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Ronni Ancona

Veronica "Ronni" Jane Ancona (born 4 July 1966)[1][2] is a British actress, comedian, impressionist and writer best known for The Big Impression, which she co-wrote and starred in[3] and was, for four years, one of BBC One's top-rated comedy programmes,[4] winning numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003.[5] Ancona also starred in the first series of the BAFTA-winning ITV series The Sketch Show.[6][7] Ancona has appeared in the BAFTA-winning Last Tango in Halifax[8] since its creation in 2012.[9][10] She is a co-director, alongside Sally Phillips and Nick Hamson, of the production company Captain Dolly.[11][12]

Ronni Ancona
BornVeronica Jane Ancona
(1966-07-04) 4 July 1966 (age 57)
Louth, England
OccupationActress, impressionist
EducationUniversity of Kent
Saint Martin's School of Art (BA)
University College London (MA)
Spouse
Gerard Hall
(m. 2004)
Children2

Early life edit

Ancona was born in Louth, Lincolnshire,[1] but moved to Scotland when she was a few days old[10] and was brought up in Troon. She is of Italian Jewish descent.[13] Her father was a commander in the Royal Navy and her mother was an artist who painted the sets at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr and the Theatre Royal in Glasgow.[14] Ancona is the youngest of three children, with two older brothers.[10] In the BBC television programme Comedy Map of Britain she returned to her old school, Marr College in Troon, and talked about her earliest comedy performing experience as part of an improvisation group called Pots People.[15][16]

She attended the University of Kent at Canterbury to study film and then did a degree in theatre and TV design at Saint Martin's School of Art.[17] At the age of 19, while she was studying at St Martin's College, the BBC's Blue Peter reported on a play about Brecht at the Riverside Studios in which she was involved as a designer and performer: her appearance was later covered on the BBC show Before They Were Famous.[18] Ancona then attended the Institute of Education, University College London and qualified as a teacher in art, design & technology, and drama.[19] Whilst working as a teacher, Ancona started a comedy career on the live circuit. She won the Time Out Hackney Empire New Act of the Year in 1993.[19]

Television career edit

For many years, Ancona worked extensively in radio and on television shows such as Fist of Fun,[20] as well as performing stand-up comedy. She co-wrote and performed in shows such as Comedy Nation, Pulp Video, and The Sketch Show alongside Lee Mack.[21][7] In 2000, she teamed up with Alistair McGowan, with whom she had previously worked on The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand De Bargos and Standing Room Only,[22] to create The Big Impression.[3] The show was one of BBC One's top-rating comedy programmes for four years,[4] and won both a Variety Club Comedy Award and a BAFTA.[5][23] In 2003, she won "Best Actress" at the British Comedy Awards.[24] From 1996 to 2000, she also voiced Pennyghent on the CITV children's comedy series "Roger and the Rottentrolls", who was the smartest of the titular Rottentrolls.

In 2003, she starred in the BBC One historical drama The Key.[25]

In 2005, she played Barbara in Stephen Poliakoff's Gideon's Daughter on BBC One.[26]

She has appeared several times on the BBC celebrity panel show QI.[27][28][29][30] In November 2006, she was a guest presenter on Have I Got News For You.[31] She also appeared on the Channel 4 comedy show TV Heaven, Telly Hell discussing her preferences in television shows.

In 2007, her three-episode comedy sketch series Ronni Ancona & Co was broadcast on BBC One.[32]

She appeared as the mother of Katie and Emily Fitch in the third (2009) and fourth (2010) series of Skins.[33]

In 2009, she had a leading role in the BBC comedy drama Hope Springs.[34]

As part of the BBC's The Big Read, she promoted The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.[35]

In April 2010, she appeared on A Comedy Roast, celebrating Sharon Osbourne's life.[36] She appeared on the 2010 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special where she was paired with Anton Du Beke.[37]

Ancona also took part in Comic Relief's Desert Trek 2011 alongside Craig David, Olly Murs, Dermot O'Leary, Scott Mills and Lorraine Kelly.[38]

In 2012, she appeared in Last Tango in Halifax.[8]

In January 2015, she was a guest on Room 101.[39]

In 2016, she played the role of Mrs Fletcher, the manager of a local care home, in the seventh series of the Scottish comedy Still Game.[40] Later that year she made a guest appearance in an episode of the BBC television series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, partnering with antiques expert James Braxton.[41]

In April 2017, Ancona appeared as a guest on ITV's The Nightly Show, presented by Jason Manford, in which they each performed impersonations of famous people which the other had to identify.[42]

On 27 December 2020, Ancona appeared as a contestant on the Christmas special of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Celebrity Special.[43]

She won Pointless Celebrities in January 2021 with Jan Ravens.[44]

Film career edit

Ancona's first feature role was in 1999 when she appeared in The Debt Collector alongside Billy Connolly.[26]

In 2004, she played the role of Pat Connelly in The Calcium Kid.[45]

In the same year, she appeared in Stella Street: The Movie, playing numerous female celebrities including Madonna and Victoria Beckham.[46]

In 2005, Ancona played the role of Anita in Michael Winterbottom's A Cock and Bull Story.[47]

She had a cameo role in the 2006 fantasy romantic comedy Penelope.[48]

In 2013, Ancona was cast as Mrs Spencer in The Devil Went Down to Islington, a horror film following two hapless Londoners who sell their souls to Satan.[49]

She played Donna, Rob Brydon's agent, in the 2014 film The Trip to Italy.[50]

In 2018, she had a small role in the US comedy film Show Dogs[citation needed] and starred in Surviving Christmas with the Relatives.[51]

