Born in Nottingham, Su Pollard, 75, began singing in pubs and working men’s clubs at the age 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. In 1986 she had a UK hit single with Starting Together. She has appeared in more than 35 stage plays and musicals and, in 2023, received the UK Pantomime Association’s outstanding achievement award. Her Still Fully Charged tour returns next month. She lives in London.
When were you happiest?
Getting my full Equity card as a professional 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 deplore in yourself?
I don’t say that I’m perfect but there’s nothing that I deplore.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
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 a lovely buffet and a few drinks and then I had to get a cab back to the train 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 and the 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 their country understand that power is not everything.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
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 the Copacabana club in Earl’s Court, London. He asked me for my autograph and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Fame.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Work. Work enlivens me every day.
after newsletter promotion
What does love feel like?
Like you’ve got no other thought in your head.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
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 life has taught you?
Stay out of other people’s business.
What happens when we die?
We drift off to a beautiful place where we live a better, fuller life than what we’ve left.