Jill Summers Popular Books

Jill Summers Biography & Facts

Jill Summers (born Honor Margaret Rozelle Santoi Fuller; 10 December 1910 – 11 January 1997) was an English music hall performer, actor and comedian. Her career in entertainment lasted eighty years and in 1982 she achieved stardom as Phyllis Pearce, in Granada Television's long-running soap opera Coronation Street. She made her last appearance in May 1996, and died eight months later. Early life Summers was born in Eccles, Lancashire, one of four sisters and a brother, to father Alf Rozelle, a circus tightrope walker, and mother Mary Fuller (stage name Marie Santoi), a famous revue artist. Born into a theatrical family, her grandmother was a well-known bare-back rider, and her uncle, Johnny Fuller, known as "The Famous Cat", frequently acted alongside Fay Compton in the pantomime Dick Whittington. Career She first performed on stage aged six. Her childhood was mostly unhappy, with her touring parents often leaving her with foster families. When Summers was 13, her mother died, and she went to work in a cotton mill.Summers formed a musical comedy double act with her half-brother, Tom F. Moss, during which time she performed at nearly every theatre in Britain. Her half-brother was the son of Summers' mother and Tom Major-Ball. Major-Ball later went on to marry Gwen Coates, and they had three children, one of whom, John, became British Prime Minister in 1990. In her early twenties, Summers damaged her vocal cords by reaching for a high note one night, cracking her voice, and by the end of the turn she was left with her distinctive gravelly voice.By 1939, she had left the stage to take up hairdressing and ran a combined hairdresser's and newsagent's with her first husband. During World War II, she entertained troops as part of ENSA, and was known as Lancashire Comedienne Jill Summers, the Pin-Up Girl of British Railways. Born Honour Fuller, her stage name was derived from her favourite measurement of alcohol, a gill, and her favourite time of year, summer, and when asked by an agent, her reply was "Jill Summers, the gill of a Summer's Day." Most of her variety material was written by her second husband, Dr Clifford Simpson Smith, including three of her best known sketches, "The Landlady", "The Bartered Bride" and "The Lady Porteress". She became a comedian when she tripped up on stage and swore, which the audience lapped up. Her act, "The Pipes of Pan", made her famous in London and the provinces. In the 1940s and 1950s, she frequently topped the bill as a singer on the then-powerful Moss Empire circuit.By 1949, her double act with Moss had split up when she discovered her half-brother had been keeping the bulk of the salary for himself. Summers continued solo, appearing alongside the top acts of the day. Her second husband, who she met in 1948, took over the management of her career and toured with her. By the 1960s, with theatres starting to close and variety acts falling out of fashion, Summers reinvented herself, and alongside her television work, launched on the club scene with an act featuring songs and comedy. It was said that the act often included "some very blue material". Amongst Summers' possessions were "a whole file of complaint letters from working men's clubs." The complaints were generally that she was too rude for the working men.In 1957 she landed her big break with her own television series, Summers Here, which featured a different star guest each week, such as Wilfrid Hyde White, Michael Bentine and Terence Alexander. As an actress, Summers' first television acting role was in 1969 in Kevin Laffan's twice-weekly Yorkshire TV soap Castle Haven, playing pub landlady Delilah Hilldrup. She also appeared in How We Used To Live, Stay With Me Till Morning, This Year, Next Year and an Alan Bennett Play For Today entitled Sunset Across The Bay.Her first brief appearance in Coronation Street was in 1972, playing Bessie Proctor, a cleaner working with Hilda Ogden. A decade later, in 1982, Summers reappeared as Phyllis Pearce, a blue rinsed pensioner, forever lusting after pompous ex-serviceman Percy Sugden. It was during her second stint in Coronation Street that she was reunited with Bill Waddington and Tom Mennard, two old friends from her music hall days. In 1994, she collapsed with angina on the set of This Is Your Life, when host Michael Aspel handed her the famous red book. Although her health continued to deteriorate through the 1990s, suffering from a heart condition and worsening angina, she refused to allow Phyllis to be written out. She continued to make increasingly occasional appearances, last appearing in the spring of 1996, after more than 500 episodes.Other appearances by Summers include Agatha (alongside Dustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave), Sez Lez (with Les Dawson), Ready When You Are, Mr McGill, and performing a Victoria Wood scripted monologue in 1982's Wood and Walters, as well as appearing in Wood's TV play Nearly A Happy Ending. Personal life and death Aged 17, Summers married her first husband, John Arthur Hunt, who was 20 years her senior, in Bucklow, Cheshire, in 1928. They ran a combined hairdressers and newsagents in Sale, Cheshire. Hunt died aged 57 in November 1948, leaving Summers widowed at the age of 37.The following year, Summers met surgeon Clifford Simpson Smith, who was in a theatre box in a Black Country venue, where she told a joke about seeing many a rotten egg in a box. They met after the show, and were married shortly afterwards in Stourbridge, Worcestershire. The couple remained wed until Smith's death in June 1984. They had no children, but Summers was stepmother to Smith's son, Stuart Turner. She lived in Ossett, West Yorkshire.In January 1997, Summers died in her sleep at Oaklands Hospital, Manchester, of kidney failure. Summer's last words in hospital raised a smile. A nurse offered her a drink: "A cup of tea, milk or a glass of water...?" Very dryly, she replied: "It gets better all the time." Summers passed away seconds later.In their autobiographies, released in different years, former Coronation Street stars Jean Alexander, Bill Waddington, Lynne Perrie, Julie Goodyear and Amanda Barrie described Summers as a true professional actress who was witty, hilarious and outspokenly funny. Summers was a member of The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings, a charitable organisation for women in show business. Filmography References External links Jill Summers at IMDb Jill Summers at corrie.net Short biography of Jill Summers. Discover the Jill Summers popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Jill Summers books.