Theatre edit

Ancona's first Edinburgh Festival appearance was in 1992, during which she performed in two shows: The Inexplicable World of Lionel Nimrod with Stewart Lee and Richard Herring, and a stand-up show with Alistair McGowan.[citation needed]

Her first theatre role was in Miss Conceptions in 1996, a comedy play she co-wrote with Alan Francis, directed by Anthony Nielson.[citation needed]

In 2004, Ancona was cast in Singin' in the Rain, the first production with Adam Cooper. Ancona played the role of Lina Lamont, the silent-movie starlet, in the Sadler's Wells production.[52]

She then played the gold-digging temptress Belline in Richard Bean's 2005 production of Molière's The Hypochondriac, alongside Carey Mulligan and Henry Goodman.[18] The play received favourable reviews, with Michael Billington for The Guardian giving it four stars out of five and describing it as a "hilarious new version".[53]

Ancona returned to the Almeida to perform in Little Revolution, set during and after the 2011 London riots, alongside Lucian Msamati and Imogen Stubbs.[54]

In June 2015, Ancona was cast to play the role of Paula in the musical adaptation of Bend It Like Beckham at the West End's Phoenix Theatre. However, she had to pull out of the play for personal reasons before the premier.[55] Later that year she appeared alongside Justin Fletcher in The Tale of Mr Tumble during the Manchester International Festival.[56]

In 2019, she performed in the Edinburgh Fringe show Just Checking In, which she co-wrote with Kim Fuller and fellow cast member Lewis MacLeod.[57]

Written work edit

In 2009, A Matter of Life and Death: How to Wean a Man Off Football, by Ancona and Alistair McGowan, was published by Faber & Faber.[58]

Awards edit

Ancona co-wrote The Big Impression,[3] which won numerous awards including a BAFTA in 2003.[5] She was nominated for Best Comedy Newcomer in 2000[59] and Best Comedy actress in 2002,[60] as well as winning The Best TV comedy Actress in 2003.[24] Ancona and McGowan also received The Variety Club Comedy Award in 2002.[23]

Nominee - Best Comedy Newcomer - Big Impression - 2000[59]

Winner - Broadcast Award - 2001[citation needed]

Nominee – Best Comedy Actress - 2002 - Big Impression[60]

Winner - Variety Club Comedy Award - 2002[23]

Winner - New TV Talent of the Year - Television and Radio Industries Club - 2002[61]

Winner - Comedy Actress - Maxim Women of the Year Awards – 2002[citation needed]

Winner - Best TV Comedy Actress - Big Impression - 2003[24]

Winner - Funny Woman of the Year - Glamour Women of the Year Awards - 2004[citation needed]

Winner - BAFTA – The Sketch Show[6]

Winner - BAFTA – The Big Impression[5]

Personal life edit

Ancona had a seven-year relationship with Alistair McGowan which ended shortly before they started working together professionally.[citation needed] Ancona is married to Gerard Hall,[62] a consultant rheumatologist[63] with whom she has two daughters. They live in West London.[64]

Ancona is an ambassador to the Environmental Investigation Agency,[65] Marie Curie[66] and Sightsavers.[67]

