Julie Stevens (born Julia Bullas; 20 December 1936) is an English actress, presenter and singer, best known in Britain for her appearances on children's television.
Julie Stevens | |
|---|---|
 Stevens at a Play School reunion event in 2004 | |
| Born | 20 December 1936 Prestwich, Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | Stand Grammar School |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, presenter, singer |
| Spouses | John White
(m. 1962; sep. 1975)Michael Hucks (m. 1981–2001) |
Acting career
editStevens was born in Prestwich and attended Stand Grammar School. She trained as a nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary, after starting her television career as a comedienne in TV show Bid for Fame.[1] She was a regular on Play School and Play Away, and provided vocals for the schools television series Look and Read.
During the 1962–63 season she played Venus Smith, an occasional partner of John Steed in the TV series, The Avengers, alternating with Honor Blackman's Cathy Gale.[2] Venus was a nightclub singer, and each of her appearances included at least one musical number. She appeared in only six episodes, and Stevens is not usually included in the list of "Avengers girls".
In 1964, Stevens appeared in the British comedy film Carry On Cleo playing the slave girl Gloria. She also co-starred with Denise Coffey in the 1969–71 ITV comedy series Girls About Town, and appeared in the children's historical comedy series Cabbages and Kings (1972) alongside Johnny Ball and Derek Griffiths.
Music career
editIn 1971 she had a single, "Tally Man," released on the MCA label.[3] She also released another single that year, "After Haggerty," backed with "A Long Way From Home" which was released on Barry Class' Trend label, cat no. 6099 008.[4][5][6]
Personal life
editShe married actor John White[7] in January 1962; they had two children, but separated in 1975. Stevens was later married to the actor and director Michael Hucks from 1981 until 2001. White, who was also a presenter on Play School during the late 1960s, died from bone cancer in 1993.[8]
Discography
edit- Songs from Play School, with Rick Jones and Jonathan Cohen (1969)
References
edit- ^ "Julie Stevens sitting". Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ "The Avengers Forever: Julie Stevens".
- ^ Record Mirror, December 25, 1971 - Page 13 MIRRORPICK REVIEWS, singles
- ^ Seventies Sevens - TREND
- ^ Beat Instrumental, February, 1968 - Page 24 INSTRUMENTAL NEWS, BARRY CLASS STARTS TREND RECORD LABEL
- ^ Left and to the Back, 7 March 2018 - Julie Stevens - After Haggerty/ A Long Way From Home
- ^ "Evening Times - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ^ Here's A House: A Celebration of Play School, Volume 1, Paul R Jackson, 2010