Best Seller Jill Summers Books of 2024

  • All Riled Up synopsis, comments

    All Riled Up

    Lori Foster

    Trapped!Firefighter Ethan Winters may be his hometown’s new hero, but he’s played a starring role in Rosie Carrington’s fantasies for years. And Rosie has had just about enough of ...

  • Sweet Success synopsis, comments

    Sweet Success

    Susan Mallery

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery awakens the sensesand fills the heart with warmth and laughterin this tantalizing novel of a chocolatier’s search for love’s swee...

  • Other Women synopsis, comments

    Other Women

    Cathy Kelly

    Don't miss the stunning new novel from Cathy Kelly about sisterhood, love & friendship The Wedding Party is available to preorder now!'A burst of warmth and wit, twists and tu...

  • Paradise House synopsis, comments

    Paradise House

    Erica James

    Praise for Erica James'A wonderfully humorous novel following the dysfunctional Baxter family' Woman's Own'Completely absorbing' Sarah Morgan'A brilliant and gripping family drama ...

  • The Sunrise Sisterhood synopsis, comments

    The Sunrise Sisterhood

    Cathy Bramley

    'This was pure joy to read and left me feeling warm inside!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book pulled at my heart strings and broke me in places and then slowly pieced me back together again' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...

  • The Little Theatre by the Sea synopsis, comments

    The Little Theatre by the Sea

    Rosanna Ley

    The bestselling author returns with a gorgeous and evocative summer read about love and starting over. 'The perfect holiday companion' Heat'It will make you want to jump on the fi...

  • Calling Major Tom synopsis, comments

    Calling Major Tom

    David M Barnett

    'I loved everything about it.' Goodreads 'This book made me laugh, cry, giggle and gasp.' Goodreads'One of my favourite books of the year. Charming and very sweet.' Goodreads He...

  • Missing synopsis, comments

    Missing

    Susan Lewis

    What if your partner just disappeared without a trace?It's an early autumn day like any other as Miles Avery drives his wife, Jacqueline, to the station. Nothing remarkable crops u...

  • The Good Luck Sister synopsis, comments

    The Good Luck Sister

    Jill Shalvis

    This summer, romance blooms again in Wildstone! Take a sneak peek at Jill Shalvis's next Wildstone novel, Rainy Day Friends, in this charming new novella. After a difficult fe...

  • Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life synopsis, comments

    Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life

    Carmen Reid

    ‘Escapist summer reading at its best.' Jill MansellTess Simpson needs a break!No one appreciates her at home. No one appreciates her at work. And now her dog has died. She’s had en...

