‘A heart of gold’ –Young Doctors star Lyn dies, 87
AWELSH actress who starred in a long-running Australian soap opera has been remembered for her “heart of gold”, following her death at the age of 87.
Lyn James – who was born Margaret James in the Rhondda valley – rose to fame appearing as a receptionist in The Young Doctors from its inception in the 1970s until it ended seven years later.
The actress – mum to son Nicholas and fellow actress and daughter Sally, who is best known for her own role in The Young Doctors as well as Waterloo Station and Sons and Daughters – was married to New Zealand TV producer Eric Tayler, who died in 1997.
Darran Gray, her manager, said: “Lyn was a very special lady with a heart of gold and it was my absolute privilege to have known her.
“She enriched my life, and the lives of many others, through her kindness and generosity.”
Born in November 1929, Ms James was the daughter of theatre actor and producer Jack James and won a place at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art aged just 16.
There she won various awards – also meeting fellow student Eric, who she would later wed.
The pair graduated in 1949, with one talent agent’s prediction she would be a star “within two years” proving correct as both went on to forge hugely successful careers in entertainment.
Ms James made her professional debut in 1949 playing Delith Gwyn in a regional theatre tour of the Welsh comedy Wishing Well, written by E Eynon Evans.
Ms James and Mr Tayler, by now happily married, then joined the West of England Theatre, receiving “rave reviews” for their performances, before later signing up to The Comedy Theatre in the West End.
Mr Tayler found considerable success directing episodes of Maigret and Sherlock Holmes, and was soon head-hunted by ABC in Australia, meaning the family moved there in 1965.
Ms James worked on various Australian series until 1976 when she was cast as Helen Gordon in the medical drama The Young Doctors.
Helen was the personal assistant to the medical superintendent of the hospital and became a firm favourite with viewers – always on hand to give advice to the young doctors and nurses but a little less successful at running her own life.
The character was engaged nine times, survived the attentions of a crazed handyman, contracted several near-fatal diseases, and killed her lover’s son when she crashed the seaplane she had been learning to fly.
Ms James remained with the serial for its entire run and, after it ended in 1983, continued to appear in movies such as Olive in 1988 as well as featuring in stage productions in Australia.
Mr Gray added: “Away from the limelight Lyn and Eric were noted for their marvellous parties attended by friends such as Vincent Ball and John Meillon. Lyn was a wonderful hostess, a great cook, and Eric always had fascinating stories to tell from his remarkable career.
“Lyn loved nothing more than spending time with her family, she was an avid reader and cherished her early morning walks along Balmoral Beach with her dog and her friend Bunny Gibson.”
Ms James is survived by their son Nicholas, daughter Sally, and her grandchildren.