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Anita Harris at Sheppey Little Theatre, Sheerness, Kent

13:00, 21 February 2017

She has worked with comedy giants Morecambe and Wise, helped magician David Nixon perform tricks on Saturday night TV and once had arguably the most famous legs in showbusiness.

At 74, however, actress Anita Harris has no plans to stop and is still touring theatres across the country, visiting this weekend.

Her career has spanned more than 50 years. It all began when, as a 15-year-old ice-skater she was spotted by talent scouts and ended up in Las Vegas.

Anita says: “It happened completely out of the blue. I had been living in Bournemouth but took up ice skating. My skating partner was brilliant and went to London to train.

Anita Harris
Anita Harris

“My parents drove me up the A303 so I could see what it was like and while I was dancing a talent scout offered to sign me up for a ballet in France.”

When that fell through, Anita was offered a review as a chorus girl in the gambling capital of the US where Mae West, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack were performing.

“It was an incredible start,” she says.

When she returned to the UK she joined the Cliff Adams Singers and appeared alongside Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams, Sid James and Jim Dale in Carry On Nurse and Carry On Follow That Camel in 1967.

She recorded hit songs and performed alongside Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark and became a pantomime institution as a long-legged Peter Pan, as well as appearing in seven Royal Command Performances and in the West End in Cats.

Back in the day... Anita with legendary comedian Tommy Cooper
Back in the day... Anita with legendary comedian Tommy Cooper

Despite her age insists Anita has no plans to call time on her showbiz life.

“When I am on stage the power of what I call Dr Footlights gives me the energy to keep going. I love it.”

She has put together the story of her life with photos and videos of stars like former Goon Sir Harry Secombe and crazy magician Tommy Cooper and will pepper the evening with anecdotes.

“It should certainly bring back memories,” she says.

Behind the scenes Anita has also been working on a tribute to celebrate the 100th birthday of wartime forces’ favourite Dame Vera Lynn. And is working on her biography.

“It will all be there. I’m going to be completely honest,” she says.

Anita is still working non-stop
Anita is still working non-stop

DETAILS

An Evening with Anita Harris, with pianist Peter Gill, is at the Sheppey Little Theatre, Meyrick Road, Sheerness on Saturday, February 25.

Tickets cost £20 on 01795 580006.

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