  • Chasing the Italian Dream synopsis, comments

    Chasing the Italian Dream

    Jo Thomas

    From the bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse comes a deliciously feelgood story about making your dreams come true, set in sunkissed southern Italy.'A tale full of...

  • A Summer Fling synopsis, comments

    A Summer Fling

    Milly Johnson

    A heartwarming and hilarious novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author  ‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available ...

  • The Family Gift synopsis, comments

    The Family Gift

    Cathy Kelly

    'Honest, funny, clever, it sparkles with witty, wry observations on modern life. I loved it' Marian KeyesAn uplifting story about one mother trying to hold it all together told wi...

  • The Barn on Half Moon Hill synopsis, comments

    The Barn on Half Moon Hill

    Milly Johnson

    THE QUEEN OF FEELGOOD FICTION!'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold' HeatCariad Williams has been writing to Franco Mezzaluna since they w...

  • One Italian Summer synopsis, comments

    One Italian Summer

    Rebecca Serle

    INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn this “magical trip worth taking” (Associated Press), the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years returns with a powerful novel about ...

  • The Hat Shop On The Corner synopsis, comments

    The Hat Shop On The Corner

    Marita Conlon-McKenna

    Hats! Hats! Hats!Upbrims, sidesweeps, silks, ribbons and trims all become part of Ellie's life when she inherits the little hat shop on Dublin's South Anne Street.But the city is c...

  • Thirty Days in Paris synopsis, comments

    Thirty Days in Paris

    Veronica Henry

    THE STUNNING AND ROMANTIC NEW NOVEL FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR VERONICA HENRY PREORDER NOW!'Magical, romantic, fantastique' MILLY JOHNSON'A perfect Parisian fantasy ever...

  • The Olive Branch synopsis, comments

    The Olive Branch

    Jo Thomas

    Can love bloom in the groves of Italy? 'I loved it!' Katie FfordeEscape to Italy with The Olive Branch the irresistible summer novel from Jo Thomas, author of ebook bestseller Th...

  • A Leap of Faith synopsis, comments

    A Leap of Faith

    Trisha Ashley

    'One of the best writers around!' Katie Fforde 'Full of downtoearth humour' Sophie KinsellaSappho Jones stopped counting birthdays when she reached thirty but, even with her hazy g...

  • My Kind of Happy synopsis, comments

    My Kind of Happy

    Cathy Bramley

    It started with a wishlist... Now can she make it happen?'A story bursting at the seams with sunshine' Milly Johnson'Filled with warmth and laughter' Carole Matthews'A delightfully...

  • Everything After synopsis, comments

    Everything After

    Jill Santopolo

    The Light We Lost mixes with a touch of Daisy Jones and the Six in this novel of first love, passion, and the power of choiceand how we cannot escape the people we are meant to be....

  • Call Me Maybe synopsis, comments

    Call Me Maybe

    Cara Bastone

    'Cara Bastone is one of the most talented writers in the romance genre today. With her signature blend of heart, humor, and honesty, Cara's books remind you that the best stories b...

  • The Wildflowers synopsis, comments

    The Wildflowers

    Harriet Evans

    'I adored The Wildflowers. A sweeping, epic, moving read' Marian KeyesThe new novel by Sunday Times bestseller Harriet Evans will transport you to a Dorset beach house, where you c...

  • Bay of Secrets synopsis, comments

    Bay of Secrets

    Rosanna Ley

    The #1 Kindle Bestseller returns with a gorgeous summer read about romance, family and the secrets we keep from those we love.'The perfect holiday companion' Heat'The ultimate fee...

  • The Currency of Love synopsis, comments

    The Currency of Love

    Jill Dodd

    In this “pageturning memoir of decadence and faith” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), Jill Dodd writes movingly and evocatively about her journey from Paris model to Saudi billi...

  • Stars in an Italian Sky synopsis, comments

    Stars in an Italian Sky

    Jill Santopolo

    From the New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost comes a sweeping story of two starcrossed lovers in postWorld War II Italy, and a blossoming relationship generation...

