reconciled, and married on 18 April 2009,[26] but it was reported in February 2010 that the couple had separated, with their divorce confirmed later in the year.[citation needed]

Kensit is a Roman Catholic, although she identifies as an à la carte member of the faith. Kensit had her children baptised and confirmed in the Catholic tradition.[27] She began attending church after her mother's death.[28]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 For the Love of Ada Little girl Uncredited
1974 The Great Gatsby Pamela Buchanan
Gold Little Girl at Christmas Party Uncredited
1975 Alfie Darling Penny
Hennessy Angie Hennessy
1976 The Blue Bird Mytyl
1979 Lady Oscar Oscar as a child
Hanover Street Sarah Sellinger Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture[29]
Quincy's Quest Jennifer
1985 The Corsican Brothers Emilie du Cailland
1986 Absolute Beginners Suzette
1988 Don Bosco Lina
A Chorus of Disapproval Linda Washbrook
1989 Lethal Weapon 2 Rika van den Haas
1990 Chicago Joe and the Showgirl Joyce Cook
Kill Cruise Su
Bullseye! Sick Lady on Train Cameo
1991 Blue Tornado Isabella
Timebomb Dr. Anna Nolmar
Twenty-One Katie Nominated – Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
Prince of Shadows Rebeca
1992 Blame It on the Bellboy Caroline Wright
The Turn of the Screw Jenny
1993 Bitter Harvest Jolene
Full Eclipse Casey Spencer
1994 Fall from Grace Lady Deirdre Sebright
1995 Kleptomania Julie
Angels & Insects Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story Mia Farrow
Dream Man Kris Anderson
At the Midnight Hour Elizabeth Guinness
Tunnel Vision Kelly Wheatstone
1996 Grace of My Heart Cheryl Steed
1998 Human Bomb Marcia Weller
1999 Speedway Junky Donna
Janice Beard 45 WPM Julia
2000 The Pavilion Clara Huddlestone
Best Angie Best
2001 Things Behind the Sun Denise
Bad Karma Maureen Hatcher
Loves Music, Loves to Dance Darcy Scott
2002 The One and Only Stella
Who's Your Daddy? Heather McKay
2003 Darkness Falling Vicki
Shelter Island Alex Delamere
2006 Played Cindy
2007 The Magic Door Rachel
2021 The Pebble and the Boy Sonia
2022 Renegades Judy Carver
2024 A Gangster's Kiss Crassus

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 Birds Eye's Frozen Peas Herself Television advert[30][31]
1973 The Brothers Toddler Episode: "Negotiations"
1974 Z-Cars Joanna Page Episode: "Joanna"
1975 Churchill's People Brewster child Episode: "America! America!"
1976 Dickens of London Georgina Hogarth 2 episodes
1977–1978 The Foundation Emma Prince 24 episodes
1978 Armchair Thriller Tessa 5 episodes (Quiet as a Nun)
1979 The Legend of King Arthur Morgan le Fay Series 1: Episode 1
Prince Regent Young Princess Charlotte 2 episodes
Penmarric Young Mariana 2 episodes
1980 Hannah Ruth Corder All 4 episodes
The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls Daisy Television film
1981 Great Expectations Young Estella 2 episodes
1982 Disneyland Pollyanna Episode: "The Adventures of Pollyanna"
Flesh and Blood Gwen Brassington Series 2: Episode 5
Frost in May Nanda Gray Episode: "Frost in May"
Schoolgirl Chums Hilary Television film
1983 The Tragedy of Richard III Lady Margaret Plantagenet
Luna Luna 6 episodes
1984 Diana Young Diana 2 episodes
1985 Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe Eppie Television film
1989 Theatre Night Louka Episode: "Arms and the Man"
1991 Does This Mean We're Married? Deena Television film
1992 Screen One Hetty Sorrel Episode: "Adam Bede"
1993 Tales from the Crypt Bridget Episode: "As Ye Sow"
1996 French and Saunders Patsy Kensit 3 episodes
1998 The Last Don II Josie Cirolia Both 2 episodes
2000 Aladdin Princess Television film
2001 Casualty Charlotte Leith-Jones Episode: "Happily Ever After"
2002 Murder in Mind Angela Stephenson Episode: "Flashback"
2003–2004 Bo' Selecta! Patsy Kensit 10 episodes
2004 Monkey Trousers Various characters Television film
A Bear's Christmas Tail Helen Hennerson
2004–2006 Emmerdale Sadie King Regular role; 311 episodes
Nominated – British Soap Award for Soap Bitch of the Year
Nominated – National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer
2005 A Bear's Tail Helen Hennerson All 6 episodes
2006 Children's Party at the Palace Various Television film
2007 A Bucket o' French & Saunders Various characters 2 episodes
2007–2010, 2019 Holby City Faye Morton Regular role; 169 episodes
2012–2013 Lemon La Vida Loca Patsy Kensit 2 episodes
2017 Tina and Bobby Betty Dean 2 episodes
2020 Agatha Raisin Emma Comfrey Episode: "The Deadly Dance"
2021 McDonald & Dodds Barbara Graham Episode: "The Man Who Wasn't There"
2023 EastEnders Emma Harding Recurring role[32]
Death in Paradise Bella Stableforth Episode: "It's Behind You"

