Actress Sandy Ratcliff dies aged 70.

Sandy is best known of course for her iconic role of Sue Osman in BBC One saga EastEnders, however, she made her first soap opera regular appearance in Crossroads in 1974.

She was first seen (in a photograph) in episode 2219, before making her entrance fully in the following edition. Sandy played Barbara Wells, the love-interest of George Parker played by Harry Beety. George was the father of series regular Vince portrayed by Peter Brookes.

The storyline saw Vince highly disapprove of the relationship between Barbara and George – as his father was 30 years her senior, however, things took a twist when he found himself falling for her charms. Barbara and George Parker however departed Kings Oak in early 1975 when she decided Vince wasn’t the man for her.

After Crossroads Sandy appeared in many popular television series of the 1970s and early 80s including Granada Television’s Crown Court, Thames TV’s The Sweeney and BBC One’s Shoestring. She’d found fame in her 20s as a model which had lead to movie work notably 1971’s Family Life, The Final Programme of 1973, Yesterday’s Hero in 1979 and a year later Hussy.

It will be Sue Osman in EastEnders that Sandy will be best remembered, however. She appeared from the serial’s launch in 1985 through to 1989.

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