By gum, chuck! It’s your chance to wear Hilda’s curlers

THE curlers, headscarf and pinny worn by Coronation Street battleaxe Hilda Ogden are to go under the hammer.

They are being sold by the family of actress Jean Alexander, left, who died aged 90 last year. She played Hilda in the ITV soap from 1964 until 1987 and was loved for her ‘Ta ra chuck’ catchphrase. Also in the sale will be many of Alexander’s personal items including her teddy, awards and a book given to her by Sir Laurence Olivier. A spokeswoman for auctioneers Outhwaite and Litherland said: ‘Jean was loved by millions all over the world as Aunt Hilda. She was even big in Australia, so we are expecting interest from all over. It’s difficult to say how much things will sell for. It will be down to her star power.’ The sale is being organised by Alexander’s nieces Sonia Hearld and Valerie Thewlis.

Ms Hearld found items including the pink pinafore in her late aunt’s wardrobe, telling a local paper the actress had attached a handwritten note which read: ‘Hilda’s curlers, headscarf and pinny.’ The sale will be at the Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport, on May 17.