Lorraine Cheshire, 'Trollied' and 'Early Doors' Star, Dies at 65
Actress Lorraine Cheshire has died at the age of 65. Her partner, John Dixon, shared the news on Friday in a Facebook post. Known for her warm and memorable performances, Cheshire built a career spanning comedy and drama over two decades.
Cheshire trained at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre, starting her studies in 1978. She later described the experience as challenging at first but said she eventually found her footing. Despite her training, she only began acting professionally at 38.
Her first television role came in 1999 with a part in *The Cops*. She once called the experience a 'baptism of fire', marking the start of her on-screen journey. From there, she landed a recurring role as Joan, Eddie’s wife, in the BBC sitcom *Early Doors*. Between 2007 and 2012, she became a familiar face as Fleur Budgen in the school drama *Waterloo Road*. Later, she took on the role of Sue in Sky TV’s supermarket comedy *Trollied*, appearing in 63 episodes from 2011 to 2018. Over the years, her work spanned both comedy and gritty drama. Yet she remained grounded, often reflecting on her late start in the industry with humour and honesty.
Cheshire leaves behind a body of work that includes beloved characters in Early Doors, Waterloo Road, and Trollied. Her death was confirmed by her partner, who shared the news with fans and colleagues. She will be remembered for her versatility and the warmth she brought to her roles.
