Frances Cuka

Frances Cuka (born 21 August 1936, London, England) is a British actor, principally on television. On stage she created the role of Jo in Shelagh Delaney's play A Taste of Honey in 1958. Subsequent television roles included Adam Adamant Lives, The Champions and Minder. She also appeared as Doll Tearsheet in the BBC adaptation of Henry IV, Part I. She had recurring roles in the soap operas Crossroads and Coronation Street. Film roles have included... more

Frances Cuka (born 21 August 1936, London, England) is a British actor, principally on television. On stage she created the role of Jo in Shelagh Delaney's play A Taste of Honey in 1958. Subsequent television roles included Adam Adamant Lives, The Champions and Minder. She also appeared as Doll Tearsheet in the BBC adaptation of Henry IV, Part I. She had recurring roles in the soap operas Crossroads and Coronation Street. Film roles have included Scrooge (as Bob Cratchit's wife) and Henry VIII and his Six Wives (as Catherine of Aragon). From 2006 to 2009, she played the recurring role of a troublesome tramp called Mrs Bassey in the popular medical drama Casualty. Her final appearance was in September 2009, when her character died from severe burns after being involved in an explosion at a shopping centre. less