Victoria Wood

British comedian (1953–2016)

Victoria Wood CBE (19 May 1953, Prestwich, Lancashire – 20 April 2016, Highgate, North London)[1] was an English comedienne, actress, singer, writer and television presenter.

Victoria Wood
Born(1953-05-19)19 May 1953
Prestwich, Lancashire,
England
Died20 April 2016(2016-04-20) (aged 62)
Highgate, London, England
MediumActress, comedienne,
singer-songwriter, screenwriter, director, presenter
NationalityBritish
Years active1974–2015
GenresStand-up, Observational humour
Spouse
Geoffrey Durham (m. 19802002)
(separated)
ChildrenGrace Durham, Henry Durham
BAFTA Awards
Best Television Actress
2007 Housewife, 49
Best Single Drama
2007 Housewife, 49
Best Light Entertainment Performance
1989 An Audience With Victoria Wood
Best Light Entertainment Performance
1986 Victoria Wood As Seen On TV
British Comedy Awards
Best Live Stand Up
1991
2001
Best Female Comedy Performer
1995
Writer of the Year
2000 dinnerladies
Lifetime Achievement Award
2005

Career change

Victoria Wood went to Bury Grammar Girls' School.[2] She wrote and starred in sketches, plays, films and sitcoms. She was a stand-up comedian. She sang and accompanied herself on the piano.[3]

Her humour was usually about everyday life, known as observational comedy. It was often satirical. It referred to popular British media and brand names of British products.[4]

She started her career in 1974 by winning the ATV talent show New Faces. It was not until the 1980s that she began to be known as a comedy star, with the award-winning television series Victoria Wood As Seen On TV and became one of Britain's most popular stand-up comedians.

In 1998, she wrote and starred in the sitcom dinnerladies (deliberately spelt with a small-case "d") which ran for 16 episodes over two seasons.

Wood often worked with Anne Reid, Maxine Peake, Julie Walters, Duncan Preston and Celia Imrie.

She won many awards, including the BAFTA award. She was made a CBE in 2008.[5]

Personal life change

Wood married magician Geoffrey Durham in March 1980.[6] They separated in October 2002 and divorced in 2003. They had a daughter, Grace (born 1988) who is a singer and son Henry (born 1992).

Wood's brother is the politician Chris Foote Wood.

Death change

Wood was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2015, but kept her illness private.[7] She died on 20 April 2016 at her Highgate home, aged 62.[8]

BAFTA nominations change

  • Wood had four wins from fourteen nominations ( she also had a special Bafta that she received at a Bafta tribute evening in 2005, taking her total to five )
Year Award Nominated work Result
1986 Best Light Entertainment Performance Victoria Wood As Seen On TV Won
1987 Best Light Entertainment Performance Victoria Wood As Seen On TV Nominated
1988 Best Light Entertainment Performance Victoria Wood As Seen On TV Nominated
1989 Best Light Entertainment Performance An Audience With Victoria Wood Won
1990 Best Light Entertainment Performance Victoria Wood Nominated
1995 Best Actress Pat and Margaret Nominated
Best Single Drama Pat and Margaret Nominated
Best Light Entertainment Performance Victoria Wood: Live in Your Own Home Nominated
1999 Best Comedy Programme or Series Dinnerladies Nominated
2000 Best Situation Comedy Dinnerladies Nominated
2001 Best Comedy Programme or Series Victoria Wood with All The Trimmings Nominated
2007 Best Actress Housewife 49 Won
Best Single Drama Housewife 49 Won
2011 Best Single Drama Eric and Ernie Nominated

References change

  1. "Comedian Victoria Wood dies aged 62". BBC News. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  2. "Manchester Television Broadcasters and Media Celebrities including Cannon and Ball, Alistair Cooke, Mike Yarwood, Joanne Kilmer Whalley, Victoria Wood, Peter Skellern, Bernard Wrigley and John Mahoney". www.manchester2002-uk.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-19. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  3. Brandwood, Neil (2002). Victoria Wood – The Biography (1st ed.). London: Boxtree. ISBN 1-85227-982-6.
  4. Duguid, Mark (July 2003). "Wood, Victoria (1953–)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  5. "No. 58729". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 14 June 2008.
  6. "Comic Wood splits from husband". BBC News. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  7. "Victoria Wood Was Determined To Battle Cancer Privately, Says Brother". The Huffington Post. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. Saul, Heather (20 April 2016). "Victoria Wood dead: Actress and comedian dies from cancer aged 62". The Independent. Retrieved 20 April 2016.

Other websites change