Farewell dancer Marie
MARIE Ashton, the theatre star and widow of iconic comedian Jack Diamond, has died aged 83.
Best known for her time performing as a Roly Poly girl with Les Dawson, Southport-born Marie appeared in five Royal Variety Performances, on Des O’Connor Tonight and Surprise Surprise.
She joined the five-piece in 1982 after spotting an ad in a stage magazine asking for plus-size lady dancers and the role would eventually take her round the world. After their debut with Dawson, they took part in five more of his shows and went on to perform in France, Holland, Sweden, Hungary, Italy and Japan.
The Roly Polys carried on until Marie had a stroke. She was paralysed down the right side of her body and confined to a wheelchair.
But after intense physiotherapy and lots of rest she regained the movement on her right side and was able to walk again.
Speaking to the Visiter in 2008, she said: “The doctors said that it was my discipline as a dancer that helped me pull through and near a full recovery.”
The married couple moved back to the town in 2007 and set up in a Lord Street apartment which was adorned with photos and memorabilia of their days in show business.
She explained at the time: “I just felt it was the right time to come back to my home town. I feel safe here and it’s nice to be able to go around the old haunts and see people I haven’t seen in ages.”
Jack, who one of the biggest stars during Blackpool’s heyday and featured in Coronation Street, died in 2016. The couple had no children.
Marie, then 79, said: “He was a lovely man, throughout when I had my stroke and everything. I could not have asked for a better one.”
Reflecting on her own career, she remembered being especially popular with German audiences.
‘‘The Germans loved us. I think it was mainly due to the fact we were big ladies and were like nothing they had ever seen before!
“My greatest memories of being a Roly Poly girl were all the Royal Variety Performances. To perform for royalty was such an honour.
She added: “When I used to do the pantos I loved performing in Southport, in front of my home town.
“The Roly Polys were going to perform in Southport again, but we were unable to do this after my stroke.
Comedian and TV star Jimmy Cricket paid tribute to his friend, writing: “So saddened to hear of the passing of Marie Ashton, I had the great pleasure working with her and the rest of the girls, they were such fun to be with backstage.
“So glad she found happiness with the great comedian Jack Diamond as they settled in Southport.”