She knew you know...
...the life and career
of Hylda Baker
During the 1930s, Hylda started to produce her own rather risque touring revues.
'Bearskins and Blushes' (left) was a typical example and many similar shows followed. During World War Two there was an insatiable demand for such shows.
Hylda toured lesser variety theatre circuits for many years and despite some critical acclaim never reached the status of a 'top of the bill' act.
Hylda's private life was unhappy and somewhat scandalous.
Her often abrasive personality alienated many of her fellow artistes, including Jimmy Jewell, co-star of her most popular TV series, Granada's Nearest and Dearest.
Hylda Baker was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1905. Her father Harold (1883 - 1963) was a printer and signwriter with aspirations to become a professional entertainer.
This he eventually did and his young daughter soon began assisting Harold with his music hall act.
In 1924 Harold was on the brink of stardom when following an accident on stage he suffered a serious breakdown which blighted the rest of his life.
By the early 1950s, Hylda was so disillusioned with show-business that she seriously contemplated giving it all up and opening a fish and chip shop in her native Bolton.
However, her fortunes quickly reversed and in TV appearances with her silent stooge 'Cynthia' (always played by a tall man in drag) she became an 'overnight' star after forty years on the boards.
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