Auntie Wainwright: Jean Alexander

Jan 1 2000

Auntie Wainwright

Browsers step foot in Auntie Wainwright's antique emporium at their peril.

On entry, they are immediately greeted by a disembodied voice with the instruction: Stand where you are - these premises are protected by spy satellite! Actress Jean Alexander has described her character as like a snappy little Yorkshire terrier and she has certainly proved to be more than a match for Compo, Clegg and Foggy. Clegg especially is frightened to go in the shop because he knows she'll be waiting, ready to pounce.

Auntie has the knack of persuading customers to part with their cash-when it comes to bargains, she can fix you up with just about anything. She never misses an opportunity for a sale - when she spotted nephew Howard cycling to a clandestine meeting with Marina disguised in women's clothing she was quick to tell him that she had a wide selection of outfits available for future occasions.

Many an unusual contraption from Auntie's shop has featured in Foggy's madcap schemes-a sailboard and an inflatable bouncy castle to name but two. For former Coronation Street star Jean, the role has marked her return as a TV regular. After bidding a fond farewell to Hilda Ogden, she appeared as Auntie Wainwright in two Summer Wine Christmas specials. In 1992, she was delighted to return-this time as a regular member of the cast.

Jean says Last of The Summer Wine has long been one of her favourite TV series-she particularly admires Roy Clarke's writing.

"Last of The Summer Wine has got this lovely, slow-pace humour, it's different from all the other situation comedies and the scenery is marvellous."

She enjoys working with the other cast members and crew whom she describes as a "very friendly and talented company." She remembers working with Kathy Staff for a time when she was in Coronation Street - Kathy played Vera Hopkins from the corner shop.

Another Summer Wine colleague Gordon Wharmby appeared in a number of minor roles in the Street and 20 years ago they appeared on stage together in the play Arsenic And Old Lace.

Jean is now taking life at a gentler pace, spending much of her time at home in Southport or visiting friends around the country. She enjoys visiting Yorkshire - appearing in Summer Wine has introduced her to places like Holmfirth and Marsden which she did not know before.