Guest appearances

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Egan, Barry (22 November 2013). "Patsy Kensit – rock chick to Irish mummy". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 November 2021. Her mother Margaret, whose parents hailed from county Leitrim
  2. ^ a b c d Kensit, Patsy (2013). Absolute Beginner: The Autobiography. Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 978-0283071911.
  3. ^ Helen Carroll (26 February 2011). "Patsy Kensit: My family values". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Patsy Kensit Biography FilmReference.com
  5. ^ @patsy_kensit (4 June 2015). "Patsy Kensit on Twitter: "Being held by one of the Kray Twins a.k.a my godfather when I was a tiny baby #TBT"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b Picardie, Justine; "Patsy Kensit: super trouper" The Daily Telegraph, 13 July 2008
  7. ^ a b Amelia Slater (12 June 2019). "Patsy Kensit Through The Years: A Timeline of Her Life". The Daily Feed.
  8. ^ "First Annual Youth in Film Awards 1978–1979". Young Artist Award. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Does This Mean We're Married? (1992) – Video Detective". Videodetective.com. 29 January 1992. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Twenty-One" Archived 13 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine Variety 1 January 1991. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  11. ^ "Patsy Kensit is the voice of 32Red Online Casino". 32red.com. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Patsy Kensit to join Holby cast". BBC News, 14 December 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  13. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (30 September 2008). "TV ratings: Family saga ends with Llewelyn-Bowen". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  14. ^ "BBC – Strictly Come Dancing 2010 – Celebrities – Patsy Kensit". BBC. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Claire Goose joins Monday's Loose Women". Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. ITV. 7 April 2014
  16. ^ "Patsy Kensit – Celebrity Big Brother". Celebrity Big Brother. Channel 5. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Patsy Kensit on her menopause rebirth". The Sunday Times. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Richard Osman's House of Games". BBC. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  19. ^ Dubey, Shivani (5 November 2022). "EastEnders casts former Emmerdale and Holby City star Patsy Kensit". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  20. ^ Searle, Joshua (25 January 2023). "ITV Emmerdale star Patsy Kensit begins role in BBC EastEnders". Hackney Gazette. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  21. ^ Kitson, Calli (24 January 2023). "EastEnders star Danielle Harold declares Patsy Kensit looks more like her than her real mum". Metro. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Dadds, Kimberley; "Patsy Kensit to marry for fourth time" Digital Spy, 29 September 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  23. ^ "Celebrity wedding venue popular with Sir Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher reopens after £60m renovation". Evening Standard. London. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  24. ^ Elizabeth Hurley Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine – thebiographychannel.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
  25. ^ "Actress Kensit calls off wedding" BBC News, 31 March 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  26. ^ "Kensit ties knot for fourth time" BBC News, 19 April 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  27. ^ Carroll, Helen (26 February 2011). "Patsy Kensit: My family values". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  28. ^ "Patsy Kensit: You ask the questions". The Independent. 26 February 2003. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  29. ^ "First Annual Youth in Film Awards 1978–1979". Young Artist Award. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  30. ^ "Patsy Kensit – The Advertising Archives, No.30532929, 1972". Advertisingarchives.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  31. ^ Birds Eye Peas Ad Patsy Kensit on YouTube
  32. ^ "Patsy Kensit is set to join the cast of EastEnders for a regular role in the role of Emma Harding, Lola's mother". Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "The Chase: Celebrity Special". Itv.com
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