Rock Follies was my first telly job as an actor. It was recorded in the Thames TV studios by Teddington Lock, and shooting was held up after lunch one day because Charlotte Cornwell had gone missing.
We knew she had some serious money problems and earlier that day had had a visit from the bailiffs. For this she blamed Thames, who were notoriously slow with artists’ payments. The runner sent to find her discovered her in the accounts department upstairs sitting on a desk (in costume and makeup) refusing to move until a cheque appeared.
With a studio filled with actors and operatives at an expensive standstill and an apoplectic director (Brian Farnham) this was swiftly arranged. Charlie descended to the floor to general admiration in her newly acquired status of heroine-of-the-oppressed actor, and shooting resumed.
She was no-nonsense, very funny and hugely talented, and will be greatly missed.
