Ann Emery – Billy Elliot’s original Grandma – dies at 86

Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry has led the tributes to the much-loved actress Ann Emery who has died at the age of 86.

A veteran stage and screen actress who began her career as a child actor with a talent for tap dancing in a production of Babes in the Wood at the Lyric Hammersmith, Emery won a whole new generation of admirers when she originated the role of Grandma in the London stage production of Billy Elliot.

Paying tribute to the artist who starred with all 39 West End Billys, Daldry said: “Ann Emery has been at the heart of the Billy Elliot family for over a decade. She created the role of Grandma over 11 years ago, and has been central to the lives of hundreds of children who performed with her.

“Her zest for life, professional experience and care for the often very young performers who she worked with was truly exceptional. She will have a special place in all our hearts as an ‘old pro’, who never seemed old and never took the profession for granted.

“She was herself a child of the theatre, whose enthusiasm and joy was always apparent. Her first appearance at the Victoria Palace was in the Crazy Gang in the 1930s. It was also where she gave her last much celebrated performance in Billy Elliot.

“She will be remembered fondly, and today deeply missed. What a treat it was to have known her.”

The sister of television comedy legend Dick Emery, Ann is also fondly remembered for her role in the BBC children’s TV series Rentaghost which delighted young viewers from 1976 until 1984 and remains a cult favourite today.

Highlights of a long stage career include productions of My Fair Lady and Betty Blue Eyes.

She initially played Grandma in Billy Elliot from 2005 to 2010 and returned to the role she created in 2011, playing the part until ill-health forced her to retire in January last year.

Angela Thomas