Filmography edit

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie Consumer Watch presenter / Tomorrow's World presenter Series 2, Episode 3
The Imaginatively Titled Punt and Dennis Show Series 1, Episodes 4–6
1995 What's Up Doc? Leticia Geek Series 3, Episode 25
The Geeks Series 1, Episode 1: "The Money, Money, Money" & Episode 6: "Our House"
Scratchy and Co. Various CITV series
Pulp Video Various characters BBC Two series
The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand de Bargos Various (voice) Series 5, Episodes 1–6
1995–1996 Fist of Fun Sarah / Tina Hartiman / Various Series 1, Episodes 3 & 4; Series 2, Episodes 1, 3 & 4
1996 Win, Lose or Draw! Herself - Contestant Series 7, Episodes 21–25
1997 Klinik! Various characters (voice) Channel 4 series
1997–2000 Roger and the Rottentrolls Rottentroll Voices (voice) Series 2–4, 26 episodes
1998 Comedy Nation Various roles BBC Two series
1999 Mark Lamarr Leaving the 20th Century Series 1, Episode 2
The Waiting Time RMP Colonel Television film
1999–2003 The Big Impression Various characters Series 1–4 & Christmas Specials, 30 episodes
2000 Holby City Anna Griffiths Series 3, Episode 7: "The Trouble with the Truth"
2001 Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible Countess Kronsteen Series 1, Episode 1: "Lesbian Vampire Lovers of Lust"
Combat Sheep Peaches (voice) Television film
The Sketch Show Various characters Series 1, Episodes 1–8
2002 Sport Relief Herself / Victoria Beckham Television Special
2003 Comic Relief 2003: The Big Hair Do Various characters Television Special
The Key Maggie Series 1, Episodes 1–3
2004 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Herself - Contestant Series 16, Episodes 14/15: "Celebrity Special"
2005 Monkey Trousers Various characters Series 1, Episodes 1–5
Gideon's Daughter Barbara Television film
Comic Relief: Red Nose Night Live '05 Catherine Zeta-Jones / Courtney Cox Arquette / Renée Zellweger Television Special
2006 Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive Herself Series 1, Episode 4
Have I Got News For You Herself - Guest Presenter Series 32, Episode 6
The Secret Policeman's Ball: The Ball in the Hall Herself Television film
2006–2017 QI Herself - Panellist Series 4, 6–9, 12 & 14, 7 episodes
2007 Hotel Babylon Theresa Evan Series 2, Episode 1
Agatha Christie's Marple Amanda Dalrymple Series 3, Episode 4: "Nemesis"
Comic Relief 2007: The Big One Various characters Television Special
Ronni Ancona & Co. Various roles Series 1, Episodes 1–3
2008 Comedy Classics Narrator (voice) Series 1, Episodes 1–6
2009 Hope Springs Ann Marie Cairncross Series 1, Episodes 1–8
CBeebies Bedtime Stories Herself - Storyteller Series 1, Episodes 72–76
Would I Lie to You? Herself - Panellist Series 3, Episode 7
2009–2010 Skins Jenna Fitch Series 3, Episode 9; Series 4, Episodes 2 & 4
2010 Strictly Come Dancing Herself - Contestant Series 8, Episode 27: "Christmas Special"
2011 Midsomer Murders Kitty Pottinger Series 13, Episode 8: "Fit for Murder"
The Comic Strip Presents... Barbara Windsor Series 9, Episode 1: "The Hunt for Tony Blair"
Pet Squad Various (voices) Series 1, 52 episodes
Shooting Stars Herself - Panellist Series 8, Episode 5
2012 Little Crackers Ex-Wife Series 3, Episode 3: "Tommy Tiernan's Little Cracker: Howler"
2012–2020 Last Tango in Halifax Judith Series 1, 2, 4 & 5, 15 episodes
2014 The Trip Donna Series 2, Episodes 2–6
Pointless Celebrities Herself - Contestant Series 6, Episode 12: "Comedy Performers" & Episode 30: "Comedians"
Portrait Artist of the Year Herself - Sitter Series 2, Episode 2: "Julian Fellowes, Ronni Ancona, and Helen Kennedy"
2015 Father Brown Madame Chania Series 3, Episode 8: "The Lair of the Libertines"
CBeebies Presents: The Tale of Mr. Tumble Miss Eerie Television film
Citizen Khan Sandra Series 4 Episode 4: "Chicken Shop"
Room 101 Herself - Guest Series 15, Episode 1: "Tim Vine, Len Goodman, Ronni Ancona"
2016 Stella Selina Child Series 5, Episode 10
Doctors Alicia Largo Series 18, Episode 10: "In Questa Reggia"
Still Game Mrs. Fletcher Series 7, Episode 6: "Down and Out"
Pointless Celebrities Herself - Contestant Series 10, Episode 6: "Impressionists"
2017 Where in the World Narrator (voice) CBeebies documentary series. Series 1, Episodes 1–20
2018 The Week That Wasn't Sky One series
Tourist Trap Marie Series 1, Episode 5
2020 Celebrity Chase Herself - Contestant Series 10, Episode 5
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Series 35, Episodes 7: "Christmas Special"
Pointless Celebrities Series 13, Episode 24: "Impressionists"
2021 Richard Osman's House of Games Series 4, Episodes 86–90
2022 The Hit List Series 5, Episode 10: "Christmas Special"
Portrait Artist of the Year Series 10, Episode: "Celebrity Special"
Friday Night Live Olivia Colman Television Special
2024 Death in Paradise Lexi 'Alexandria' Reece Series 13, Episode 6

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Debt Collector Miss Dryden Channel 4 Films
2003 The Early Days Leela Short film
2004 Stella Street: The Movie Various roles Absolutely Productions
The Calcium Kid Pat Connelly Calcium Films Ltd.
2005 A Cock and Bull Story Anita Dir.: Michael Winterbottom
2006 Penelope Wanda Dir.: Mark Polansky
2010 Huge Herself Dir.: Ben Miller
2014 The Trip to Italy Donna BBC Films
2015 The Marriage of Reason & Squalor Hen 3 Dir.: Jake Chapman
2016 The Prince of Denmark Gertrude Short film
2018 Show Dogs Poopsie Chow's Owner Open Road Films
Stuffed Gwen Short film
Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Vicky Studio Soho Films
2023 The Devil Went Down to Islington Mrs. Spencer Skinned Productions

Radio edit

Title Channel
Life, Death & Sex with Mike & Sue Radio 4
The Alan Davies Show Radio 4
Weekending Radio 4
The Museum of Curiosity Radio 4
Mum's on the Run Radio 4
Shed Town Radio 4
The Game's Up Radio 5
Loose Ends Radio 4
Wild Things Radio 4
Hal Radio 4
And This is Them Radio 2
Griff Rhys Jones Show Radio 4
Gaby's Talking Pictures Radio 4

Theatre edit

Year Title Role Venue
1996 Miss Conceptions Edinburgh Festival
2004 Singin' in the Rain Lina Lamont Sadler's Wells Theatre, London
2005 The Hypochondriac Belline Almeida Theatre, London[18]
2014 Little Revolution Jane / various Almeida Theatre
2015 The Tale of Mr Tumble Unsmiling Principle Manchester Opera House[56]
2016 Carry On Chilcot Duke of Wales Theatre, London
2019 Just Checking In Edinburgh Fringe

