Sarah Parish and her mum
Sarah Parish with her mum, Thelma
Actress Sarah Parish, 40, lives with her husband, actor James Murray, 35, in Hampshire. Sadly, their eight-month-old daughter Ella-Jayne, who was born with a heart defect, died two weeks after this interview, but Sarah requested it be published and wanted to highlight the work of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton General Hospital (friendsofpicu.org.uk).
My earliest memory is of sitting at Mum’s dance school, watching her teach a ballet class. I decided that’s what I wanted to be. Mum’s always been a talented dancer. When she was 12 she got a TV contract to be the next Shirley Temple, but her mother wouldn’t let her do it.
Our house was very theatrical and every Christmas we’d put on a pantomime. It was a lot of fun.
My mum was deputy head of my secondary school, which could have been difficult, but I loved it. I remember once walking into my Mum’s office to find eight thuggish six formers huddling in a circle with Mum in the middle, all having a smoke! She had time for everyone.
Retired teacher Thelma Parish, 80, lives in Yeovil with her husband, Bill. She has three children, John, 49, Julie, 47, and Sarah, 40.
Sarah’s acting career started when she was two. I was in a play at our local theatre and realised I’d forgotten my wand. I whispered to the wings and she appeared with it. After that, she refused to get off the stage!
I know that my job may have been difficult for Sarah and quite possibly overshadowed her at times. She didn’t come into her own until she went to college - she got all these parts that had nothing to do with me and she bloomed.
I’ve always thought Sarah had something special, so I'm not surprised that she’s been so successful. She’s this wonderful mix of vulnerable and strength of character. I do often worry that she pushes herself too hard, but then I always do too.
Sarah stars in Mistresses on BBC1
