For many Briton's throughout the 1960's Hattie Jacques represented the quintessential figure of female authority through her portrayals of a policewoman, teacher and most famously the starch-ridden matron in the "Carry On" series of films. To the rest of the nation she became imbedded in the public consciousness as Eric Sykes' wide-eyed, somewhat naïve, but eternally loyal sister. However, the truth of the matter is that Hattie Jacques was a consummate professional, much loved by those that worked with her, as well as being a continual source of comfort to her fellow professionals who at times would need a confidante or a friend to lend moral support.

"She never lost her temper and was always helping people with their problems," remembered Carry On co-star Barbara Windsor. "If she had one fault," said her agent, Felix de Wolfe, "it was that she could easily be put upon. She was constantly getting requests to do charity work, personal appearances and opening bazaars. And she tried to attend every one."

Hattie Jacques was born in Sandgate, Kent, in 1924, and trained as a hairdresser before the Second World War during which time she worked first as a nurse and then as an arc-welder at a North London factory. It was here that she discovered she had a talent for making people laugh, although she was the first to admit that this was a defensive reaction. "When you're my size', she said, 'you're conditioned from childhood to people making jokes against you. You have to make them laugh with you, rather than at you."

After the war her brother landed a job as a lift operator at London's celebrated Little Players' Theatre and it was here that Hattie got her first taste of the stage, singing Victorian songs at late night reviews. It was also here that she developed her famous Christmas Fairy persona, as Antedota the outsize Fairy Queen in her own version of a Victorian Cinderella. (It was role that she would return to throughout her career, remaining faithful to the Players' and contributing as either performer, producer or writer). Hattie then toured with the Old Vic before landing one of her first film roles as early as 1947 in Nicholas Nickleby. The following year she appeared in Oliver Twist and also alongside Bill Owen in Trottie True.

But it was on radio that Hattie was to find more permanent employment and her voice became known as Sophie Tuckshop, the greedy schoolgirl in Tommy Handley's 'ITMA' (It's That Man Again). Following this she voiced Agatha Danglebody in 'Educating Archie' and it was here that she met one of the scriptwriters, Eric Sykes. Hattie also became a regular on 'Hancock's Half Hour' radio series.

1958 was the year that the 'Carry On' series made its cinema debut with 'Carry On Sergeant,' and Hattie appeared as the no-nonsense medical officer Captain Clark. In March 1959 Hattie made her first appearance with Eric Sykes in 'Gala Opening', a one-off 60 minute spoof extravaganza from 'The Floral Hall, Grapplewick", (the only other actor in the production was Stanley Unwin). This was also the year that Hattie created one of her most enduring roles as Matron in 'Carry On Nurse,' a part that she would return to another four times (in 'Camping,' 'Doctor,' 'Again Doctor' and 'Matron'). The following year she again teamed up with Eric Sykes for a new TV series, "Sykes and a..." in what was on this occasion the start of a twenty year TV partnership.

Although best remembered as Sykes' comic partner, Hattie appeared in a number of other TV productions. The 1960 series 'Our House' was written by Norman Hudis, screenwriter of the early 'Carry On' successes and also starred other 'Carry On' regulars Charles Hawtrey, Bernard Breslaw and Joan Simms. This comedy was about 9 assorted people who pool their resources and buy and share a ramshackle house. The comedy was very much in the style of the cinema series with the usual pratfalls and belly-laughs with the cast falling and tripping over furniture, and although it lasted for a couple of series (Hilda Baker joined the regulars for series two), it has since disappeared from public memory.

Hattie was awarded her own TV series in 1964. In 'Miss Adventure' she played the male-hunting investigator Stacey Smith, who stumbled into global escapades as a confidential investigator for a private-eye company. The programme was presented as a series of multi-part stories; 'Strangers in Paradise' (6 parts), 'The Velvet Touch' (4 parts), and 'Journey to Copenhagen' (3 parts) and unlike her 'Carry On' and 'Sykes' roles Hattie played this one fairly straight, although her natural bubbly presence shone through. Ernest Maxim produced the thirteen 45 minute episodes. She also appeared in Bernard Cribbins' sketch show series in 1965, and in a number of Frankie Howerd specials, as a guest on 'That Was The Week That Was' and in the first series of 'The World of Beachcomber' (1968). There was a 1970 surreal sitcom from John's Wells and Fortune and the playwright N F Simpson called 'Charley's Grants'. Willoughby Goddard starred as the monstrous Lord Charley, who sought grants from Miss Manger (Hattie) of the Heritage Trust in a series that attempted to ridicule the 'arts-grants' system.

Following the success of a TV 'Carry On' Special in 1969 ('Carry On Christmas' in which Hattie appeared), there were two series (totalling 13 episodes) of 'Carry On Laughing' made through the 1970's and Hattie appeared in four of these. (She also made one more Christmas special, the third of four, which was called 'Carry On Stuffing'). From 1972 Hattie returned to Eric Sykes' side once again for a revival of the situation comedy that had finished seven years earlier. This time the series was in colour and lasted for 68 episodes the last of which appeared in 1979. The following year Hattie made one more special with Eric, 'Rhubarb Rhubarb'. Shortly after the filming of this show Hattie died of a heart attack. She was 56.

Eric Sykes said of his dear friend, "She was one of the very best." And referring to their first meeting on the 'Educating Archie Show' he said, "I knew from that one performance that she was a natural." Her ex-husband John Le Mesurier, with whom she had two sons, said of her, "We always remained affectionate friends. She was a kindly, wonderful woman who would help anybody." Peter Rogers, producer of the 'Carry On' series remembered how she would sit on the set doing The Times crossword when members of the cast would come over to her and unburden themselves of their problems. "Hattie would listen carefully and dispense her advice. She was the Mother Superior of the Carry On family."

Although she presented an imposing figure on screen Hattie Jacques managed to play a diverse range of roles when she may so easily have become typecast. Although many of her friends believed that she never received the recognition she deserved for her acting talent the truth of the matter is that over the years it won her a legion of fans that still remember her today. Eric Sykes summed her up perfectly when he said, "She was one of the best comedy actresses we have ever had and a very lovely lady." A fitting tribute to a very big talent and a very big heart.