Amanda Barrie, the British actress beloved for her comedic Cleopatra in the Carry On series and her decades-long stint on Coronation Street, continues to capture public interest. Questions about her age, her personal life, her financial standing, and her health circulate online. This article assembles verified facts from official sources and reputable biographies to provide a clear, evidence-based portrait of the actress in 2025.
Born Shirley Anne Broadbent in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, on 14 September 1935, Amanda Barrie built a career that spans stage, film, and television. She remains active, with a recent memoir and occasional public appearances. The following sections address the most common questions about her life and work.
Is Amanda Barrie Still Alive?
Yes, Amanda Barrie is alive as of 2025. Multiple authoritative sources, including her official website and BBC profiles, confirm she is living and well. Confusion sometimes arises because of inaccurate online information, but all reliable records place her age at 90 in 2025, with local news coverage in Scotland mentioning her as 91 in 2026 – consistent with her September birthday.
- At 90, Amanda Barrie remains a beloved figure due to iconic, campy film roles and a long-running soap presence.
- Her relationship with Hilary Bonner is a significant part of her legacy in LGBTQ+ representation.
- Her 2025 memoir serves as a primary source for her life story.
- Despite her age, she maintains an active presence on social media (X).
- No reliable evidence supports any serious public illness or death rumour.
- Her exact net worth is not publicly documented in verifiable sources.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Shirley Anne Broadbent |
| Born | 14 September 1935 |
| Nationality | English |
| Known For | Carry On Cleo, Coronation Street, Bad Girls |
| Notable Book | I’m Still Here, My 90 Years |
| Spouse | Hilary Bonner (married 2014) |
| First Marriage | Robin Hunter (1967 – died 2004) |
| Years Active | 1938–present (over 60 years) |
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC, Official Website.
Who Is Amanda Barrie’s Wife?
Amanda Barrie is married to Hilary Bonner, a former newspaper journalist and author. The couple wed on 12 September 2014, two days before Barrie’s 79th birthday. They had been long-term partners before the marriage.
Her Marriage to Hilary Bonner
Barrie’s second marriage followed the death of her first husband, actor Robin Hunter, in 2004. She and Bonner have been together since the early 2000s. Their relationship is often cited as a notable example of a same-sex marriage in the public eye, particularly given Barrie’s status as a classic British television icon.
While some sources refer to Hilary Bonner as Barrie’s “wife,” others use “partner.” The official website and Wikipedia confirm they are legally married, making “wife” accurate.
Source: Wikipedia, Official Website.
What Are Amanda Barrie’s Most Famous Roles?
Amanda Barrie is best known for three major screen roles that span comedy, soap opera, and drama. Her career also includes numerous guest appearances on British television.
Carry On Cleo (1964)
Barrie played the seductive Cleopatra in this parody of the epic film. Her performance is remembered for its camp humour and established her as a Carry On regular.
Alma in Coronation Street (1980s–2000s)
She portrayed Alma Sedgewick (later Alma Baldwin, then Alma Halliwell) for roughly two decades. The character became a beloved fixture on the cobbles, known for her warmth and resilience.
Bev Tull in Bad Girls (2003–2006)
Barrie took on the role of prison officer Bev Tull in the popular ITV drama. Her character added depth and complexity to the series.
Other notable television appearances include Doctors, Hell’s Kitchen, Are You Being Served?, and Benidorm. Source: BBC Sounds, Metro.
For her role in Carry On Cleo, Barrie learned to mimic Elizabeth Taylor’s distinctive voice and mannerisms, adding to the parody’s authenticity.
What Is Amanda Barrie’s Net Worth in 2025?
No reliable, publicly available figure exists for Amanda Barrie’s net worth. The research sources consulted – Wikipedia, BBC profiles, and her official site – do not include any verified estimate. Online figures vary widely and cannot be confirmed.
It is prudent to consider any net worth claims as speculative unless a reputable financial disclosure is made. Barrie’s long career in theatre, television, and film likely provided a comfortable income, but exact numbers remain private.
Some websites claim Barrie has a specific net worth, but these numbers are not sourced from her management, published accounts, or official statements. Treat them as unverified.
What Book Did Amanda Barrie Write?
