Play School host and Carry On star Julie Stevens dies aged 87

Prestwich-born Play School presenter Julie Stevens has died aged 87, her family have confirmed. The former children's TV presenter and Carry On actress had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.

She sadly died on Thursday, December 5, it was announced last night (Monday). Her daughter, radio presenter and podcast host Rachel New, said: "Julie Stevens will be remembered for her joyful spirit, her ability to make every child feel seen, and her lasting legacy in the world of children’s television."

Stevens was born on December 20, 1936, and leaves behind two children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. After winning a talent contest aged 20, she secured a contract with ABC Television Limited.

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She joined the cast of spy series The Avengers in 1962 as nightclub singer Venus Smith, who would help Patrick Macnee’s character John Steed in his missions, before picked to play Gloria in 1960s comedy film Carry On Cleo. In 1964, her daughter said she was heavily pregnant with her first child Daniel when she auditioned for children’s programme Play School.

The popular children’s programme made its debut on BBC Two’s launch on April 21 1964, and ran for 24 years, until March 1988. It shaped the childhood of millions and catapulted many of its presenters to fame - including Rick Jones, Brian Cant, Johnny Ball, Toni Arthur, Floella Benjamin, a presenter, actress and writer and now a Liberal Democrat peer.

Stevens was also known for comedy shows Girls About Town and Cabbages And Kings as well as Play Away, a series for older children, and appeared on Holby City. She worked for a spell as Welsh comedian and Oliver! actor Sir