Writer edit

Producer edit

Title
Posh & Beck's Big Impression: Behind the Scenes & Extra Bits

References edit

  1. ^ a b England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007
  2. ^ "Veronica Jane ANCONA - Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Ronni Ancona". BBC Comedy. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Alistair McGowan tinkles the ivories". BBC Arts. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "Television - Comedy - Programme or Series in 2003". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Television - Comedy - Programme or Series in 2002". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. ^ a b "The Sketch Show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Television - Drama Series in 2013". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Swarbrick, Susan (22 February 2020). "Ronni Ancona on the return of Last Tango in Halifax". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  11. ^ Howell, Madeleine (18 July 2020). "Sally Phillips: 'It's far from a worst-case scenario to have a child with Down's syndrome'". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 29 July 2021.(subscription required)
  12. ^ "Captain Dolly Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  13. ^ Ellen, Barbara (19 December 2004). "'They don't think I'm the thinking man's crumpet'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Interview: A fresh wave of success beckons for Ronni Ancona". The Scotsman. 29 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Episode 6 Belfast to Glasgow". The Comedy Map of Britain. bbc.co.uk.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Taylor, Marianne (17 February 2019). "Scotland's Insider Guide: Troon". The Herald, Scotland.
  17. ^ Dafydd, Gwenno (1 August 2016). Stand Up and Sock It To them Sister. Parthian Books. ISBN 978-1-910901-86-1.
  18. ^ a b c Rees, Jasper (16 November 2005). "Don't get the wrong impression about her". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 February 2021.(subscription required)
  19. ^ a b Duerden, Nick (19 November 2005). "Ronni Ancona: Sometimes appearances can be deceptive". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Fist of Fun". BBC. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  21. ^ Palmer, Mary (3 August 2016). "Ronni Ancona and Kevin Whately are Still Game for laughs". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  22. ^ Usborne, Simon (20 October 2011). "How We Met: Ronni Ancona & Alistair McGowan". The Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  23. ^ a b c "Stars honoured at Variety Club Annual Showbusiness Awards 2002". BBC Press Office. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "PAST WINNERS 2003". British Comedy Awards. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  25. ^ Gallagher, William (3 January 2003). "Switching on in 2003". BBC News. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Gideon's Daughter". BBC Press Office. 5 January 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  27. ^ "QI Series D, Episode 4 - Dictionaries". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Series F - Families". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  29. ^ "QI Series G, Episode 7 - Girls And Boys". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  30. ^ "QI Series N, Episode 13 - Naval Navigation". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Have I Got News For You Series 32, Episode 6". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Ronni Ancona & Co – brand new sketch show coming to BBC One". BBC Press Office. 29 May 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  33. ^ French, Dan (2 November 2010). "'Skins' insider reveals next episode". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  34. ^ "Hope Springs: Ronni Ancona & Sian Reeves all set for Scots drama". BBC Press Office. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  35. ^ "The Big Read". BBC. 25 October 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  36. ^ "A Comedy Roast Series 1, Episode 2 - Sharon Osbourne". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  37. ^ "Strictly Christmas Special line-up unveiled!". BBC Blogs. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  38. ^ "Dermot O'Leary leads Comic Relief desert trek". BBC News. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Room 101 Series 4, Episode 1 - Len Goodman, Ronni Ancona, Tim Vine". BBC Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Still Game Series 7 episode guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  41. ^ "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip - series 6, episode 10". BBC iPlayer. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  42. ^ "The Nightly Show Series 1, Episode 34". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Celebrity Special Episode 2". ITV Press Centre. Retrieved 16 December 2020.[dead link]
  44. ^ "Pointless Celebrities - Series 13, Impressionists". BBC iPlayer. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  45. ^ "The Calcium Kid". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  46. ^ Parkinson, David. "Stella Street review". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  47. ^ "A Cock and Bull Story". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  48. ^ "Penelope". Time Out. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  49. ^ "The Devil Went Down to Islington (2019)". IMDb. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  50. ^ Davis, Steve (29 August 2014). "The Trip to Italy review". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  51. ^ "Surviving Christmas with the Relatives". Studio Soho. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  52. ^ "Singin' in the Rain". BBC News. 22 July 2004. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  53. ^ Billingdon, Michael (18 November 2005). "The Hypochondriac". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  54. ^ "Little Revolution". Almeida Theatre. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  55. ^ Bannister, Rosie (13 April 2015). "Sophie-Louise Dann replaces Ronni Ancona in Bend It Like Beckham". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  56. ^ a b Hickling, Alfred (13 July 2015). "The Tale of Mr Tumble review – a nose-honking good time". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  57. ^ Bennett, Steve (19 August 2019). "Ronni Ancona and Lewis MacLeod: Just Checking In". Chortle. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  58. ^ Ancona, Ronni; McGowan, Alistair (1 October 2009). A Matter of Life and Death: How to Wean a Man Off Football. Faber & Faber. ISBN 978-0571250547.
  59. ^ a b "Welsh actor wins comedy award". BBC News. 17 December 2000. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  60. ^ a b "In brief: Office duo fight for prize". BBC News. 19 November 2002. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  61. ^ Deans, Jason (12 March 2002). "Ant and Dec are triple winners at TV awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  62. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916–2005
  63. ^ Spencer, Ben (8 April 2011). "Ronni Ancona: How my heart still aches over stillborn Seth". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  64. ^ Usborne, Simon (20 October 2011). "How We Met: Ronni Ancona & Alistair McGowan". The Independent. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  65. ^ "Radio 4 Appeal". BBC Radio 4. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  66. ^ "Cookalong TV launches with a mission to support charities in need". Charity Today. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  67. ^ "Our celebrity supporters". Sightsavers. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

