Maggie Jones

Maggie Jones (born 21st June, 1934) is a British actress who plays battleaxe Blanche Hunt, the mother of Deirdre Barlow, on Coronation Street, a role she first played from 1974 to 1976, with guest appearances in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1998 before she once again became a permenant cast member from 2000. Maggie took over the role of Blanche from Patricia Cutts, who commited suicide after appearing in only two episodes.

Maggie first appeared on Coronation Street in a small role in 1967 as a shoplifter. Her other credits include Nearest And Dearest, Dalziel And Pascoe, Heartbeat and Peak Practice, and she won British Soap Awards for Best Comedy Performance in 2005 and 2008.