- Sheila Mercier
Infobox actor
name = Sheila Mercier
imagesize = 188x269px
caption = Sheila as Annie Sugden in "Emmerdale"
birthname = Sheila Betty Rix
birthdate = birth date and age|1919|1|1|mf=y
birthplace = Hull,Yorkshire ,England
spouse = Peter MercierSheila Mercier (born
1 January 1919 , Hull,Yorkshire ,England ) is an Englishactress .She is best known for her role as the
matriarch Annie Brearly in the long-running Britishsoap opera "Emmerdale ". She appeared from the very first episode in 1972 until 1994. She has occasionally returned to the series since her departure, most notably, in character, at the age of 89,for theEmmerdale 5000th episode special, transmitted onITV in May 2008.Sheila Mercier had a long career on stage prior to her television career. After education at the French Convent, Hull and Hunmanby Hall, Yorkshire, she trained for the stage at the
Stratford-upon-Avon College of Drama, and was 'discovered' by the actor,Donald Wolfit . She went on to tour with Wolfit's own Shakespeare company. In theSecond World War she joined the WAAF division of theRoyal Air Force , eventually becomingadjutant . After the war she appeared in a number of films in supporting roles. She also appeared as a guest in "Dial RIX" in 1963 alongside her husband,Peter Mercier .In 1994 she published her autobiography, "Annie's Song - My Life and Emmerdale".
In July 2008 she attented the funeral of Clive Hornby who played her on-screen son Jack Sugden in Emmerdale
She is the sister of comic actor and director
Brian Rix .External links
*imdb name|0580452
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