Some Facts
Went to Columbia in 1966 to promote the "Carry On..." films.
She was turned down for the part of Miss Crawley in Vanity Fair (1998).
Suffered with Bell's palsy in 1999, which caused depression and alcoholism.
Her father was a station master, she spent much of her childhood entertaining passengers with impromptu stage routines on the station platform and befriending any poor soul who missed their train and became stranded there. Such diversions sparked an interest in pursuing showbusiness and Joan soon became a familiar face in a growing number of amateur productions.
Anthony Asquith once told her that she couldn't play a serious role because she had such a happy cheery face.