Barbara Dulcie Lott (15 May 1920 – 19 December 2002)[1] was a British actress probably best remembered as Ronnie Corbett's character's mother, Phyllis Lumsden in the BBC television sitcom Sorry!.[2] She also appeared in Coronation Street, Rings on Their Fingers, Survivors, Z-Cars and as Rona's auntie Pearl in the BBC television sitcom 2point4 Children, amongst others.[3]
Lott was born on 15 May 1920 in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey.[4] Her father, William Lott, was an executive at Ealing Studios and Lott appeared in small roles in films as a child.[5] She studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1937 and joining repertory theatre.[6][5] In 1940, she married Stuart Latham, who was later a producer of Coronation Street.[5] Lott eventually made her London stage debut in Love for Love at the Haymarket Theatre in 1944.[5] Her first television appearance was as Viola in Twelfth Night in 1950 and she went on to appear frequently on television in small roles.[5] In 1978, she was cast in her first major role in Rings on Their Fingers, in 1981 in Sorry! and in 1992 in an occasional role in 2point4 Children.[5] She appeared in several films, most notably as Ewan McGregor’s mother in The Pillow Book.[5] She died on 19 December 2002 in London, aged 82.[1]