A Tribute to The Late, Great Lorraine Cheshire

By Helen McWilliams

 


On 19 December 2025, one of the kindest and most beautiful spirits left far too soon. Lorraine Cheshire was not only an absolutely first class actor, she was the best person to have on your side. 

I began my blogging career in 2013 and focused on theatre for much of it, particularly at the beginning. However as my love of TV is as great as my love for the stage, it wasn't long until I ventured into telly reviews and started to interview a number of stars of the small screen. 

My son was still very young when I expanded the blog. I distinctly recall taking him to a baby swim session with my fellow mom pal and her little one and the conversation of new TV shows cropping up over a cup of cold tea and half eaten sandwich post-swim. She asked me if I had watched the BBC series 'In The Club'. It was apt viewing as it was basically about new moms, midwives, pregnancy - all of which we had lived through over the past however many months and were still living through. I noticed my mate Victoria Carling was in it (playing the mother of Jonathan Bailey of Wicked fame!) and that the rest of the casting also looked good, so I binge watched it that very evening. The character who immediately stood out for me was that of a midwife called Geraldine. Lorraine Cheshire was playing the role and she was fantastic. In fact I'd have loved to have had a midwife like Geraldine, not that I have any complaints about my midwife.

I was quick to check for any other television or film work that Lorraine had appeared in and discovered she'd trodden the boards a number of times too. Trollied was another favourite television programme that appeared on my radar once I started to delve into Lorraine's credits. Her role as Sue in the Customer Services department was an absolute scream and Lorraine looked like she was having a ball. I also binge watched her in Early Doors, that was time well spent, what a sit com!

Connecting with Lorraine on social media was my next goal and once chatting we were soon discussing featuring her in an interview which I think we managed to achieve over the phone. Fast forward another year or so and I couldn't believe that one of my favourite actors was making a special trip by train from Manchester to Birmingham for a chat about the new series of Trollied over lunch. I treasure that day.

I am more than happy to admit that I suffer greatly from imposter syndrome, meeting actors whom I've followed or admired for a while never ever fails to make me feel star struck. Lorraine was so quick to put me at my ease, she arranged interviews for me with Sarah Parish, Stephen Tompkinson, Dominic Coleman and Faye McKeever. People I could only dream of featuring on my blog were suddenly all on the other end of my phone! All thanks to Lorraine and her unwaivering support. 

I wish I could have watched her on stage, as there's nothing quite like supporting your favourite performers in the theatre and I expect she was exceptional. I regret losing touch around the time of the pandemic. I'm sorry not to have made the trip to Manchester to return the huge favour she did me. I wish she was here to interview about her latest project and have a good old chinwag and giggle with. I'm so glad I knew her though and that I took that step to reach out to her, an absolutely amazing lady 💖

I'll never forget her and I send all my love and best wishes to John and her family, I know they were her world. Fly high Lorraine 🌈 


By Helen McWilliams

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