Actress Anita Carey, who has died at 75, played Brenda Summers and Joyce Smedley in Coronation Street

Actress Anita Carey passed away at the age of 75, which is 13 years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yorkshire-born Anita’s biggest roles include playing Vivien March in Doctors and portraying the character of Joyce Smedly on Coronation Street.

Anita Carey first came to prominence in the 1970s when she starred in such TV shows as ‘The History of Mr Polly' and ‘The Spoils of War.’ However, before landing the role of Joyce Smedley in ITV’s Coronation Street in 1996, she starred as domestic abuse victim Brenda Summers in the soap in 1978.

Anita’s character Brenda Summers was befriended by Emily Bishop (the actress Eileen Derbyshire played her). The Guardian reported that Anita Carey said the following about her character Brenda Summers. I’ve done so much comedy on television that I was anxious to get a really meaty dramatic role,’ said Carey, who researched the subject by talking to women at a Manchester refuge.”

For her second role in Coronation Street, Anita Carey played Joyce Smedley from 1996-1997. Joyce Smedley was the mother of Judy Mallett, played by Gaynor Faye. The character of Joyce Smedley was a cleaner at a travel agency and the Rovers Return who was sacked by Alec Gilroy after stealing. The Guardian also reported that “Carey was one of the victims of a headline-hitting cast cull by new Coronation Street producer, Brian Park.”

From 2007-2009, Anita played the role of receptionist Vivien March in BBC’s Doctors and won best dramatic performance at the British Soap Awards for her portrayal of her. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Anita still continued with her career and acted on stage in Washington and New York.

Anita, who was born on 16 April 1948, was married to actor Mark Wing-Davey, the couple shared two daughters, Zanna and Isabella.

Actors who have played different roles in Coronation Street

Anthony Schaeffer

Antony Schaeffer reportedly holds the record for playing the most number of characters in Coronation Street and has starred in 14 different roles in the ITV soap. He first appeared in the soap as a doctor in 1980 and went on to play such roles as a solicitor, a teacher, a councillor and two different car salesmen.

Michael Turner

Michael Turner who recently appeared in the High Court case against Mirror Group Newspapers, is renowned for his role as Kevin Webster in the ITV soap. However, he first appeared in Coronation Street at the age of 15 as a paper boy.

Alison King

Best known for playing Carla Connor since 2006, actress Alison King also appeared as an unrelated character Mrs Fanshaw in 2004.

Joe Duttine

Before starring as Tim Metcalfe in Coronation Street, Joe Duttine played the role of a policeman in the ITV soap. 

Sue Cleaver

Coronation Street favourite Sue Cleaver who starred in I’m A Celebrity, had played a nurse in the soap six years before taking on the role of Eileen in 2000.

Maureen Lipman

Maureen Lipman played the role of Lilian Spencer in 2002 and then returned to the soap as Tyrone’s grandmother Eileen in 2018.

Before starring as Bernie Winter in 2019, actress Jane Hazelgrove had played teenager Sue Clayton in 1985.