External links edit

  • "Ronni Ancona". Comedy guide. BBC.
  • Ronni Ancona at IMDb
  • Ronni Ancona on Twitter  

ronni, ancona, veronica, ronni, jane, ancona, born, july, 1966, british, actress, comedian, impressionist, writer, best, known, impression, which, wrote, starred, four, years, rated, comedy, programmes, winning, numerous, awards, including, bafta, 2003, ancona. Veronica Ronni Jane Ancona born 4 July 1966 1 2 is a British actress comedian impressionist and writer best known for The Big Impression which she co wrote and starred in 3 and was for four years one of BBC One s top rated comedy programmes 4 winning numerous awards including a BAFTA in 2003 5 Ancona also starred in the first series of the BAFTA winning ITV series The Sketch Show 6 7 Ancona has appeared in the BAFTA winning Last Tango in Halifax 8 since its creation in 2012 9 10 She is a co director alongside Sally Phillips and Nick Hamson of the production company Captain Dolly 11 12 Ronni AnconaBornVeronica Jane Ancona 1966 07 04 4 July 1966 age 57 Louth EnglandOccupationActress impressionistEducationUniversity of KentSaint Martin s School of Art BA University College London MA SpouseGerard Hall m 2004 wbr Children2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Television career 3 Film career 4 Theatre 5 Written work 6 Awards 7 Personal life 8 Filmography 8 1 Television 8 2 Film 8 3 Radio 8 4 Theatre 9 Writer 10 Producer 11 References 12 External linksEarly life editAncona was born in Louth Lincolnshire 1 but moved to Scotland when she was a few days old 10 and was brought up in Troon She is of Italian Jewish descent 13 Her father was a commander in the Royal Navy and her mother was an artist who painted the sets at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr and the Theatre Royal in Glasgow 14 Ancona is the youngest of three children with two older brothers 10 In the BBC television programme Comedy Map of Britain she returned to her old school Marr College in Troon and talked about her earliest comedy performing experience as part of an improvisation group called Pots People 15 16 She attended the University of Kent at Canterbury to study film and then did a degree in theatre and TV design at Saint Martin s School of Art 17 At the age of 19 while she was studying at St Martin s College the BBC s Blue Peter reported on a play about Brecht at the Riverside Studios in which she was involved as a designer and performer her appearance was later covered on the BBC show Before They Were Famous 18 Ancona then attended the Institute of Education University College London and qualified as a teacher in art design amp technology and drama 19 Whilst working as a teacher Ancona started a comedy career on the live circuit She won the Time Out Hackney Empire New Act of the Year in 1993 19 Television career editFor many years Ancona worked extensively in radio and on television shows such as Fist of Fun 20 as well as performing stand up comedy She co wrote and performed in shows such as Comedy Nation Pulp Video and The Sketch Show alongside Lee Mack 21 7 In 2000 she teamed up with Alistair McGowan with whom she had previously worked on The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand De Bargos and Standing Room Only 22 to create The Big Impression 3 The show was one of BBC One s top rating comedy programmes for four years 4 and won both a Variety Club Comedy Award and a BAFTA 5 23 In 2003 she won Best Actress at the British Comedy Awards 24 From 1996 to 2000 she also voiced Pennyghent on the CITV children s comedy series Roger and the Rottentrolls who was the smartest of the titular Rottentrolls In 2003 she starred in the BBC One historical drama The Key 25 In 2005 she played Barbara in Stephen Poliakoff s Gideon s Daughter on BBC One 26 She has appeared several times on the BBC celebrity panel show QI 27 28 29 30 In November 2006 she was a guest presenter on Have I Got News For You 31 She also appeared on the Channel 4 comedy show TV Heaven Telly Hell discussing her preferences in television shows In 2007 her three episode comedy sketch series Ronni Ancona amp Co was broadcast on BBC One 32 She appeared as the mother of Katie and Emily Fitch in the third 2009 and fourth 2010 series of Skins 33 In 2009 she had a leading role in the BBC comedy drama Hope Springs 34 As part of the BBC s The Big Read she promoted The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe 35 In April 2010 she appeared on A Comedy Roast celebrating Sharon Osbourne s life 36 She appeared on the 2010 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special where she was paired with Anton Du Beke 37 Ancona also took part in Comic Relief s Desert Trek 2011 alongside Craig David Olly Murs Dermot O Leary Scott Mills and Lorraine Kelly 38 In 2012 she appeared in Last Tango in Halifax 8 In January 2015 she was a guest on Room 101 39 In 2016 she played the role of Mrs Fletcher the manager of a local care home in the seventh series of the Scottish comedy Still Game 40 Later that year she made a guest appearance in an episode of the BBC television series Celebrity Antiques Road Trip partnering with antiques expert James Braxton 41 In April 2017 Ancona appeared as a guest on ITV s The Nightly Show presented by Jason Manford in which they each performed impersonations of famous people which the other had to identify 42 On 27 December 2020 Ancona appeared as a contestant on the Christmas special of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Celebrity Special 43 She won Pointless Celebrities in January 2021 with Jan Ravens 44 Film career editAncona s first feature role was in 1999 when she appeared in The Debt Collector alongside Billy Connolly 