Howards’ Way star Dulcie Gray dies aged 95

Dulcie Gray who had a long stage, movie and television career has died aged 95. She was best remembered in recent years for her role in BBC drama, Howards’ Way.

Described by The Stage magazine as one of the “best-loved British screen and stage actors of the second half of the last century” the actress is reported to have died earlier today at theatrical care home Denville Hall from bronchial pneumonia.

Gray was born in 1915 in Kuala Lumpur and later trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts before making her professional career debut in 1942 movie Banana Ridge in an un-credited minor role. Throughout the 40s she became a key player in numerous melodramas for the Gainsborough Studios as well as a successful run in theatre which included many West End performances.

Many of her television appearances were as one-off roles in lavish dramas such as ITV Play of The Week and Play for Today. Her biggest television success would come in 1985 when she began a five year stint on Howards’ Way as Kate Harvey in the glamorous nautical Sunday night drama.

She also worked in television, theatre and film alongside her husband Michael Denison which spanned their 59-years of marriage until his death in 1998.

Gray also had a successful career sideline as a novelist writing over 20 books. She was awarded a CBE for services to drama in 1983.