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It is probably fair to say that the cameo wish list for Jimmy Wilde was largely dreamed up by Paul F, with encouragement (albeit after an initial degree of scepticism) from the rest of the Shivilenco gang. The criteria were simple - a well-known screen face, who, by some stretch of the imagination, just might take pity on a low/no budget film company keen to add kudos to their debut feature production. Given the cameo aspect of Jimmy Wilde became something of a pet project for Paul F., it is perhaps unsurprising that the wish list began to be populated by his own favourite actors from fondly remembered television shows of the 1980s and 1990s. Liz Crowther was always going to feature on any such list.
As the matriarch, Annie Hart, in Family Affairs (1997-1999), Liz helped launch and underpin what was, at the outset, one of the most realistic, well crafted and underated soaps on television. Prior to that, she was already widely known for roles in Shoestring (1979-1980), Bergerac (1986-1987) and The Bill (1993). Like fellow Shivilenco cameo, Sam Kelly, Liz has also worked with Ronnie Barker - her first television role came as a teenager in The Ronnie Barker Playhouse (1968).
Following her departure from Family Affairs, Liz has continued to make regular guest appearances in television series including London's Burning and Doctors. In recent years, she has worked extensively in the theatre, in productions as varied as Richard III and Abigail's Party, and also appeared in the world's first live advertisement, travelling to locations around the globe to promote tourism in London.
Liz's appearance in Jimmy Wilde lends a much needed female touch to the proceedings. Far removed from her acerbic character in the film, Liz's warm and engaging nature ensured that the time we spent socialising with her was as pleasurable as filming with her was impressive. |