26 In 2004 she played the role of Pat Connelly in The Calcium Kid 45 In the same year she appeared in Stella Street The Movie playing numerous female celebrities including Madonna and Victoria Beckham 46 In 2005 Ancona played the role of Anita in Michael Winterbottom s A Cock and Bull Story 47 She had a cameo role in the 2006 fantasy romantic comedy Penelope 48 In 2013 Ancona was cast as Mrs Spencer in The Devil Went Down to Islington a horror film following two hapless Londoners who sell their souls to Satan 49 She played Donna Rob Brydon s agent in the 2014 film The Trip to Italy 50 In 2018 she had a small role in the US comedy film Show Dogs citation needed and starred in Surviving Christmas with the Relatives 51 Theatre editAncona s first Edinburgh Festival appearance was in 1992 during which she performed in two shows The Inexplicable World of Lionel Nimrod with Stewart Lee and Richard Herring and a stand up show with Alistair McGowan citation needed Her first theatre role was in Miss Conceptions in 1996 a comedy play she co wrote with Alan Francis directed by Anthony Nielson citation needed In 2004 Ancona was cast in Singin in the Rain the first production with Adam Cooper Ancona played the role of Lina Lamont the silent movie starlet in the Sadler s Wells production 52 She then played the gold digging temptress Belline in Richard Bean s 2005 production of Moliere s The Hypochondriac alongside Carey Mulligan and Henry Goodman 18 The play received favourable reviews with Michael Billington for The Guardian giving it four stars out of five and describing it as a hilarious new version 53 Ancona returned to the Almeida to perform in Little Revolution set during and after the 2011 London riots alongside Lucian Msamati and Imogen Stubbs 54 In June 2015 Ancona was cast to play the role of Paula in the musical adaptation of Bend It Like Beckham at the West End s Phoenix Theatre However she had to pull out of the play for personal reasons before the premier 55 Later that year she appeared alongside Justin Fletcher in The Tale of Mr Tumble during the Manchester International Festival 56 In 2019 she performed in the Edinburgh Fringe show Just Checking In which she co wrote with Kim Fuller and fellow cast member Lewis MacLeod 57 Written work editIn 2009 A Matter of Life and Death How to Wean a Man Off Football by Ancona and Alistair McGowan was published by Faber amp Faber 58 Awards editAncona co wrote The Big Impression 3 which won numerous awards including a BAFTA in 2003 5 She was nominated for Best Comedy Newcomer in 2000 59 and Best Comedy actress in 2002 60 as well as winning The Best TV comedy Actress in 2003 24 Ancona and McGowan also received The Variety Club Comedy Award in 2002 23 Nominee Best Comedy Newcomer Big Impression 2000 59 Winner Broadcast Award 2001 citation needed Nominee Best Comedy Actress 2002 Big Impression 60 Winner Variety Club Comedy Award 2002 23 Winner New TV Talent of the Year Television and Radio Industries Club 2002 61 Winner Comedy Actress Maxim Women of the Year Awards 2002 citation needed Winner Best TV Comedy Actress Big Impression 2003 24 Winner Funny Woman of the Year Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2004 citation needed Winner BAFTA The Sketch Show 6 Winner BAFTA The Big Impression 5 Personal life editAncona had a seven year relationship with Alistair McGowan which ended shortly before they started working together professionally citation needed Ancona is married to Gerard Hall 62 a consultant rheumatologist 63 with whom she has two daughters They live in West London 64 Ancona is an ambassador to the Environmental Investigation Agency 65 Marie Curie 66 and Sightsavers 67 Filmography editThis section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page especially if potentially libelous Find sources Ronni Ancona news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message Television edit Year Title Role Notes 1994 Ben Elton The Man from Auntie Consumer Watch presenter Tomorrow s World presenter Series 2 Episode 3 The Imaginatively Titled Punt and Dennis Show Series 1 Episodes 4 6 1995 What s Up Doc Leticia Geek Series 3 Episode 25 The Geeks Series 1 Episode 1 The Money Money Money amp Episode 6 Our House Scratchy and Co Various CITV series Pulp Video Various characters BBC Two series The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand de Bargos Various voice Series 5 Episodes 1 6 1995 1996 Fist of Fun Sarah Tina Hartiman Various Series 1 Episodes 3 amp 4 Series 2 Episodes 1 3 amp 4 1996 Win Lose or Draw Herself Contestant Series 7 Episodes 21 25 1997 Klinik Various characters voice Channel 4 series 1997 2000 Roger and the Rottentrolls Rottentroll Voices voice Series 2 4 26 episodes 1998 Comedy Nation Various roles BBC Two series 1999 Mark Lamarr Leaving the 20th Century Series 1 Episode 2 The Waiting Time RMP Colonel Television film 1999 2003 The Big Impression Various characters Series 1 4 amp Christmas Specials 30 episodes 2000 Holby City Anna Griffiths Series 3 Episode 7 The Trouble with the Truth 2001 Dr Terrible s House of Horrible Countess Kronsteen Series 1 Episode 1 Lesbian Vampire Lovers of Lust Combat Sheep Peaches voice Television film The Sketch Show Various characters Series 1 Episodes 1 8 2002 Sport Relief Herself Victoria Beckham Television Special 2003 Comic Relief 2003 The Big Hair Do Various characters Television Special The Key Maggie Series 1 Episodes 1 3 2004 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself Contestant Series 16 Episodes 14 15 Celebrity Special 2005 Monkey Trousers Various characters Series 1 Episodes 1 5 Gideon s Daughter Barbara Television film Comic Relief Red Nose Night Live 05 Catherine