Born in Nottingham, Su Pollard, 75, began singing in pubs andworking men’s clubs attheage of 16 and appeared on Opportunity Knocks in 1974. She went on to play Peggy in the BBC television sitcom Hi-de-Hi! from 1980 to 1988. In1986 she had a UK hit single with Starting Together. She has appeared inmore than 35 stage plays and musicals and, in 2023, received theUKPantomime Association’s outstanding achievement award. HerStill Fully Charged tour returns nextmonth. She lives in London.
When were you happiest?
Getting my full Equity card asaprofessional performer.
What is your greatest fear?
Dying too young, and spiders.
What is your earliest memory?
Five years old, sitting on a tree stump, being kissed on the lips by this young boy on our estate. It was fantastic.
What is the trait you most deploreinyourself?
I don’t say that I’m perfect but there’s nothing that I deplore.
What is the trait you most deploreinothers?
People who aren’t kind enough.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Gloria Hunniford’s wedding at Hever Castle 20-odd years ago. We had alovely buffet and a few drinks andthen I had to get a cab back to thetrain station. I said to the driver: “I’m ever so sorry, but I’m not going to be able to hang on till I get to the train. Could you possibly take me down this alleyway?” He said: “Yes, of course.” As I prepared myself to go “to the ladies”, this police car came along andthe policeman said: “Hi-de-Hi!”
Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A hand-painted beaded dress from New York. It weighs about 16lb and cost me £4,000, 30 years ago.
Describe yourself in three words
Kind, fun and professional.
What would your superpower be?
Making people who are running theircountry understand that power isnot everything.
What do you most dislike about yourappearance?
My hair’s too thin.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Always losing pens.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Freddie Mercury. I met him in theCopacabana club in Earl’s Court, London. He asked me for my autograph and gave me a hug andakiss on the cheek.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Fame.
What or who is the greatest loveofyour life?
Work. Work enlivens me every day.
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What does love feel like?
Like you’ve got no other thought inyour head.
Which words or phrases do you mostoveruse?
It was a nightmare!
How often do you have sex?
In my head, every day.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
Sixty years ago, a policeman on the beat at about 2am saw me pinching two bottles of milk off somebody’s doorstep. He said: “That’s a bit naughty.” I said: “I won’t go to prison, will I?” He said: “I’ll let you off this time.”
How would you like to be remembered?
For bringing positivity to people.
What is the most important lesson lifehas taught you?
Stay out of other people’s business.
What happens when we die?
We drift off to a beautiful place wherewe live a better, fuller life thanwhat we’ve left.
