Joanna Lumley she was born in Kashmir, India on 1st May 1946 where she spent her early life. On moving to England in her teens she took up ballet and then went on to modelling. Acting soon beckoned and one of her earliest opportunities was in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Sevice. The miniscule part she played in this did not reap many rewards, though small roles in a few horror films ensued in the early seventies. She married comedy writer Jeremy Lloyd in 1971 but sadly the marriage did not last long. A short stint in the eternally-popular soap Coronation Street followed plus occasional appearances in the pompous, self-satisfied 'celebrity' gameshow Call My Bluff. But acting opportunities were running out and Jo seriously considered taking herself and her young son to the USA.

Then, at the end of 1975, came the announcement that a new series of The Avengers was going into production and that the search was on for a new girl to partner Patrick Macnee’s John Steed. Speak to Jo and she'll tell you that she had a desperate fight just to get an audition, so was absolutely delighted at the news that she had won the role of Purdey. Although The New Avengers never attained the popularity of its forebear, it nevertheless led to Jo becoming recognised. While waiting to hear about a proposed third New Avengers series in 1979, Jo was asked by Midlands-based ATV to star in a new television series they were considering. Sapphire and Steel was (and remains) one of the strangest, yet fascinating television series ever. It concerned two superbeings (though outwardly human) with extraordinary powers to turn back time, open locked doors, predict the future or determine the age of an object. The premise to the series was that Time was a malevolent force, continually trying to harm mankind. Sapphire and Steel (Joanna and David McCallum respectively) were agents (or 'elements') sent to counteract Time's actions. Six serials were filmed between 1979 and 1982 and there are often murmurings of a revival.

Several movies throughout the 1980's followed, including the two controversial Pink Panther films and she made regular appearances as co-presenter (with Terry Wogan) on the BBC's annual charity programme Children in Need.

However lead roles were becoming hard to secure, though she played opposite Ian McShane in one season of the popular Lovejoy in 1992.

To many Joanna's "comeback" was with the Jennifer Saunders sitcom Absolutely Fabulous where she played Patsy Stone, an eternally-enebriated, domineering and shallow 'fashion advisor', recognising that she is aging, desperately tries to hold on to her youth by sporting a beehive and an eye for younger men. Unfortunately as the show progressed into its second season it never seemed half as funny as it thought it was and relied more on the foibles of the characters than the actual scripts. Many people hailed AbFab as the 'resurrection' of Jo's career but this is unkind as she has never really been out of the limelight.

One other worthy mention is that of her appearance on the first edition of Ruby Wax's show The Full Wax. This included a ten-minute sketch where the two women played themselves. Ruby rescued Jo from a 'drying-out' clinic and the two went off to see various TV producers in the hope of finding Jo a job. To demonstrate her acting skills, Jo donned her Purdey gear and went through a routine of the familiar balletic fighting techniques while Ruby played the New Avengers theme on a cheapo tape recorder. Just hilarious! And far from mocking the show which made her famous, in some way it was actually a tribute to it. Like Gareth Hunt, Jo has always readily admitted the stardom The New Avengers brought her and often recalls how much she enjoyed making the show. To this day Jo remains one of the most popular faces on British television.

Very many thanks to Ashley Brooks for much info concerning Jo’s filmography! Also to a chap called Mark who didn't leave his surname!