Lesley Saweard
Lesley J Saweard (born 1934) is an English retired actress and former schoolteacher. She is best known as the voice of Christine Barford in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers.
Lesley Saweard | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lesley J Saweard 1934 (age 89–90) Grimsby, Humberside, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, former schoolteacher |
| Years active | 1953–2019 |
| Known for | The Archers (1953–62, 1968–2019) |
| Notable work | Christine Barford |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
changeLesley J Saweard was born in Grimsby, Humberside, England in 1934,[1] as the younger of two[2] children to William Montague Saweard (1889–1977)[3][4] and Hilda Louisa Saweard (née Kiddle;[5] 1897–1997).[6] She has a elder sister, Barbara (born 1927).[7]
Saweard trained in elocution and drama, but, having lived near a small market town, had never thought of becoming a professional actress.[8]
Career
changeSaweard joined the cast of the BBC Home Service radio soap opera The Archers in 1953, as the voice of Christine Barford (born 21 December 1931), the sister of established character, Phil Archer. She had taken over the role from Pamela Mant. She left the serial in 1962 and the role of Christine was recast to Joyce Gibbs. She returned as Christine in 1968. She voiced Christine until her departure in 2019.[8]
Saweard worked as a provincial schoolteacher before being cast in The Archers.[8]
Personal life
changeSaweard met Geoffrey Lewis, an actor,[9][10] on the set of The Archers in 1954.[8] The couple married in Kensington, London in January 1956.[11] They had two[12] children together; Simon (born 1962)[13] and Sarah Jane (born 1967).[14] The couple remained married for 41 years until his death in 1997.[15][16]
Saweard resides in Louth, Lincolnshire.[8]
Filmography
changeRadio
change| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953–1962, 1968–2019 | The Archers | Christine Barford | [17] |
Television
change| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Sherlock Holmes | Ellen Amberley | Episode: "The Retired Colourman" | [9] |
| 1981 | Astronauts | Mrs. Ackroyd | Episode: "We Are Not Alone" | [18] |
References
change- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1934 7a 887 GRIMSBY – Lesley J Saweard
- ↑ "Saweard". Ancestry. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915: OCT 1889 7a 645 CAISTOR – William Montague Saweard
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1977 (aged 87) 7 1694 LOUTH – William Montague Saweard
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1926 7a 1647 GRIMSBY – William M Saweard = Hilda L Kiddle
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: FEB 1997 (aged 99) 21C 199 LOUTH
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1927 7a 990 GRIMSBY – Barbara Saweard
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "BBC Radio 4 - The Archers - Christine Barford". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Lesley Saweard". IMDb. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ "Geoffrey Lewis". IMDb. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JAN 1956 5c 2986 KENSINGTON – Lesley J Saweard = George H E Lewis
- ↑ "Lewis". Ancestry. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: APR 1962 5c 1233 HAMMERSMITH – Simon Lewis
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: APR 1967 5b 906 HAMMERSMITH – Sarah Jane Lewis
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1997 (aged 84) B55B 156 KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA – George Harrison E Lewis
- ↑ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1997 (aged 84) B55B 156 KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA – Geoffrey Lewis
- ↑ "Lesley Saweard - BBC Programme Index". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ↑ "Lesley Saweard". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2024.