For more than six decades, Amanda Barrie has been a familiar face on British screens, from the comedy chaos of the Carry On films to the cobbles of Coronation Street. In 2025, as she approaches her 90th birthday, the actress remains active, outspoken, and still very much in the public eye. Here is a clear, fact-based look at her life, career, and current status.
Is Amanda Barrie Still Alive? Her Age and Current Status
Shirley Anne Broadbent (known as Amanda Barrie)
14 September 1935 (age 89 as of 2025)
Carry On Cleo, Coronation Street (Alma), Bad Girls
Alive, active, released memoir I’m Still Here in 2024
- Amanda Barrie is alive and well at 89, publicly stating she is “fighting fit” and credits laughter for her health. Channel 5 News interview (Facebook)
- She published her memoir I’m Still Here, My 90 Years in 2024, covering her journey from a teenage showgirl to a national treasure. Instagram announcement
- Her most iconic roles include Cleo in Carry On Cleo and Alma Halliwell in Coronation Street, a character she played for more than a decade.
- There is no publicly confirmed information about her net worth, and she has not reported any major current health issues.
- Barrie began her career at age three and has remained active on screen and stage for over 70 years. YouTube career interview
- She publicly came out as bisexual in her 2003 autobiography It’s Not a Rehearsal. IMDb – Amanda Barrie
- She married author Hilary Bonner in 2014, after a long-term relationship. Wikipedia – Amanda Barrie
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Shirley Anne Broadbent |
| Stage Name | Amanda Barrie |
| Date of Birth | 14 September 1935 |
| Age (2025) | 89 years old |
| Notable Works | Carry On Cleo (1964), Coronation Street (1981–2001), Bad Girls (2003–2006) |
| Memoir | I’m Still Here, My 90 Years (2024) |
| Current Status | Alive, active in public appearances |
Amanda Barrie’s Career: Movies, TV Shows, and Her Memoir
Amanda Barrie Movies and TV Shows: From Carry On Cleo to Coronation Street
Barrie’s breakthrough came in 1964 when she played Cleopatra in Carry On Cleo, a role that cemented her place in British comedy history. She also appeared in other Carry On entries, including Carry On Camping, and starred in the 1975 film One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing. On television, her most enduring role was Alma Halliwell (later Alma Baldwin) on Coronation Street, which she played from 1981 to 2001, with brief returns afterward. She later joined the cast of the ITV prison drama Bad Girls as Bev Tull from 2003 to 2006. Her full filmography spans more than 70 years, beginning when she was just three years old. Westlands Yeovil event page
Barrie’s 2024 memoir I’m Still Here, My 90 Years follows her first autobiography It’s Not a Rehearsal (2003), in which she revealed her bisexuality. The new book covers her early years as a runaway teenager in Soho, her rise in film and television, and her reflections on ageing and resilience. Official X/Twitter profile
Amanda Barrie Book: ‘I’m Still Here, My 90 Years’ Memoir
Barrie’s second memoir, I’m Still Here, My 90 Years, was published in 2024. The title is a cheerful nod to her longevity and vitality. In the book, she recounts running away from home at 13 to become a Soho showgirl, her years in the Carry On ensemble, and her time on Coronation Street. She also writes candidly about her relationship with Hilary Bonner and the health challenges she has faced. The memoir has been promoted through live events and social media, drawing renewed attention to her remarkable story.
Amanda Barrie’s Personal Life: Wife, Health, and Net Worth
Amanda Barrie Wife: Marital Status and Privacy
Barrie is married to Hilary Bonner, a British author and former journalist. The couple wed in 2014 after being together for many years. Bonner is Barrie’s second spouse; she was previously married to actor Robin Hunter from 1967 until their separation in the 1980s. The couple never divorced, and Hunter died in 2004. Barrie and Bonner live together and have been known to relocate between Somerset and London in recent years. Jackson-Stops article on relocation
Amanda Barrie Illness: Health Challenges and Resilience
Barrie has faced significant health battles. She survived cervical cancer, a disease that her Coronation Street character Alma ultimately died from. In 1997, she developed a serious optic disease that led to the loss of sight in her left eye. Despite these setbacks, she has continued to perform and make public appearances. In early 2025, she told Channel 5 News that she is “fighting fit” and that “having a laugh is as good a health kick as any.”
Although Barrie’s character on Coronation Street died from cervical cancer, Barrie herself survived the disease. She has also adapted to life with vision loss in one eye since 1997, yet she remains active on stage, performing in pantomimes such as Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk.
Amanda Barrie Net Worth: Not Publicly Disclosed
There is no publicly confirmed figure for Amanda Barrie’s net worth. Neither her official biographies nor recent interviews include details about her finances. Any numbers circulating online are unverified and should be treated as speculative. Barrie has not addressed the topic in her memoirs or public statements.
