Eric and Ernie role would have thrilled Benidorm star

SHE’S a scary lady in Benidorm and at 76, Sheila Reid won’t lock herself away in fear of tough Britain.

The veteran actress, best-known for her long-term role as Madge in the TV series, is starring in a theatre show all about terrifying female gangs.

In Benidorm, she’s the chain-smoking toughie who used a mobility scooter despite being able-bodied, and rarely had a kind word for anyone.

In the new show, Ghost From A Perfect Place, she looks on aghast as girl mobs terrify the neighbourhood.

“If you lock yourself away, that really is the end,” admits the Glasgow-born actress. “Yes, Britain can be a scary place these days, but I’ll always go out, feel safe and do what I want.

“I play Torchie, a woman who’s lived all her life in Bethnal Green and got her nickname because she works as an usherette in the local cinema.

“It’s a very apt name for her, as she’s warm and loving, a shining light. She’s a hard worker, a survivor. Travis Flood, who led a gang in the 60s, comes back to find things are now run by a girl gang.

“That was the era of the Kray Brothers, but Torchie always felt safe and probably didn’t even realise the violence was there.

“She remembers those days fondly, her perfect time.

“It was written 20 years ago, so we’re playing it in that period, the 1990s. I do know a lot of people of a certain age just don’t go out at night, but that’s terrible and I refuse to do that.

“I refuse to be a victim, as it means you’ve given in and the bad guy’s won.”

When she does go out, of course, it’s more likely to be autograph hunters than girl gangs who approach her having performed Shakespeare, worked with Ingmar Bergman and done all manner of classy work, it’s still Benidorm that draws them to her!

“I find it bizarre!” she laughs. “It’s wonderful, too, and how lucky I am to have been given such a wonderful character as Madge. Like Torchie, they’re both tough survivors.

“The nice thing is when people tell me it makes them laugh. People say things like: ‘My husband’s been in hospital, and it’s the only thing that cheers him up.’ That’s great!

“I used to come home and loved to watch Steptoe And Son or Fawlty Towers, anything that made me relax after a heavy day. So it’s marvellous to have been in Benidorm.”

Sheila did, however, miss out on another British TV classic appearing in it, rather than watching it.

“I would have loved to have been on the Morecambe and Wise Show!” she laughs. “I loved them, it would have been fantastic to be on and I’m sorry it never happened.

“I know they’d probably have made fun of me, but I’d have loved it. That humour just tickles you, and they were really wonderful.

“People like to put you in a box, but I’ve managed to have lots of variety in my career, and that’s what I’ve enjoyed most. Nobody knew where to slot me, didn’t know what to do with me.

“I wasn’t obviously beautiful, I wasn’t obviously anything in particular, but that has meant I got to do Benidorm, Shakespeare, and Doctor Who and all kinds of things.

“Even with Benidorm, while it’s lasted so long, you only go there to film for part of the year.

“So it doesn’t become boring. In the future, I won’t be there quite as much, although I’m not leaving it forever.”

In the meantime, fans of this underrated actress can see her as Torchie, lighting up the stage in another most unusual career move.

n Ghost From A Perfect Place is on at London’s Arcola Theatre, from September 11 to October 11.