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Hylda Baker

Born in Farnworth near Bolton and educated at Plodder Lane Council School, Hylda Baker was a star from the moment she embarked upon her career. At thirteen she was earning £25 a week as a headline act.

Using the catchphrases 'Be soon' and 'She knows you know' she rose to national stardom in the 1950s with her music hall characterisation of a fast talking gossip aided by silent stooge 'Cynthia'.

Hylda Baker and 'Cynthia'


In 1960 Hylda was given a part in the film 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' and this led to parts in two further films 'Oliver' and 'Up The Junction'.

Throughout the sixties she appeared in various stage plays and a number of television programmes all with great success, but it was as Nellie Pledge in the Granada TV sitcom 'Nearest & Dearest' that Hylda reached the peak of her popularity. The programme ran for seven series from 1968 until 1973.

She made her last television appearance in August 1978, appearing on 'Top Of The Pops'. Wearing a blonde wig and leathers, she teamed up with comic actor Arthur Mullard to perform their Top 20 hit 'You're the One That I want'.

Hylda Baker spent the last years of her life in a nursing home for retired variety performers and died alone in Horton Hospital on May 1st 1986. It is reported that there were less than ten people at her funeral.

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