Kathy Staff

Kathy Staff (born Minnie Higginbottom; 12 July 1928 – 13 December 2008) was an English actress, well known for her work on British television. She is most famous for her portrayal of Nora Batty on the longest running sitcom in the world Last of the Summer Wine.

Last of the Summer Wine

Born in Dukinfield, Cheshire, Staff was best known for her role as one of the main characters, Nora Batty, in the long-running BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine. She played Nora from the pilot episode in 1973, until 2008, the year she died. She lived above the mischaevous Compo, who was deeply in love with her. But despite everything, Nora very much disliked Compo at times. She was well known for having tea at Edie Pegden's house along with Ivy, Glenda Wilkinson (Edie's Daughter) and Pearl Sibshaw. Nora was married in the series to Wally Batty.

Early life and career

She began her acting career with touring repertory companies in 1946, changing her name to Katherine Brant. After she married John Staff in 1951, she adopted the surname as her stage name, hence Kathy Staff. She retired from the stage at this point to raise her family, but starting working as an extra for Granada Television in Manchester in the 1960s.

Television

Staff had a regular role as Doris Luke in the popular ITV soap opera, Crossroads from 1978 to 1985 and 2001 to 2002. Her other television roles included Coronation Street as Vera...
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