In 2025, around her 90th birthday, Amanda Barrie published her memoir I’m Still Here: My 90 Years. The book contains personal reflections on her childhood, her rise in show business, her marriages, and her later years. According to Wikipedia, a second autobiography simply titled I’m Still Here was also released in September 2025.
The memoir offers readers an intimate look at her life, including behind-the-scenes stories from the Carry On set and her time on Coronation Street. It has been promoted through BBC interviews and her official channels. The book is available for purchase through major retailers.
What Are the Key Milestones in Amanda Barrie’s Life and Career?
- 1935: Born Shirley Anne Broadbent in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England. Source: corrie.net
- 1950s–1960s: Early stage and film career, including roles in the Carry On franchise. Source: Wikipedia.
- 1964: Played Cleopatra in Carry On Cleo, her most iconic film role.
- 1967: Married actor Robin Hunter (died 2004).
- 1980s–1990s: Played Alma in Coronation Street for roughly two decades.
- 2003–2006: Appeared as Bev Tull in Bad Girls.
- 2014: Married Hilary Bonner on 12 September.
- 2025: Published memoir I’m Still Here: My 90 Years.
What Is Known and Unknown About Amanda Barrie?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is alive as of 2025. | Exact net worth is not publicly verified. |
| Her age (90 in 2025, 91 in 2026). | No confirmed major illnesses; online rumours are unsubstantiated. |
| Her filmography: Carry On Cleo, Coronation Street, Bad Girls. | Details of any upcoming roles or projects beyond the memoir. |
| Her marriage to Hilary Bonner (2014). | Precise financial details or inheritance information. |
Why Do Amanda Barrie’s Roles and Relationship Matter?
The Carry On films represent a key era of British comedy, and Barrie’s participation links her to that cultural legacy. Her long-running role on Coronation Street cemented her as a household name across the UK. In Bad Girls, she tackled a more dramatic role, showing her range.
Her public same-sex marriage to Hilary Bonner also holds social significance. It represents a prominent example of an older British celebrity living openly with a same-sex partner, contributing to broader visibility for LGBTQ+ relationships beyond younger generations.
What Have Amanda Barrie and Others Said About Her Life?
In interviews promoting her memoir, Barrie has spoken about her career with fondness. The BBC recorded an extended conversation with her for its programmes. No direct quote is available from the research materials, but her official website states she describes her life as “extraordinary.” The memoir itself is her own account.
“I’m Still Here” – the title of her 2025 autobiography, reflecting her longevity and resilience.
from the book’s publication materials
What Is the Bottom Line on Amanda Barrie?
Amanda Barrie remains an active, cherished figure in British entertainment. She is alive, aged 90, and her legacy is built on iconic roles in Carry On Cleo, Coronation Street, and Bad Girls. Her marriage to Hilary Bonner adds a meaningful personal dimension. While net worth and health details are not conclusively documented, the available facts provide a clear, positive picture of an actress who has lived a full and public life. For more on soap legends, read our profile on Ken Barlow – Coronation Street Legend Still Active in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Amanda Barrie?
She was born on 14 September 1935, making her 90 years old as of 2025. In September 2026 she will turn 91.
Who is Amanda Barrie’s partner?
She is married to Hilary Bonner, a former journalist and author. They wed in September 2014.
What is Amanda Barrie’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure exists in public records. Any online number should be considered unconfirmed.
Did Amanda Barrie have any long-term illnesses?
No credible, publicly documented illness has been reported. A confusion with another person’s story led to false claims about cervical cancer; Barrie is alive and well.
What were Amanda Barrie’s early roles?
She began acting as a child in the 1930s and 1940s, later appearing in theatre and early television before her breakthrough in the Carry On films.
What was Amanda Barrie’s birth name?
Her birth name is Shirley Anne Broadbent. She adopted the stage name Amanda Barrie early in her career.
Was Amanda Barrie in Bad Girls?
Yes, she played prison officer Bev Tull from 2003 to 2006 in the ITV drama Bad Girls.
When did Amanda Barrie marry Hilary Bonner?
They married on 12 September 2014, two days before her 79th birthday.
What is Amanda Barrie’s official website?
Her official website is amandabarrie.co.uk, which contains her biography and contact information.
For more on other iconic actresses, read about Sadie Frost – Movies, Kids, and Her 90s Fame.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.