Zeta Jones Courtney Cox Arquette Renee Zellweger Television Special 2006 Rob Brydon s Annually Retentive Herself Series 1 Episode 4 Have I Got News For You Herself Guest Presenter Series 32 Episode 6 The Secret Policeman s Ball The Ball in the Hall Herself Television film 2006 2017 QI Herself Panellist Series 4 6 9 12 amp 14 7 episodes 2007 Hotel Babylon Theresa Evan Series 2 Episode 1 Agatha Christie s Marple Amanda Dalrymple Series 3 Episode 4 Nemesis Comic Relief 2007 The Big One Various characters Television Special Ronni Ancona amp Co Various roles Series 1 Episodes 1 3 2008 Comedy Classics Narrator voice Series 1 Episodes 1 6 2009 Hope Springs Ann Marie Cairncross Series 1 Episodes 1 8 CBeebies Bedtime Stories Herself Storyteller Series 1 Episodes 72 76 Would I Lie to You Herself Panellist Series 3 Episode 7 2009 2010 Skins Jenna Fitch Series 3 Episode 9 Series 4 Episodes 2 amp 4 2010 Strictly Come Dancing Herself Contestant Series 8 Episode 27 Christmas Special 2011 Midsomer Murders Kitty Pottinger Series 13 Episode 8 Fit for Murder The Comic Strip Presents Barbara Windsor Series 9 Episode 1 The Hunt for Tony Blair Pet Squad Various voices Series 1 52 episodes Shooting Stars Herself Panellist Series 8 Episode 5 2012 Little Crackers Ex Wife Series 3 Episode 3 Tommy Tiernan s Little Cracker Howler 2012 2020 Last Tango in Halifax Judith Series 1 2 4 amp 5 15 episodes 2014 The Trip Donna Series 2 Episodes 2 6 Pointless Celebrities Herself Contestant Series 6 Episode 12 Comedy Performers amp Episode 30 Comedians Portrait Artist of the Year Herself Sitter Series 2 Episode 2 Julian Fellowes Ronni Ancona and Helen Kennedy 2015 Father Brown Madame Chania Series 3 Episode 8 The Lair of the Libertines CBeebies Presents The Tale of Mr Tumble Miss Eerie Television film Citizen Khan Sandra Series 4 Episode 4 Chicken Shop Room 101 Herself Guest Series 15 Episode 1 Tim Vine Len Goodman Ronni Ancona 2016 Stella Selina Child Series 5 Episode 10 Doctors Alicia Largo Series 18 Episode 10 In Questa Reggia Still Game Mrs Fletcher Series 7 Episode 6 Down and Out Pointless Celebrities Herself Contestant Series 10 Episode 6 Impressionists 2017 Where in the World Narrator voice CBeebies documentary series Series 1 Episodes 1 20 2018 The Week That Wasn t Sky One series Tourist Trap Marie Series 1 Episode 5 2020 Celebrity Chase Herself Contestant Series 10 Episode 5 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Series 35 Episodes 7 Christmas Special Pointless Celebrities Series 13 Episode 24 Impressionists 2021 Richard Osman s House of Games Series 4 Episodes 86 90 2022 The Hit List Series 5 Episode 10 Christmas Special Portrait Artist of the Year Series 10 Episode Celebrity Special Friday Night Live Olivia Colman Television Special 2024 Death in Paradise Lexi Alexandria Reece Series 13 Episode 6 Film edit Year Title Role Notes 1999 The Debt Collector Miss Dryden Channel 4 Films 2003 The Early Days Leela Short film 2004 Stella Street The Movie Various roles Absolutely Productions The Calcium Kid Pat Connelly Calcium Films Ltd 2005 A Cock and Bull Story Anita Dir Michael Winterbottom 2006 Penelope Wanda Dir Mark Polansky 2010 Huge Herself Dir Ben Miller 2014 The Trip to Italy Donna BBC Films 2015 The Marriage of Reason amp Squalor Hen 3 Dir Jake Chapman 2016 The Prince of Denmark Gertrude Short film 2018 Show Dogs Poopsie Chow s Owner Open Road Films Stuffed Gwen Short film Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Vicky Studio Soho Films 2023 The Devil Went Down to Islington Mrs Spencer Skinned Productions Radio edit Title Channel Life Death amp Sex with Mike amp Sue Radio 4 The Alan Davies Show Radio 4 Weekending Radio 4 The Museum of Curiosity Radio 4 Mum s on the Run Radio 4 Shed Town Radio 4 The Game s Up Radio 5 Loose Ends Radio 4 Wild Things Radio 4 Hal Radio 4 And This is Them Radio 2 Griff Rhys Jones Show Radio 4 Gaby s Talking Pictures Radio 4 Theatre edit Year Title Role Venue 1996 Miss Conceptions Edinburgh Festival 2004 Singin in the Rain Lina Lamont Sadler s Wells Theatre London 2005 The Hypochondriac Belline Almeida Theatre London 18 2014 Little Revolution Jane various Almeida Theatre 2015 The Tale of Mr Tumble Unsmiling Principle Manchester Opera House 56 2016 Carry On Chilcot Duke of Wales Theatre London 2019 Just Checking In Edinburgh FringeWriter editTitle The Week That Wasn t Ronni Ancona amp Co Kelsey Grammer Presents The Sketch Show The Sketch Show The Big Impression Pulp Video Comedy Nation Monkey Trousers Standing Room Only Miss Conceptions Just Checking InProducer editTitle Posh amp Beck s Big Impression Behind the Scenes amp Extra BitsReferences edit a b England amp Wales Civil Registration Birth Index 1916 2007 Veronica Jane ANCONA Personal Appointments Companies House Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b c Ronni Ancona BBC Comedy Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b Alistair McGowan tinkles the ivories BBC Arts Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b c d Television Comedy Programme or Series in 2003 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b Television Comedy Programme or Series in 2002 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b The Sketch Show British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b Television Drama Series in 2013 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Retrieved 29 July 2021 Last Tango in Halifax BBC Media Centre Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b c Swarbrick Susan 22 February 2020 Ronni Ancona on the return of Last Tango in Halifax The Herald Glasgow Retrieved 29 July 2021 Howell Madeleine 18 July 2020 Sally Phillips It s far from a worst case scenario