On The Cover Paula Wilcox “I Don’t See The Point In Retiring!”
Former Man About The House star Paula Wilcox talks to us about her zest for life and her new role in Coronation Street
She’s been on our TV screens for 50 years, but woe betide anyone who suggests that Paula Wilcox might consider slowing down.
Not only has she just taken on a fascinating new role, playing CoronationStreet’s kind-hearted Elaine Jones, but the acclaimed actress still feels like a teenager at heart.
“I remember years ago going to visit my granny and she said to me, ‘I’m 89 and I still feel 18 inside.’ I thought, ‘Oh you silly old thing!’ and now I know what she meant! I know that exact feeling, because I still feel 17. People look at you differently, but you don’t change inside. I still have a zest for life – there are still masses of things I want to do and I still love my job. I don’t see the point in retiring, I don’t know what I’d do!”
Paula’s busy schedule is certainly testament to her boundless energy. Trying to find a time to even speak to her proves tricky, because she’s been filming on the cobbles in Manchester, as well as in Devon for a new TV series, so a lot of her time has been spent dashing up and down the motorway. “It’s been terrific, but insane!” she chuckles.
“There’s been great euphoria, mixed with total panic, as there’s been a lot going on.”
Paula (71) has been entertaining us through the decades. Best-known for her role as flirtatious Chrissy Plummer in the hit 1970s comedy series ManAboutThe House, she has starred in shows as varied as Grantchester, the popular comedy series Boomers and the BBC2 sitcom Upstart Crow. Her extensive theatre career has seen her appear in a host of productions, from La CageAuxFolles to Driving MissDaisy.
Many also remember her from TheQueen’sNose. “It was a children’s show in the 1990s,” she explains. “It was utterly brilliant and a lot of people who are in their 30s, who were children at the time, remember me from it. Sometimes they’re just overcome when they meet me, because it was so much a part of their childhood.”
Few people know w however, that one of Paula’s very first TV roles, back in 1969, was actually in CoronationStreet, as Ray Langton’s wayward teenage sister Janice.
“My character was pretty rough and she was very mouthy with Elsie Tanner,” she recalls. “One of my mother’s friends was a big Corrie fan. She said to me, ‘Oh, I’m s o glad you told that Els sie Tanner where to get off!’ She’d known me sinc ce I was a child, but to hher it was like I was my character. It’s incredible how powe erful the show can be.”
Only 19, Paula had d just finishing training at th he National Youth Thea atre in London and it’s a tim me she looks back on with fo ond memories.
“England was a ve ery hot place to be in 1967, it t was like the centre of the univ verse,” she says. “I’d just mo oved to London and it was th he Swinging Sixties – the e clothes,
“England in 1967 was a very hot place to be,, it was like the centre of the universe”
the parties, the Youth Theatrre. I had a great time.”
Paula returned to the cobbles last summer – 51 yeaars later – to play Elaine, the firstt wife of abusive Geoff Metcallfe. Elaine bravely appeared in court in December, giving evidence as Geoff’s third wifefe Yasmeen faced trial for attempting to kill him. Following Elaine’s testimonyy the jury were swayed in Yasmeen’s favour.
With cruel Geoff having barred Elaine from the life off her son Tim when he was growing up, she is now tentatively trying to get to know him as an adult.
“It’s hard to really know what’s going oon behind that little buttoned-up cardigan,” Paulla says of her character. “She’s been through a terrible experience and is clearly very delicate as a result, but she stepped up and gave evidence. I like people who rise to a challenge.”
Elaine is currently helping Yasmeen out at her restaurant Speed Daal. Paula says, “I think she’s helping out of the goodness of her heart, I don’t feel like she needs the work. She wants to be there in case Yasmeen should fall, so she can help catch her.”
As thrilled as she is to have a regular role on the cobbles, Paula admits that joining such a treasured institution in its 60th year, slightly filled her with trepidation. “It’s a big show,” she explains. “It has a massive viewing public and what you’re doing is going to be seen by a lot of people, so you’d better be good!”
With Paula’s incredible acting talents there’s certainly no doubt on that score.