Patsy Kensit

Patsy Kensit

Kensit at the 2009 BAFTAs
Born Patricia Jude Francis Kensit
(1968-03-04) 4 March 1968
Hounslow, London, England
Alma mater Corona Theatre School
Occupation Actress, singer, model
Years active 1972–present
Television
Spouse(s) Dan Donovan (m. 1989; div. 1991)
Jim Kerr (m. 1992; div. 1996)
Liam Gallagher (m. 1997; div. 2000)
Jeremy Healy (m. 2009; div. 2010)
Children 2

Musical career

Genres Pop
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1983–1989
Labels CBS
Associated acts Eighth Wonder

Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is a British actress, singer, model, and former child star. She was lead singer of the band Eighth Wonder from 1983 to 1989. Between 2004 and 2006, Kensit played the role of Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Following this, she played Faye Byrne in the BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2007 until 2010. Kensit has been married to musicians Dan Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher, and Jeremy Healy.

Early life

Patsy Kensit was born on 4 March 1968 to James Henry Kensit (1915 – September 1987) and Margaret Rose Doohan (1935 – December 1993), a native of Ireland who died from breast cancer. Kensit has an elder brother, Jamie, born in 1963. Her mother was a publicist; her father was an associate of the notorious London gangsters the Kray twins. Nicknamed "Jimmy the Dip", he also reportedly worked for the rival Richardsons, running long firms for the gang. He served time in prison before Kensit was born; she believed he was an antiques dealer. Kensit's parents did not marry until 1986.[1] Her paternal grandfather was a robber and counterfeiter.[2] She attended Newland House School, St Catherine's School, Twickenham and Corona Theatre School.

Career

Early work

In 1972, at the age of four, Kensit appeared in a television advert for Birds Eye frozen peas. She had her first big-screen role in the film For the Love of Ada. Her next film role was two years later in The Great Gatsby, in which she acted with Mia Farrow—whom she later portrayed in the 1995 biopic Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story. Kensit also appeared in a BBC mini series based on the famous historical novel Penmarric (1979).

As a pupil at the Italia Conti Academy stage school, Kensit's first starring roles were in British children's television programmes such as The Adventures of Pollyanna (1982) and Luna (in the title role). She also appeared as Estella in the 1981 BBC adaptation of Great Expectations and as Lady Margaret Plantagenet in the 1982 BBC Television Shakespeare production of Richard III.

Rise to fame

Kensit in France (1991)

In 1985, Kensit led a dual career as a singer and an actress. She starred as Eppie in an adaptation of Silas Marner, with Ben Kingsley. At the time, Kensit stated: "All I want is to be more famous than anything or anyone".[2]

In 1986, she won the lead female role in the film version of Absolute Beginners, based on the book by Colin MacInnes. In November 1987, she sang a duet with the Italian singer and songwriter, Eros Ramazzotti, entitled 'La luce buona delle stelle', which in English translates to 'The Good Light of the Stars'.

In 1988, Kensit's band Eighth Wonder had two Top 40 singles: "I'm Not Scared", written by Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe and produced by the Pet Shop Boys & Phil Harding (for PWL), which reached Number 7 in the British charts, and "Cross My Heart", which reached Number 13. Although the band's success quickly waned, "I'm Not Scared" appeared in the 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2, in which Kensit, then focused solely on acting, played Rika van den Haas, a South African consulate secretary with whom cop Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson) falls in love.

She appeared in the 1991 independent feature Twenty-One, for which she received a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Of her role, Variety magazine wrote, "Fans of Kensit get plenty of her; her lovely face and form are always the center of attention. The cool control with which she executes the role is admirable".[3] In 1992, she had a leading role in the British film Blame it on the Bellboy as Miss Carolyn Wright, a desperate estate agent in Venice who would stop at nothing to clinch a deal.

In 1995, Kensit starred with Kristin Scott Thomas and Mark Rylance in Angels & Insects, which was directed by Philip Haas and was nominated for an Academy Award for Costume Design. Kensit's last major lead film role was in the Newcastle-based The One and Only.

2004–present

In 2004, Kensit joined the cast of soap opera Emmerdale as Sadie King and also regularly featured in the third series of Channel 4's Bo' Selecta! and its 2005 spin-off series A Bear's Tail. Kensit's success as the soap super-bitch and in a popular comedy brought her back to the public's attention.

