Joan Francis (born 1st April 1920 in Lancashire, died 22nd November 1995 in Manchester) appeared on Coronation Street between January 1961 and November 1969 as Elsie Tanner's best friend, Dot Greenhalgh.
She made her Street debut in Episode 9 on 6th January 1961, though the character was initially credited as "Dorothy Lane". She later appeared in the Street spin-off The Brothers McGregor.
Joan's other credits include Knight Errant Limited, Kipps, No Hiding Place, Z Cars, Floodtide and The First Lady. On film she appeared uncredited in Fahrenheit 451. Stage roles include Double Door and Artificial Silk. On radio she was heard in Mid-week Theatre.
The daughter of a repertory company director, she had close associations with many of the cast having previously worked with Patricia Phoenix, Arthur Leslie and Bernard Youens while Peter Adamson had been best man at her second wedding, to actor Geoffrey Reed.
In the late 1960s, Francis helped run the Navigation Hotel in Buxworth, Derbyshire which Pat Phoenix had just purchased. She also ran the Lion and Bell in Congleton, Cheshire in the early 1970s.