Farewell Lilo Lill: Belfast-born star of Bread passes away at 73
Corrie’s Charlie Lawson leads tributes to woman famous for playing ‘Lilo Lill’ on TV
Belfast actress Eileen Pollock — best known for her role as Lilo Lill in the hit sitcom Bread — has been hailed as a “hugely-loved and well-known talent” following her death at the age of 73. In a 2004 interview, Eileen insisted she had no problem with being remembered as ‘that tart from Bread’. “People will always remember me as Lilo Lill and it’s wonderful,” she said.
ACTOR Charlie Lawson has paid tribute to Belfast star Eileen Pollock — who has passed away at 73 — as he recalled the “good craic” they had working alongside each other.
She was best known for her portrayal of Lilo Lill in the BBC comedy series Bread.
In a death notice Ms Pollock’s family said she had died peacefully at her home in London on Sunday.
She is survived by sister Natalie, and was described as a “loved aunt” and “great aunt”.
“Your beauty, laughter and loving eyes gave joy to all,” her family said.
Ms Pollock was born in Belfast and studied languages at Queen’s University.
After working briefly as a technical translator she joined Bush Theatre in London, before working with the political theatre collective Belt And Braces.
Frustrated at the lack of roles for women, she left the company and co-founded the women’s group Bloomers, and later Camouflage, for which she wrote a number of plays.
She worked extensively with companies including Field Day, Charabanc and Dubbeljoint in Ireland, as well as many others around Britain.
Ms Pollock was best known for playing the part of Lilo Lill in the BBC television comedy from 1986 to 1991. At its peak in 1988 Bread pulled in 21m viewers.
In a newspaper interview in 2004, when asked about having a title for life, Ms Pollock said: “I disbelieve actors who say ‘I want rid of that image’ because people will always remember me as Lilo Lill and it’s wonderful.
“I like it when someone says in a supermarket: ‘You know who you remind me of, don’t take offence, that tart from Bread’.”
Coronation Street star Lawson appeared alongside Ms Pollock — who was known as Polly to her friends — in Mike Leigh’s 1984 BBC television film Four Days In July.
Set and filmed in her native city, the drama explored the Troubles by following the daily lives of two couples on either side of the religious divide, both expecting their first children.
“Polly played a brassy Falls Road girl as I recall,” Lawson said last night.
“She was a very strong actress in terms of her personality and I remember having good craic with her on set.”
Actors Network Agency (ANA) described her as a “wonderful” person in a tribute.
“Polly was a hugely loved and well-known talent of stage and screen both here and in Ireland, working with some of the biggest names in film like Ron Howard and Mike Leigh,” tweeted ANA.
“But perhaps she will most famously be remembered for making us all chuckle as series regular Lilo Lill in Bread.
“Having been part of ANA for many years, she was deeply involved in our community, helping to spot new talent and always stopping by Lambeth Walk for a chat and a cup of tea (usually with a generous load of sweet treats for everyone!).
“We send our love to all who knew Polly.
“She was truly a powerhouse of an actor, with huge generosity and spirit.
“We will miss our dear friend and will always remember her as our wonderful, witty, brilliant Belfast girl!”
Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, added: “Eileen was a much-loved and highly regarded doyenne of theatre, film and TV.
“Her iconic portrayal of Lilo Lill in the classic sitcom Bread was comedy dynamite and entertained millions.
“I knew her when I was a kid in Belfast involved in the Lyric Theatre and she lit the room up with a hearty laugh and a big friendly smile.
“It feels like a beautiful piece of the Northern Irish creative landscape has just fallen away.”
Ms Pollock appeared in other productions such as Easter 2016 in the Play For Tomorrow series (1982), After You’ve Gone (1984), and Wild About Harry (2000).
She also starred in US actor-turned-director Howard’s sweeping 1992 melodrama Far And Away alongside Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2004 she played the Wicked Witch in the pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk in Middlesbrough.
‘She was a very strong actress in terms of her personality and I remember having good craic with her on the set’