ITVX’s latest drama, Nolly, is now available to watch on the streaming service. The three-parter comes from Welsh writer Russell T Davies, who has also just returned to Doctor Who.
In the lead role is The Crown's Helena Bonham Carter, who plays actress Noele Gordon. The woman known as 'Nolly', which the series is about, passed away in 1985 aged 65.
But who was the real Noele Gordon, what was she famous for and what happened to her? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who was Noele Gordon?
As mentioned, Gordon was an actress and was best known for her role in ITV soap opera Crossroads, where she played Meg Richardson (then Mortimer) from 1964 to 1981. Her acting career began after she attended RADA before appearing in various West End productions such as Brigadoon, The Lisbon Story and Call Me Madam.
The late actress also appeared in a few British films and presented The Weekend Show for Associative Television. After her acting career stalled, she studied Television at New York University before returning to produce and presented the Birmingham-based ATV Midlands. Gordon was also notably, the first woman to interview a British Prime Minister during her chat show, Tea with Noele Gordon.
What was Noele Gordon famous for?
In 1964, Gordon joined Crossroads, a new ITV soap opera that was produced by ATV. Her role as Meg Richardson was specifically designed for her. She was the only cast member to have a permanent contract.
After 17 years in the role in 1981, Gordon was sacked when ATV was reconstituted into a new company called Central Independent Television (CIT) The new company was determined to cancel the soap entirely but couldn't due to ATV's commitment to the programme. In firing Gordon, CIT had hoped that viewers would desert the show and they'd, therefore, be able cancel the series in favour of other programmes.
What did Noele Gordon do after being fired from Crossroads?
After being fired, Gordon would return to Crossroads in 1983 for two episodes. She was then asked back again in 1985 when the show was revamped and renamed Crossroads Hotel. Following her exit from the soap, Gordon continued to act and appeared in various theatre productions across the country including in Leceister, London and Plymouth. In 1982, she underwent two operations for stomach cancer and then retired to her home in Birmingham, where she died in 1985. Nolly is available to watch now on ITVX. For more TV and showbiz stories, subscribe to our newsletter here.
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