What Is the Timeline of Amanda Barrie’s Life?
- 1935 – Born Shirley Anne Broadbent in Ashton-under-Lyne, England.
- 1948 – Ran away from home at age 13 to become a Soho showgirl.
- 1964 – Starred as Cleo in Carry On Cleo, a breakthrough role.
- 1967 – Married actor Robin Hunter (separated in the 1980s; he died in 2004).
- 1981–2001 – Played Alma Halliwell (later Baldwin) on Coronation Street.
- 1997 – Lost sight in her left eye due to an optic disease.
- 2003 – Published first autobiography It’s Not a Rehearsal, revealing her bisexuality.
- 2003–2006 – Appeared in Bad Girls as Bev Tull.
- 2014 – Married author Hilary Bonner.
- 2024 – Published second memoir I’m Still Here, My 90 Years.
- 2025 – Active, promoting her book, giving interviews, and making public appearances; reports confirm she is in good health.
What Is Known and Unknown About Amanda Barrie?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is alive and well as of 2025. | Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed and cannot be reliably estimated. |
| She was born on 14 September 1935. | Details about her current marital finances and private family arrangements are not public. |
| She played Alma in Coronation Street and Cleo in Carry On Cleo. | No confirmed reports of any serious recent illness; she appears healthy based on media appearances. |
| She published a memoir in 2024 titled I’m Still Here, My 90 Years. | Whether she will take on new television or film roles remains unannounced. |
Some online sources repeat claims about Amanda Barrie’s net worth or speculate about her health. None of these claims are supported by official statements or verified financial records. The most reliable information comes from her Wikipedia entry, her IMDb profile, and her own social media accounts.
Why Does Amanda Barrie’s Story Matter?
Amanda Barrie’s career is a rare example of sustained versatility in British entertainment. She moved from comedy films to a long-running soap role to prime-time drama, all while navigating serious personal health challenges. Her decision to come out as bisexual in 2003, at a time when few older public figures did so, added a layer of cultural significance to her public profile. The release of her second memoir in 2024 reignited interest in her life story, particularly among fans who grew up watching her on Coronation Street. Her continued activity in 2025, including live stage performances and media interviews, demonstrates an ongoing connection with her audience.
What Has Amanda Barrie Said About Her Life?
“Having a laugh is as good a health kick as any!”
– Amanda Barrie, Channel 5 News Facebook video (March 2025)
“I’m Still Here, My 90 Years”
– Title of Amanda Barrie’s 2024 memoir, available via her official social media and booksellers.
“Running away from home aged just 13 to become a Soho showgirl led to an extraordinary life…”
– Description from Westlands Yeovil event page.
What Is the Overall Picture of Amanda Barrie?
Amanda Barrie remains a beloved and active figure in British entertainment at age 89. Her life story—from a teenage runaway to a Carry On star, a Coronation Street fixture, and a proudly bisexual woman in a long-term marriage—continues to resonate. Her 2024 memoir I’m Still Here offers a firsthand account of resilience, humour, and longevity. For readers interested in similar profiles, see Miriam Margolyes – From Harry Potter to BAFTA Winner and Denise Welch – Biography, Age, Husband and TV Career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amanda Barrie
What is Amanda Barrie’s real name?
Her birth name is Shirley Anne Broadbent.
Is Amanda Barrie married?
She is married to author Hilary Bonner. They wed in 2014. She was previously married to actor Robin Hunter from 1967 until his death in 2004.
Where can I buy Amanda Barrie’s book?
Her memoir I’m Still Here, My 90 Years is available from major online retailers and was promoted via her official X/Twitter account.
What is Amanda Barrie known for?
She is best known for playing Cleo in Carry On Cleo and Alma Halliwell in Coronation Street, as well as Bev Tull in Bad Girls.
Did Amanda Barrie have children?
There is no public information indicating that Amanda Barrie has children.
What happened to Amanda Barrie’s eye?
In 1997, she developed an optic disease that led to the loss of sight in her left eye. She has continued to act despite this.
Is Amanda Barrie still acting?
Yes, she remains active. In 2025, she has given interviews, attended events, and performed in stage productions such as Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk.
How old was Amanda Barrie in Coronation Street?
She was 46 when she first appeared as Alma Halliwell in 1981, and she played the role until she was 66 in 2001.
Is Amanda Barrie bisexual?
Yes, she publicly revealed her bisexuality in her 2003 autobiography It’s Not a Rehearsal.
What is Amanda Barrie’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly disclosed. No verified figure exists.
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Amelia Foster covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for BritView.uk.