Vanda Godsell

Early life Nancy Evelyn Godsell was born in Bognor Regis, Sussex, as the youngest child to Reginald Godsell, a retired Royal Navy commander who had participated in the Battle of Jutland, and his wife, Muriel Wilfreda Rachel Ellington (née Abbott or Jacob), an author, who was the sister of Naomi Jacob, a novelist. (née Godsell), an actress, (née Godsell, formally Young), an editor in the publishing world. She made her television debut on 3 April 1949, with the role of Mirabelle in the television film My Mother Said.

She made her broadcasting debut on 4 March 1950, as the voice of Lulu Smith in the BBC Home Service production of the BBC Television series Sunday Night Theatre. She made her film debut in November 1953, with the role of Angela Neilson in the second feature ('B') crime film Flannelfoot.

Godsell portrayed Hilda Wardle in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She appeared in 14 episodes from 25 January 1961. The character was a lady friend of Christine Hardman's uncle Edwin Mason, who came to make sure Christine has enough money to live on following her mother's sudden death.

Godsell portrayed Katie Heenan in the BBC One soap opera The Newcomers from 1966 to 1969.

Godsell retired on 5 September 1983, following her role as Woman in the debut episode of the ITV television series Reilly, Ace of Spies.

Personal life Godsell married her first husband, George Selway, an actor, in Marylebone, Middlesex in October 1954. The couple divorced in 1957, after two years of marriage.

Godsell married her second husband, Alan Joseph Orchard (born 4 December 1924), in Hampstead, London, in January 1964. She was widowed in April 1979, after 15 years of marriage.

Death On 2 April 1990, Godsell was found dead at age 67, lying naked in an empty bathtub at her North Kensington home. Her funeral service and cremation took place on 17 April 1990 at Mortlake Crematorium.

The inquest into Godsell's death was held at Hammersmith Crown Court in early November 1990, and heard from her sister-in-law, Frances Atcheson, that she had been prone to drinking heavily. Coroner John Burton reported that her body was in such a state of decomposition that her cause of death could not be ascertained. Burton recorded an open verdict.

Filmography Stage

Television

Radio

Film

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