to have a child with Down s syndrome The Daily Telegraph ISSN 0307 1235 Retrieved 29 July 2021 subscription required Captain Dolly Limited Companies House Retrieved 29 July 2021 Ellen Barbara 19 December 2004 They don t think I m the thinking man s crumpet The Guardian London Retrieved 5 April 2016 Interview A fresh wave of success beckons for Ronni Ancona The Scotsman 29 May 2009 Episode 6 Belfast to Glasgow The Comedy Map of Britain bbc co uk permanent dead link Taylor Marianne 17 February 2019 Scotland s Insider Guide Troon The Herald Scotland Dafydd Gwenno 1 August 2016 Stand Up and Sock It To them Sister Parthian Books ISBN 978 1 910901 86 1 a b c Rees Jasper 16 November 2005 Don t get the wrong impression about her The Daily Telegraph Retrieved 25 February 2021 subscription required a b Duerden Nick 19 November 2005 Ronni Ancona Sometimes appearances can be deceptive The Independent Retrieved 29 July 2021 Fist of Fun BBC Retrieved 29 July 2021 Palmer Mary 3 August 2016 Ronni Ancona and Kevin Whately are Still Game for laughs Daily Record Glasgow Retrieved 29 July 2021 Usborne Simon 20 October 2011 How We Met Ronni Ancona amp Alistair McGowan The Independent Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b c Stars honoured at Variety Club Annual Showbusiness Awards 2002 BBC Press Office 2 February 2002 Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b c PAST WINNERS 2003 British Comedy Awards Retrieved 29 July 2021 Gallagher William 3 January 2003 Switching on in 2003 BBC News Retrieved 29 July 2021 a b Gideon s Daughter BBC Press Office 5 January 2006 Retrieved 29 July 2021 QI Series D Episode 4 Dictionaries British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Series F Families British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 QI Series G Episode 7 Girls And Boys British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 QI Series N Episode 13 Naval Navigation British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Have I Got News For You Series 32 Episode 6 British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Ronni Ancona amp Co brand new sketch show coming to BBC One BBC Press Office 29 May 2007 Retrieved 29 July 2021 French Dan 2 November 2010 Skins insider reveals next episode Digital Spy Retrieved 29 July 2021 Hope Springs Ronni Ancona amp Sian Reeves all set for Scots drama BBC Press Office 16 July 2008 Retrieved 29 July 2021 The Big Read BBC 25 October 2003 Retrieved 29 July 2021 A Comedy Roast Series 1 Episode 2 Sharon Osbourne British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Strictly Christmas Special line up unveiled BBC Blogs 17 November 2010 Retrieved 29 July 2021 Dermot O Leary leads Comic Relief desert trek BBC News 7 February 2011 Retrieved 29 July 2021 Room 101 Series 4 Episode 1 Len Goodman Ronni Ancona Tim Vine BBC Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Still Game Series 7 episode guide British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip series 6 episode 10 BBC iPlayer Retrieved 29 July 2021 The Nightly Show Series 1 Episode 34 British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Celebrity Special Episode 2 ITV Press Centre Retrieved 16 December 2020 dead link Pointless Celebrities Series 13 Impressionists BBC iPlayer 16 January 2021 Retrieved 29 July 2021 The Calcium Kid British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Parkinson David Stella Street review Radio Times Retrieved 29 July 2021 A Cock and Bull Story British Comedy Guide Retrieved 29 July 2021 Penelope Time Out 29 January 2008 Retrieved 29 July 2021 The Devil Went Down to Islington 2019 IMDb Retrieved 29 July 2021 Davis Steve 29 August 2014 The Trip to Italy review The Austin Chronicle Retrieved 29 July 2021 Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Studio Soho 16 July 2020 Retrieved 29 July 2021 Singin in the Rain BBC News 22 July 2004 Retrieved 30 July 2021 Billingdon Michael 18 November 2005 The Hypochondriac The Guardian Retrieved 30 July 2021 Little Revolution Almeida Theatre Retrieved 30 July 2021 Bannister Rosie 13 April 2015 Sophie Louise Dann replaces Ronni Ancona in Bend It Like Beckham WhatsOnStage com Retrieved 30 July 2021 a b Hickling Alfred 13 July 2015 The Tale of Mr Tumble review a nose honking good time The Guardian Retrieved 30 July 2021 Bennett Steve 19 August 2019 Ronni Ancona and Lewis MacLeod Just Checking In Chortle Retrieved 30 July 2021 Ancona Ronni McGowan Alistair 1 October 2009 A Matter of Life and Death How to Wean a Man Off Football Faber amp Faber ISBN 978 0571250547 a b Welsh actor wins comedy award BBC News 17 December 2000 Retrieved 30 July 2021 a b In brief Office duo fight for prize BBC News 19 November 2002 Retrieved 30 July 2021 Deans Jason 12 March 2002 Ant and Dec are triple winners at TV awards The Guardian Retrieved 30 July 2021 England amp Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index 1916 2005 Spencer Ben 8 April 2011 Ronni Ancona How my heart still aches over stillborn Seth Daily Record Retrieved 30 July 2021 Usborne Simon 20 October 2011 How We Met Ronni Ancona amp Alistair McGowan The Independent Retrieved 30 July 2021 Radio 4 Appeal BBC Radio 4 11 April 2013 Retrieved 30 July 2021 Cookalong TV launches with a mission to support charities in need Charity Today 30 June 2020 Retrieved 30 July 2021 Our celebrity supporters Sightsavers 18 April 2019 Retrieved 30 July 2021 External links edit Ronni Ancona Comedy guide BBC Ronni Ancona at IMDb Ronni Ancona on Twitter nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ronni Ancona amp oldid 1223630186, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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