Sheila Mathews, who has died aged 99, was a West End musical performer who became an early star of ITV when it was launched in 1955. She went on to take straight acting roles and in 2017, at 90, was recognised by the actors’ union Equity as the country’s longest-running performer.
She was only three when she made her stage debut in her dance school’s troupe the Rosebuds at Alexandra Palace, London, in 1930. “I was pushed on in white satin pyjamas and sang Close Your Eyes,” she said.
