Colette O'Neil (born "Mary Irene Colette McCrossan" on 18th November 1935 in Glasgow, died 11th July 2021 also in Glasgow) appeared on Coronation Street between May and July 1966 as community social worker Ruth Winter.
After school she went to Glasgow University, intending to take a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. After taking drama lessons in her spare time however, she successfully auditioned for a repertory company. She went on to work for Royal Court Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was spotted by Coronation Street producer Peter Eckersley in an ITV production of D.H. Lawrence's The Blind Man opposite Patrick Allen and thought her right for the part of Ruth.
Her career included television roles in Kidnapped, The Wars of the Roses, Z Cars, several roles in Dr. Finlay's Casebook, Adam Adamant Lives!, Dixon of Dock Green, The Pilgrim's Progress, Spindoe, Crown Court, Couples, The Standard, The Spoils of War, Doctor Who, Maybury, Taggart, Casualty, Peak Practice, Doctors, Bad Girls, EastEnders, Wallander and Shetland.
Film roles include Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, The Smashing Bird I Used To Know (with Patrick Mower and Dennis Waterman) and Mortdecai.
On stage, she appeared in productions of Celebration, Progress to the Park, Butley, A Pagan Place, Commedia, Clowns and The Women of Lockerbie.