In September and October 2005, Kensit appeared as a celebrity contestant in Ant & Dec's Gameshow Marathon, progressing through to Play Your Cards Right before being eliminated by Carol Vorderman. On 23 June 2006, Kensit guest hosted The Friday Night Project with band Placebo. She appeared as the Grand High Witch of all the World at the Children's Party at the Palace in celebration of the Queen's 80th birthday in 2006. She also became the voice of online gambling website 32red.com.[4]

In September 2006, Kensit left Emmerdale, stating that commuting to Yorkshire and the time away from her sons was too stressful. As part of a dramatic week of episodes that coincided with Jeff Hordley's exit from the show, Cain Dingle and Sadie hatched an elaborate kidnap plan involving Tom King – they set up the transfer of £2million from the Kings to Cain in order for Tom to be released, however Cain double crossed Sadie. Her last appearance was at an airstrip watching Cain fly away, leaving her penniless and alone.

In October 2006, Kensit joined the BBC One medical drama Holby City as ward sister Faye Morton. On 14 March 2010, it wasrevealed that she had decided to leave the show.[5]

In August 2008, Kensit appeared as a subject in the sixth series of Who Do You Think You Are?. Until Bruce Forsyth's episode broadcast in July 2010, it became the highest-rated episode for the programme with 7.10 million viewers. As of 2015, it still retains as the second highest-rated episode of the programme.

In September 2010, Kensit participated as a contestant on the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing.[6] She was partnered up with professional dancer Robin Windsor. They were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the competition, finishing in seventh place.

On 15 May 2012, she narrated the Channel 4 documentary Sex, Lies and Rinsing Guys.

On 7 April 2014, Kensit was a guest panellist on ITV chat show Loose Women.[7]

On 7 January 2015, Kensit took part as a housemate in the fifteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother.[8] She was the third celebrity to be evicted from the House, after spending 21 days.

Personal life

Kensit has been married four times. In 1988, she married Dan Donovan of band Big Audio Dynamite. In 1992, she married Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds. During her second marriage, she gave birth to her first child, James, in 1993. In April 1997, she married Liam Gallagher from Oasis. Kensit and Gallagher had a son, Lennon, born 14 September 1999, who was named after John Lennon; they divorced in 2000. Lennon's godmother is actress Elizabeth Hurley.[9]

After a reported relationship with Ally McCoist,[10] Kensit took up with rap artist and beatboxer Killa Kela. They split up after a year, with Kensit stating that she did not see a future with Killa.[11]

Kensit later became involved with the DJ Jeremy Healy and announced that she was marrying for a fourth time on 29 November 2007.[12] On 31 March 2008 it was reported that the pair had split by mutual consent and had called off their wedding.[13] They eventually married on 18 April 2009, in an event covered by a magazine,[14] but it was reported in February 2010 that the couple had separated. Healy did not receive a mention in her 2013 autobiography.

Kensit identifies as an à la carte Catholic, and she had her children baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.[15] She began attending church after her mother's death.[16]

