Chesterfield-born Last of the Summer Wine actress dies aged 73

Susan Mallinson, who had secondary breast cancer with complications, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Born in Chesterfield under her maiden name of Susan Colledge, she began studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Then known as an opera singer, the mezzo-soprano lived in Barcelona for four years and on her return to England went on to make an LP with the label EMI.

Susan Mallinson in her younger days. Picture submitted.

Susan later became a leading elocution teacher and trained footballers, presenters, newscasters, clergy and the judiciary in the art of public speaking.

She was best-known for appearing as the broad Yorkshire barmaid in Britain’s longest-running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and lived in the picturesque Yorkshire town of Holmfirth, where the show was filmed, for more than 30 years.

The role led to further acting abroad and Susan starred in two major Spanish films, the psychological thriller El Segundo Nombre in 2002 and musical comedy Los Managers in 2006.

In recent years, she entertained thousands as a guest speaker on cruise ships and gave talks to many groups over the north of England.