Born in 1931, she attended a succession of Convent Schools without any sense of direction until a new elocution teacher recognised her potential, and encouraged her to apply for a Guildhall School of Speech and Drama scholarship. She won it when she was just 15, coming top in the whole of England.
She spent several years at the Players Theatre in London and was very much part of the new wave which brought a fresh and exciting mood to the stage and screen in the late Tony Richardson and starring Laurence Olivier. It was in Richardson's Tom Jones: de l'alcôve à la potence (1963) that she made her film debut.
Patsy Rowlands has carved a niche for herself in 10 "Carry On..." films as the hard-done-by wife or the put-upon employee. She was now one of the last surviving major "Carry On..." stars. Along with the late legendary Joan Sims she was capable of a wide range of roles.
Both comedy and straight roles made her a familiar figure to TV viewers, especially her portrayal of Betty, the feckless neighbour in the popular sitcom Bless This House (1971), which starred fellow "Carry On..." Sidney James. In later years she kept herself busy in guest roles in Bottom and playing Mrs Potts in the London stage version of Beauty and the Beast. She frequently made star guest appearances in relation to her "Carry On..." work.
In 2003 Patsy made a welcome return to "Carry On...", completing several audio commentaries along with other "Carry On..." stars such as Valerie Leon, Jack Douglas and Jacki Piper for the launch of the Carlton distributed later "Carry On..." DVDs.
