As The One Show drew to a close, presenter Alex Jones wanted to mention the death of a beloved star.
Helen Kelly Head of Screen Time
19:40, 06 Nov 2025
Alex Jones pauses The One Show to deliver ‘sad’ news
On Thursday evening’s The One Show, hosts Alex Jones and Scott Mills were joined by Anita Rani and her dad Bal, Harleymoon Kemp, and actor Isla Fisher.
After chatting the guests about each of their projects, Alex turned her attention to the camera and paused the show to pay tribute to Pauline Collins.
Alex said: “On the subject of great films and great actors, before we end tonight, we just wanted to mention the sad news that actor Pauline Collins has died aged 85.
“Now, many will fondly remember her of course for her Oscar nominated performance in Shirley Valentine.
“She’s also been a guest here on the sofa and our thoughts are very much with her friends and family.”
It comes after a statement, which was released by her family on Sunday, became public on November 6.
Alex turned her attention to the camera and paused the show to pay tribute to Pauline Collins
It read: “Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens.
“She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them.
“More than anything, though, she was our loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma. Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us. And she was John’s life-long love. A partner, work collaborator, and wife of 56 years.
“We particularly want to thank her carers: angels who looked after her with dignity, compassion, and most of all love. She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her.”
Pauline will be well-known to many thanks to her roles in The Liver Birds and Upstairs Downstairs.
But it was her roles as a Liverpool housewife who rediscovers herself on a trip to Greece that won the hearts of the nation.
Pauline is survived by her husband John Alderton and their children and grandchildren.