Filmography

Year Title Role Other notes
1972 Birds Eye's Frozen Peas Herself TV advert[17][18]
For the Love of Ada Little girl
1973 The Brothers Toddler TV series, one episode
1974 Z-Cars Joanna Page TV series, one episode
The Great Gatsby Pamela Buchanan
Gold Little Girl at Christmas Party Uncredited
1975 Alfie Darling Penny
Churchill's People Brewster child TV series, one episode
Hennessy Angie Hennessy
1976 The Blue Bird Mytyl
Dickens of London Georgina Hogarth TV series, two episodes
1978 Armchair Thriller 'Quiet as a Nun' Tessa TV series, five episodes
1979 Lady Oscar Oscar François de Jarjayes (as a child)
Hanover Street Sarah Sellinger Nominated-Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture[19]
Prince Regent Young Princess Charlotte TV mini-series
The Legend of King Arthur Morgan le Fay (as a child) TV series
Penmarric Young Mariana TV series, two episodes
Quincy's Quest Jennifer
1980 Hannah Ruth Corder TV series, four episodes
1981 Great Expectations Young Estella TV series, two episodes
1982 Disneyland Pollyanna TV series, one episode
The Adventures of Pollyanna Pollyanna TV film
Frost in May Nanda Gray TV series, one episode
1983 The Tragedy of Richard III Lady Margaret Plantagenet TV film
Luna Luna TV series, six episodes
1984 Diana Young Diana TV mini-series, two episodes
1985 Hallmark Hall of Fame Emilie du Cailland TV series, one episode
Silas Marner Eppie TV film
1986 Absolute Beginners Suzette
1988 Don Bosco Lina
A Chorus of Disapproval Linda Washbrook
1989 Arms and the Man Louka Theatre Night TV series
Lethal Weapon 2 Rika van den Haas
1990 Kill Cruise Su
Chicago Joe and the Showgirl Joyce Cook
Bullseye! Sick Lady on Train
1991 Adam Bede Hetty Sorrel TV film
Does This Mean We're Married Deena TV film
Timebomb Dr. Anna Nolmar
Blue Tornado Isabella
Twenty-One Katie Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead
Beltenebros Rebeca
1992 Screen One Hetty Sorrel TV series, one episode
Blame It on the Bellboy Caroline Wright
The Turn of the Screw Jenny
1993 Tales from the Crypt Bridget TV series, one episode
Bitter Harvest Jolene
Full Eclipse Casey Spencer
1994 Fall from Grace Lady Deirdre Sebright TV film
1995 Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story Mia Farrow TV film
Dream Man Kris Anderson
Kleptomania Julie
Angels & Insects Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
At the Midnight Hour Elizabeth Guinness TV film
Tunnel Vision Kelly Wheatstone
1996 Grace of My Heart Cheryl Steed
1998 The Last Don II Josie Cirolia TV mini-series, one episode
Human Bomb Marcia Weller TV film
1999 Speedway Junky Donna
Janice Beard 45 WPM Julia
2000 Best Anna
Aladdin Princess TV film
2001 Things Behind the Sun Denise
Loves Music, Loves to Dance Darcy Scott TV film
Casualty Charlotte Leith-Jones TV series, one episode
2002 Bad Karma Maureen Hatcher/Agnes
Darkness Falling Vicki
Murder in Mind Angela Stephenson TV series, one episode
The One and Only Stella
2003 Who's Your Daddy? Heather McKay
Shelter Island Alexandria 'Alex'
2004 The All Star Comedy Show Various characters TV series
The Pavilion Clara Huddlestone
A Bear's Christmas Tail Helen Hennerson TV Christmas special
2004–2006 Emmerdale Sadie King TV series
Nominated-British Soap Award for Soap Bitch of the Year
Nominated-National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer
2005 A Bear's Tail Helen Hennerson TV series
2006 Played Cindy
Children's Party at the Palace The Grand High Witch (from The Witches) TV special
2007 The Magic Door Rachel
A Bucket o' French & Saunders Various characters TV series, Two episodes
2007–2010 Holby City Faye Byrne TV series
2010 Strictly Come Dancing Herself Series 8 contestant
2014 Loose Women 2 episodes
2015 Celebrity Big Brother Series 15 housemate

Guest appearances

References

  1. Patsy Kensit Biography Film Reference.com
  2. 1 2 Picardie, Justine; "Patsy Kensit: super trouper" The Daily Telegraph, 13 July 2008
  3. "Twenty-One" Variety 1 January 1991. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  4. "Patsy Kensit is the voice of 32Red Online Casino" 32red.com (Retrieved 30 July 2009)
  5. "Patsy Kensit to join Holby cast " BBC News, 14 December 2005. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  6. "BBC - Strictly Come Dancing - Patsy Kensit"
  7. "Claire Goose joins Monday's Loose Women". itv.com. 7 April 2014
  8. "Patsy Kensit" Channel 5
  9. Elizabeth Hurley – thebiographychannel.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
  10. Cramb, Auslan; "I have been a fool over Kensit affair, admits McCoist" The Daily Telegraph, 28 September 2001. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  11. Fletcher, Alex; "Kensit breaks up with human beatbox" Digital Spy, 9 August 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  12. Dadds, Kimberley; "Patsy Kensit to marry for fourth time" Digital Spy, 29 September 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  13. "Actress Kensit calls off wedding" BBC News, 31 March 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  14. "Kensit ties knot for fourth time" BBC News, 19 April 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2009
  15. Carroll, Helen (26 February 2011). "Patsy Kensit: My family values". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  16. "Patsy Kensit: You ask the questions". The Independent. 26 February 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  17. Patsy Kensit – The Advertising Archives, No.30532929, 1972
  18. Birds Eye Peas Ad Patsy Kensit on YouTube
  19. First Annual Youth in Film Awards 1978–1979 – Young Artist Award
  20. "The Chase: Celebrity Special". itv.com
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