Lorraine Cheshire

Lorraine Cheshire (15 August 1960 – 19 December 2025) was an English actress, known for her roles as Joan Bell in Early Doors, Sue Benson in the Sky sitcom Trollied, Fleur Budgen in the BBC One school-based drama Waterloo Road and Lorraine Bird in the Channel 4 school-based drama series Ackley Bridge. on . She began acting at the age of 35, after her husband was made redundant from the Army. She made her professional acting debut in two episodes of the BBC series Cranford, portraying the role of Jo Warren. After that, she made appearances in series such as Clocking Off, Having It Off and Holby City. In 2003, Cheshire was cast in her first main role, in the BBC series Early Doors. She portrayed the role of Joan Bell for two series. From 2007 to 2012, she appeared in the BBC drama Waterloo Road in the recurring role of Fleur Budgen. Then in 2008, Cheshire starred in the BBC Three series Massive as Lorraine Finnegan.

Cheshire guest starred in a series 25 episode of Casualty in 2011 as Sandra Orr, the relative of a patient. From 2011 to 2018, Cheshire starred in the Sky sitcom Trollied as customer service representative Sue Benson. She appeared in all seven series, as well as the specials. In 2013, she appeared in five episodes of the BBC soap opera Doctors. Between 2014 and 2016, Cheshire also appeared in the BBC series In the Club as Geraldine for 12 episodes. The actress appeared in a second episode of Casualty in 2015, during the show's twenty-ninth series. In this appearance, she played patient Pam Poole opposite Paul Trussell as Derek Owen. From 2017 to 2022, Cheshire portrayed the role of Lorraine Bird in the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge.

Cheshire died on 19 December 2025, at the age of 65. Her death was announced by her husband John Dixon on social media, whom she had been married to since 1979.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1999 Stanton Blues Jo Warren 2 episodes 2001 Phoenix Nights Aerobics Woman 1 episode 2001 Clocking Off Mad Beryl 1 episode 2001 Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise Hot Pot Television film 2002 Having It Off Pammy Rocket 1 episode 2002 Harold Shipman: Doctor Death Canteen Lady Television film 2002 Mrs. Meitlemihir Courtyard Woman Short film 2003–2004 Early Doors Joan Main role; 12 episodes 2004 Fat Friends Nurse 1 episode 2004 No Angels Press Officer 1 episode 2004 Holby City Pam Carr 1 episode 2005 Down to Earth Tricia Jenkins 1 episode 2006 Goldplated Margaret 1 episode 2006–2007 Tittybangbang Various 5 episodes 2007 The Afternoon Play Patty 1 episode 2007 Instinct Judith Television film 2007 Life on Mars Big Bird 1 episode 2007 Sound Shay's Mum Television film 2007 The Street Second Woman 1 episode 2007–2012 Waterloo Road Fleur Budgen Recurring role; 10 episodes 2008 Florence Nightingale Watson Television film 2008 Sunshine Joan 1 episode 2008 Massive Lorraine 6 episodes 2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Mum Supporting role 2009 The Royal Mrs. Hastings 1 episode 2010 Chatroom Yorkshire Housewife Supporting role 2010 Poor Wee Me Betty Film 2011 In with the Flynns Mrs. Barton 1 episode 2011 Casualty Sandra Orr 1 episode "Momentum" 2011–2018 Trollied Sue Main role; 63 episodes 2013 The Johnny and Inel Show Vacuum Lady 1 episode 2013 Doctors Vanessa Harding 5 episodes 2014–2016 In the Club Geraldine Main role; 12 episodes 2015 Casualty Pam Poole 1 episode "Knock Knock Who's There?" 2016 The Life of Rock with Brian Pern Train Driver 1 episode 2016 Moving On Kim 1 episode 2017–2022 Ackley Bridge Lorraine Bird Main role; 39 episodes 2022 Incompatible Nurse Short film Sources: