Fanny Cradock

Born Feb 26, 1909 · Leytonstone, London, England

Between the mid-50s and mid-70s, Fanny Cradock (born Phyllis Nan Sortain Pechey) was a household name in the UK for her television appearances as a no-nonsense, abrasive chef. Her partner, Johnnie Cradock, often played the part of her henpecked onscreen husband, though they didn't actually get married until 1977, after her TV career had ended. Cradock's reputation was such that a dramatisation, Fear of Fanny (2006), was made, and she was a target for parody, often impersonated by Benny Hill and others. Although a regular personality on television, her career is generally regarded as having ended after an appearance on The Big Time: Gwen Troake's Banquet (1976), where her rudeness to an amateur chef led to the BBC terminating her contract. In later years Fanny was involved in the chat show circuit, including Wogan: Episode #6.94 (1986). Although her role as a TV chef takes prominence in her public persona, she was also a restaurant critic and writer, authoring over 20 novels for adults, 10 novels for children, two autobiographies and multiple cookery and travel books. She died in December 1994, aged 85.