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Gretchen Franklin

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Actress

The Resume

    (July 7, 1911-July 11, 2005)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Portrayed Ethel Skinner in 'EastEnders' (1985-2000)
    Appeared in the films 'Shadow of Fear' (1954), 'Ticket to Paradise' (1961), 'The Murder Game' (1965), 'How I Won the War' (1967), 'The Night Visitor' (1971), 'The Three Musketeers' (1973), 'The Quartermass Conclusion' (1979) and 'Return to Waterloo' (1984)
    Appeared on the West End stage in 'Sweet and Low' (1940), 'Slings and Arrows' (1948), 'Verdict' (1958) and 'Spring and Port Wine' (1965)

Why she might be annoying:

    Her roles were described as 'dithery females, dotty spinsters or nosy landladies.'
    As Ethel Skinner, she had a pug named Willy and was always asking the double entendre line, 'Has anyone seen my Willy?'
    She discovered that Willy was chauffeur-driven to the EastEnders studio while she had to take the bus.
    After her EastEnders character was killed off, she said 'I didn't miss the show, only the money.'

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was a former Tiller Girl and could still do high kicks in her late 70s.
    She said, 'I can play comedy scenes or the tearjerkers. The producers and directors have finally realized that.'
    She donated her EastEnders royalties to her favorite animal charities, saying 'At my age, one isn't buying new fur coats and diamonds.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 23 Votes: 26.09% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 88 Votes: 51.14% Annoying