Penny Spencer
Classic '60s/'70s dolly bird actress noticeable for her wide toothy smile, short miniskirts and mega-eyelashes. She's probably best remembered today for playing Sharon, the bombshell of 5C in 'Please Sir', causing John Alderton's Mr Hedges to loosen his collar on numerous occasions. Despite this, in 1971 she was replaced in the role by the perkier, but less sassy 'Carry On' actress Carol Hawkins, who was also in the movie version and later spin-off 'The Fenn Street Gang'.
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| In 'Please Sir!' with Peter Cleal |
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| 'Count Down to Danger' (1967) |
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| In an episode of 'Paul Temple' with George Baker and Ros Drinkwater, wife and co-star of Francis Matthews |
Before that she had been seen in better stuff like 'Georgy Girl' (1966) and 'The Whisperers' (1967) with the mighty Avis Bunnage. She also starred as the resourceful Sue in the Children's Film Foundation's 'Count Down to Danger' (1967), a 'Screen Test' favourite.
On TV, her role as Sharon overshadows fleeting appearances in 'Man in a Suitcase', 'UFO' and Derek Nimmo's 'All Gas and Gaiters'. As far as I can discover, she disappeared off the celebrity radar without a trace. I hope she is doing well.
Penny Spencer - imdb
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| 'The Whisperers' (1967) |
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| The final straw? Stripping off for Glynn (Winchester Club) Edwards and Gavin ('That's Life') Campbell in 'The Playbirds' (1978) |
On TV, her role as Sharon overshadows fleeting appearances in 'Man in a Suitcase', 'UFO' and Derek Nimmo's 'All Gas and Gaiters'. As far as I can discover, she disappeared off the celebrity radar without a trace. I hope she is doing well.
Penny Spencer - imdb
is nt there something in the software
ReplyDeletethat allows people to enter their e mail and get notif of future posts on the blog ?
I saw Penny in a Sunday teatime magazine show circa 1990 where she appeared in a reunion with Liz Gebhardt, Peter Cleall, David Barry and Deryck Guyler.
ReplyDeleteThe actors weren't in the studio with the presenters but were shown in a filmed insert sitting in a classroom. The former pupils (I can't be doing with the American practice of calling schoolkids students!) were chatting when Deryck Guyler entered the room and said something like "Stand by your desks, 5C".
I don't think the others knew Deryck was coming and he said he hadn't seen Penny in ages. I remember reading a newspaper article about Penny a year or two prior to this (oddly enough it was a Sunday paper IIRC) and it mentioned that she'd given up acting and was living a sort of hippy/commune lifestyle.
I knew Penny back in the 80s at that time she was living in hullbridge essex.a lovely perwon
DeleteI knew Penny back in the 80s at that time she was living in hullbridge essex.a lovely perwon
Deletehahaha....i mean a "lovely person"..and I only meant it once Or you could say "so nice it posted twice"..
DeleteI too knew Penny in the 80's.
DeleteShe was having a tough time of it with substance abuse, as was I.
She was a great girl.
I do remember her I like these acresses of the 70,s in the Uk. They aattract me alot.
Deletejust wish she had stayed on in Please Sir...
ReplyDeletePenny and Carol Hawkins sat together in the front desk
then she could have gone on to be in Fenn St Gang...
then maybe the odd Cary On movie ....
they let her down big time
Yes true . She should have done more u f o too and more t v
DeletePenny was a far better "Sharon" than Carol Hawkins, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that she got caught up in substance abuse.
I think Penny made a better Sharon as well
DeleteI remember how watching Please Sir was one of the highlights of my early teens.I agree, Penny was in my opinion, the Sharon that I preferred.Nothing against Carol at all.Just my own personal preference.I think we all wanted to believe, that we could be like 5C.Seems so innocent nowadays!
ReplyDeleteIs she still alive I think I knew her as Sally.
ReplyDeleteStill alive but keeps herself private nowadays
ReplyDeleteI knew her before she became known as sharon from please sir.
ReplyDeleteShe came from Uxbridge in middlesex I used to see her on way to school way back.
Happy news for you: http://fanderson.org.uk/gerryandersonnews/2019/01/penny-spencer-to-appear-at-supercelebration/
ReplyDeleteAh, that is good news! Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteJust watched her in best legs in the business with reg Varney good film she’s beautiful
ReplyDeleteAye, always preferred Penny as Sharon, lovely girl, perfect for the part!
ReplyDeleteDo u know if she is still alive great actress
DeleteGuys it's a dude
ReplyDeleteSaw her last night in an episode of Public Eye where she appeared as a double act with Tony Melody. Dressed in the skimpiest sparkly bikini, she had a figure to die for in those days!
ReplyDeleteShe was the most beautiful actress of her time. I hope she is ok.
ReplyDeletePenny was great in Please Sir and always so appealing and sweet (Public Eye is a good example).There may have been several reasons why she left Please Sir but it would knock your confidence that's for sure. Well we love you Penny!
ReplyDeleteI preferred Penny as Sharon thought she played her better watch her and the rest of the gang on telly
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager I had a major crush on sexy Penny Spencer
ReplyDeleteI think that might be George Baker rather than Stanley in the Paul Temple still? Love this blog - amazing work!
ReplyDeleteYou're quite right. A lapse of attention from me, will re-edit.
DeleteYes, she was by far the better of the two 'Sharons' . . . absolutely gorgeous and played the part with so much more 'edge' and 'attitude' than her replacement.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read on this blog she may have had or still be having some hard times . . . hope she sees this blog with all its supportive comments.
ReplyDeleteI agree
DeleteSo sad to see her take her clothes off in the ladybirds her face says it all
ReplyDeleteIf anyone likes Public Eye with Alfred Burke, she's in a Christmas Episode entitled Horse and Carriage playing an exotic dancer.
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