  • Married for a Month synopsis, comments

    Married for a Month

    Susan Mallery

    Two former lovers argue over the key to everlasting love in this charming, funny, and steamy romance from the “one of a kind” (RT Book Reviews) author Susan Mallery.Taylor McGuire,...

  • More Than Words synopsis, comments

    More Than Words

    Jill Santopolo

    "A smart, sexy, delicious novel."People"Santopolo is a true master of matters of the heart." Taylor Jenkins ReidFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost come...

  • Secondhand Bride synopsis, comments

    Secondhand Bride

    Jill Summers

    A mailorder mistake.  Agatha Chesterfield flees to Montana Territory for a new start as a mailorder bride, but her hopes are dashed when she arrives in the charming town ...

  • Everything is Fine synopsis, comments

    Everything is Fine

    Gillian Harvey

    'Just the escapism we need right now' EVENING STANDARD'Hilarious and relatable' WOMAN'A perfect weekend read' GRAZIAJessica Bradley has it all: the perfect boyfriend; influential h...

  • All For You synopsis, comments

    All For You

    Sheila O'Flanagan

    Sheila O'Flanagan's No. 1 bestseller ALL FOR YOU is a wonderfully engaging read not to be missed by fans of Lisa Jewell and Jane Green. 'A good summer read' HeatWinner of the Irish...

  • Dream On synopsis, comments

    Dream On

    Angie Hockman

    In this fresh romantic comedy from the author of Shipped, heralded as an “absolutely sparkling debut” by Entertainment Weekly, a woman wakes up from a car accident with memories of...

  • Must Be Love synopsis, comments

    Must Be Love

    Cathy Woodman

    The second novel in Cathy Woodman's hugely popular Talyton St George series. Each book in the Talyton St George series can be read as a standalone novel, but when Cathy first had t...

  • One Secret Summer synopsis, comments

    One Secret Summer

    Lesley Lokko

    'Very exciting from start to finish. It's wellwritten, engaging and fastpaced, with a plot you'll be gripped by. ... I couldn't put it down' DAILY MAILIn the perfect family, there'...

  • The Wedding Party synopsis, comments

    The Wedding Party

    Cathy Kelly

    THE NUMBER ONE IRISH BESTSELLER! 'A burst of warmth and wit, twists and turns' MARIAN KEYES on Other Women 'Warm, believable women with real, messy lives' RACHEL HORE on Other Wome...

  • A Good Heart is Hard to Find synopsis, comments

    A Good Heart is Hard to Find

    Trisha Ashley

    'Trisha Ashley writes with remarkable wit and originality one of the best writers around' KATIE FFORDE, author of A Springtime AffairIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a ...

  • The Car Share synopsis, comments

    The Car Share

    Zoe Brisby

    'I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Amazon reviewer 'Outrageously funny!' Amazon reviewer 'Extremely touching' Amazon reviewer 'An absolute delight' Netgalley reviewerThe PERFECT C...

  • Sweet Talk synopsis, comments

    Sweet Talk

    Cara Bastone

    'Cara Bastone is one of the most talented writers in the romance genre today. With her signature blend of heart, humor, and honesty, Cara's books remind you that the best stories b...

  • The Man I Think I Know synopsis, comments

    The Man I Think I Know

    Mike Gayle

    As seen on ITV in the Zoe Ball Book Club'Beautifully written, thoughtprovoking and completely charming.' Ruth Hogan'Mike Gayle is the king of touching, human stories, and this bigh...

  • The Girl With No Name synopsis, comments

    The Girl With No Name

    Reine Andrieu

    Heartbreaking. Gripping. Terribly captivating.'Read it in one sitting!' Madeleine, Amazon reviewerShe may not remember her name,but her body knows.1940. When a French family is fo...

  • A Private Affair synopsis, comments

    A Private Affair

    Lesley Lokko

    No matter who you are, love comes at a price...'Perfect for a lengthy spot of tanning ... immerse yourself in the lives of four women looking for love' GRAZIA'Bestselling author Le...

  • Call of the Penguins synopsis, comments

    Call of the Penguins

    Hazel Prior

    'The perfect fireside read. Veronica McCreedy will capture your heart' TRISHA ASHLEY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Christmas Invitation'This gorgeous book has everything!...