Comedians are rebels, especially female comedians. They see the world differently, since for the most part, the world is ordered by men, who tend to be very serious. Su Pollard, on the other hand, evidently enjoys absurdity and silliness and simply being happy.
Strictly speaking, actress, Su Pollard’s first role was as an angel in a Nativity play aged six, while at the Berridge Road School in Hyson Green. Her break, as such, was appearing on Britain’s Got Talent forerunner, Opportunity Knocks in 1974. Prefiguring her later career, she came second, singing “I Cain’t Say No” from musical Oklahoma! to a man called Harold Gumm, who showcased his singing dog, Jack.
Happily, Pollard used her talent for appearing to be the most unlikely star in the world to land a role in a 1980 pilot for television comedy, Hi-de-Hi! written by the legendary duo, David Coft (1922 – 2011) and Jimmy Perry (1923 – 2016) about a fictious Butlin’s style holiday camp. As joyful but dowdy cleaning lady, Peggy Ollerenshaw, Pollard became a household name, starring in nine series between 1981 and 1988.
Rebelling against type, she also got to number two on the UK singles chart with the song ‘Starting Together’ in 1986, and also released an album, Su.
Pollard would’ve done well in the age of music hall, since her persona takes much from acts like Gracie Fields (1898 – 1979, see: ‘Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye’). Like Fields, perhaps what endears her so much is that the roles she plays are usually plucky ‘underdogs’ who try to succeed against the odds.
Indeed, underdogs are rebels. They don’t care that their chances of success are limited. Arguably, Pollard is an underdog, with an unconventional look and manner. Perhaps it’s this that makes her successes so joyful to audiences, not least since many of us feel like imposters or underdogs occasionally, and it’s difficult not to root for her.
Once said: “Someone once said to me ‘Never dismiss how you became famous because if you do, you’re essentially laughing at other people’s memories.’ And I’ve always lived by that rule because so many people have good memories of Hi-de-Hi! I know I do, so I never take it for granted.”
Brief summary: Su Pollard is irrepressible. Her secret may just be that she’s far more talented and intelligent than most people will ever understand.
Nottingham Rebels 