Sheila White

Sheila Susan White (18 October 1948 – 7 September 2018) was an English film, television and stage actress.

Early life and career Sheila White was born in London. A theatre tour of Counter Crime followed, then the musical tour of The Roar of the Greasepaint—the Smell of the Crowd starring Norman Wisdom and Willoughby Goddard, written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley in which she played one of the urchins alongside Elaine Paige, with choreography by Gillian Lynne.

White's major break came playing the part of Eileen in the musical On the Level at the Saville Theatre. She was taken out of the chorus and the song "Bleep – Bleep" was written especially for her as a solo feature. This led to her being cast as Bet, Nancy's best friend in the film version of Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! (1968). She accompanied Shani Wallis as Nancy and Mark Lester as Oliver in the songs "It's a Fine Life" and "I'd Do Anything".

Film and television In 1969 and 1970, White starred opposite Rodney Bewes in the first two series of the sitcom Dear Mother...Love Albert. She received glowing reviews for her performance as Messalina, the third wife of the Emperor Claudius (Derek Jacobi) in the BBC classic serial I, Claudius (1976), and in EastEnders she played Carol Hanley, the biological mother of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). Musical appearances on television included the variety series The Songwriters, several Royal Variety shows, and The Good Old Days with Leonard Sachs. She made her final TV appearance in an episode of the comedy series A Many Splintered Thing (2000) with Alan Davies.

Her 1970s film appearances included the role of Rosie Noggett, sister of Timothy Lea (Robin Askwith), in all four Confessions films, Villain (1971) with Richard Burton, Alfie Darling (1975) with Joan Collins, Silver Dream Racer (1980) with David Essex, and the Walt Disney comedy Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979).

Theatre White's extensive theatre credits as a West End leading lady included Mary Pickford in The Biograph Girl for Harold Fielding, directed by Victor Spinetti; Eileen Wells in On the Level; Young Belle in Little Me; Ruby in the London production of Dames at Sea; Samantha in Queen Daniella with Danny La Rue and Sonia Walsk; and the British production of They're Playing Our Song.

Personal life and death Between 1967 and 1970 White was in a relationship with Alan Whitehead, the drummer of chart-topping group Marmalade. Although engaged for two years they never married.

White became semi-retired after her marriage to (then) theatre producer Richard M. Mills in 1983. The couple had two sons.

Following a long illness, she died of heart failure on 7 September 2018 at age 69.

Filmography The Ghost Goes Gear (1966) as Polly Stranger in the House (1967) as Hazel Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1967) as Paula Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (1968) as Tulip Oliver! (1968) as Bett Villain (1971) as Veronica (1972) as Venus "Cookie" De Palma Confessions of a Window Cleaner (1974) as Rosie Alfie Darling (1975) as Norma Confessions of a Pop Performer (1975) as Rosie Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976) as Rosie I, Claudius (TV, 1976) as Messalina Confessions from a Holiday Camp (1977) as Rosie Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979) as Alisande Silver Dream Racer (1980) as Carol