- First on stage in 1935 at the Theatre Royal, Grantham, in "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney". London debut at the Apollo Theatre in 1940 in the revue "New Faces". That same year, she made an impact for her impromptu rendition of the romantic wartime song "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", which was substituted for a missing Dorothy Parker monologue. Replaced Kay Hammond as Elvira in "Blithe Spirit" on stage at the Duchess and Piccadilly Theatres in 1941. Was a prolific and acclaimed interpretor of plays by Coward and Shaw, with many performances at the West End.
- Grandmother of photographer Kate Barry and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.
- Mother of actress Jane Birkin, director Andrew Birkin and Linda Mary Birkin. Formerly mother-in-law of composers John Barry and Serge Gainsbourg.
- Daughter of theatre proprietor and playwright J.A. Campbell (John Arthur Gamble) and his actress wife Mary Fulton.
- Educated at St. Michael's Convent, East Grinstead.
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