‘Gracie’ star gets Mayoral award

Photo: Joel C Fildes

AWARD: Sue Devaney receives her award from the Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Cecile Biant, and the Mayor, Councillor Surinder Biant.

STAR of the Coliseum’s world premiere produciton of Our Gracie, Sue Devaney has received a special Mayoral commendation.

Sue was given the award - recognising her contribution to acting and entertainment - in the Mayor’s Parlour of her home town, Rochdale, by the borough’s mayor, Councillor Surinder Biant.

Sue was trained at Oldham Theatre Workshop before landing her first big acting job, as Debbie Webster in “Coronation Street”, when she was 17.

She became a familiar face on television with regular roles in “Casualty” and “dinnerladies”.

Sue is also a successful theatre actress and before accepting the role of fellow Rochdalian Gracie Fields has just finished an international tour in “Mamma Mia”.

On playing Gracie Fields, she said: “As a northern actress growing up in Rochdale, Gracie has always been a part of my heritage. I hope I do her and Rochdale proud.”