Coronation Street actress and Roly Polys comedy star dies

18 December 2023 , 16:31

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Coronation Street actress and Roly Polys comedy star dies

Former Coronation Street actress and Roly Polys star Mo Moreland has died aged 87.

She was best known as the lead dancer in the comedy dance troupe The Roly Polys but also starred in two episodes the ITV soap as well as the Les Dawson Show and the Little & Large Show. She died at a nursing home on the Fylde coast in Lancashire after a long illness.

Mo, originally from Sheffield, frequently performed with Les Dawson as part of the dance troupe. Tracy, Les Dawson's widow, said she was "like a mum and a sister – my best friend and confidante".

"We are devastated," she continued. "Mo lived with my daughter Charlotte and I and helped me bring Charlotte up. She was a great comfort when I lost Les and I will really miss her."

Mo Moreland has died aged 87 after a long illness

Charlotte Dawson, Les' daughter, added: "Heartbroken beyond words... My Mo. I've been dreading this day since I was born... It was always going to come but I've never wanted it too. For those who don't know auntie Mo was my dad and my mum's bestest friend (she became basically my dad when he died)/auntie Mo. But also an icon... she was the Roly Poly out of the Roly Polys. She has had Alzheimer's and sadly was in a home for the last 10 years."

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Comedian Jimmy Cricket, who featured performance bills with Mo and The Roly Polys, said: “Mo was a real pocket rocket – a true star who was also a great friend, who came to my 40th and 50th birthday parties.”

Syd Little, who performed with Mo with his late comedy partner Eddie Large, said: “Mo was lovely. We had some great times on stage with her and the Roly Polys. I remember one sketch in which Eddie was ‘Little Mo’ alongside her and the audience loved her. She will be sadly missed.”

Mo Moreland was a member of dance troupe The Roly Polys (Birmingham Post and Mail)

Mo, born Maureen McCluskey, made her performing debut at the age of three when she attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. She performed as The Mighty Atom, at just 4ft 11ins tall, and was trained as a skill dancer, particularly in tap.

The performer was married to singer Roy Moreland from 1959 until his death in 2001. They first met when they were due to appear on the same bill together and were engaged to be married until Mo called it off.

Their paths crossed years later while Mo was engaged to another man but she soon realised she had made a mistake breaking off the wedding to Roy and married him six days later. They performed as an act called The Mighty Atom and Roy.

In 1982 she joined The Roly Polys after her great friend Les Dawson suggested the act to her. She appeared on TV shows such as Blankety Blank and Bullseye as well as an appearance in Coronation Street.

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Charlotte McIntyre