Patricia Brake, 79, passed away after appearing in the BBC comedy Porridge and the ITV drama Manhunt. Her family claims she was diagnosed with cancer years ago and fought it for a long time. Brake will be “truly missed” by her friends, family, colleagues, and fans, according to her agency, Scott Marshall Partners. Brake was diagnosed with an unknown type of cancer.
Her agent, Scott Marshall Partners, stated:
“It is with great regret that we announce the loss of our client and beloved stage and television actress, Patricia Brake, at the age of 79, after a lengthy struggle with cancer.”
During her six-decade career, she appeared in shows such as EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Coronation Street. However, in the 1970s, she was best known for her role in Porridge.
All About Patricia Brake
Patricia Brake was born in Bath in 1942 and began studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School when she was 16 years old. She rose to prominence in repertory theatre and, as a teenager, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Brake portrayed Ingrid Fletcher, Norman Stanley Fletcher’s daughter, in the 1970s BBC sitcom Porridge. She later reprised her role in the film Going Straight, alongside Richard Beckinsale and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Brake has collaborated with The Two Ronnies, Ronnie Corbett and Barker, and Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, among others. Other ITV appearances include Doctors, Holby City, and Casualty, as well as Manhunt, The Glums, and Midsomer Murders. Brake portrayed Ingrid Fletcher, Norman Stanley Fletcher’s daughter, in the 1970s BBC sitcom Porridge. She later reprised her role in the film Going Straight, alongside Richard Beckinsale and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Brake has collaborated with The Two Ronnies, Ronnie Corbett and Barker, and Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, among others. Other ITV appearances include Doctors, Holby City, and Casualty, as well as Manhunt, The Glums, and Midsomer Murders.
She rose to prominence as Viv Baldwin in the ITV soap opera Corrie. She was Danny Baldwin’s mother, and when her husband Harry died in 2005, she moved to Weatherfield. She then informed her brother-in-law Mike Baldwin that he, not Harry, was Danny’s biological father.
Brake was married twice, once to Robert McBain and once to Michael Kennedy; she is survived by her children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. Hannah, Jon, and Angus are Brake’s three children. On Sunday, her son, Jon McBain, announced her death on Twitter (May 29). She kept working until last year, when she played a rape victim in the ITV thriller Manhunt.
Social media has been flooded with tributes to the adored actress.
As one user put it, “I’m sorry to hear that.” Please accept my condolences as a fan of many of her shows.
I was very sad to hear that the actress Patricia Brake has passed away aged 79. pic.twitter.com/krg9wMLK8u
— Paul Burton (@paulburton73) May 28, 2022
Goodnight Patricia Brake. For millions always Eldorado’s troubled Gwen Lockhead or flighty Ingrid, Fletch’s daughter, in Porridge among others. A veteran of tv drama and comedy. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Vz29HwksjS
— Rob Cope (@Rob_Cope) May 28, 2022
