Chit Chat
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Star of the Gentle Touch.
10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. Had no idea she was 83.
10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. Had no idea she was 83.
Show More
British actress Jill Gascoine, known for her roles in such TV dramas as The Gentle Touch and The Onedin Line, has died at the age of 83.
In the 1980s she played Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes in ITV's The Gentle Touch, the first British police drama with a woman in the main role.
She continued playing the character in spin-off C.A.T.S. Eyes, and was Letty Onedin in The Onedin Line in the 1970s.
She died after a long illness, her family told BBC News.
Her second husband was fellow actor Alfred Molina, who in 2016 confirmed his wife was "in a very advanced stage" of Alzheimer's disease.
Born in London in 1937, Gascoine started out in theatre before landing roles in such TV series as Z Cars, Dixon of Dock Green and Rooms.
She also appeared in saucy comedy Confessions of a Pop Performer opposite Robin Askwith, who remembered her on Twitter as being "terrific in every way".
She spent four years on The Onedin Line before spending the next five on The Gentle Touch.
After moving to Los Angeles with Molina in the 1990s, she went on to become a novelist.
In 2009, it was announced that Gascoine would be returning to the UK to join the cast of EastEnders, playing the role of Glenda Mitchell.
But she withdrew from the BBC soap on her first day of filming, leading to her role being given to Glynis Barber.
"Having spent the last 15 years working in America... I felt on arrival I lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama," she said at the time.
"I have tremendous respect for EastEnders and the cast so I don't want to let the show or my fellow cast members down."
In the 1980s she played Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes in ITV's The Gentle Touch, the first British police drama with a woman in the main role.
She continued playing the character in spin-off C.A.T.S. Eyes, and was Letty Onedin in The Onedin Line in the 1970s.
She died after a long illness, her family told BBC News.
Her second husband was fellow actor Alfred Molina, who in 2016 confirmed his wife was "in a very advanced stage" of Alzheimer's disease.
Born in London in 1937, Gascoine started out in theatre before landing roles in such TV series as Z Cars, Dixon of Dock Green and Rooms.
She also appeared in saucy comedy Confessions of a Pop Performer opposite Robin Askwith, who remembered her on Twitter as being "terrific in every way".
She spent four years on The Onedin Line before spending the next five on The Gentle Touch.
After moving to Los Angeles with Molina in the 1990s, she went on to become a novelist.
In 2009, it was announced that Gascoine would be returning to the UK to join the cast of EastEnders, playing the role of Glenda Mitchell.
But she withdrew from the BBC soap on her first day of filming, leading to her role being given to Glynis Barber.
"Having spent the last 15 years working in America... I felt on arrival I lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama," she said at the time.
"I have tremendous respect for EastEnders and the cast so I don't want to let the show or my fellow cast members down."
Exceptionally good looking woman was Jill.Another one from my youth gone.
Enjoyed watching The Gentle Touch back in the day.
Time flies doesn't it, didn't think she was anywhere near 83 yo, sad to die after suffering from this terrible disease. On a lighter note and no wish to offend anyones sensibilities but i still have a copy of "Confessions of a pop performer" on Video, and she played a very saucy part in that film and can understand why Robin Asquith posted "Terrific in every way!"
Bloody hell I used to think she was fit in the gentle touch
Yep, Friday/Sat nights ITV 8/9 o clock and a cool theme tune to boot.
Very attractive lady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DysVMsqaEI4
RIP.
Very attractive lady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DysVMsqaEI4
RIP.
I liked her in the Gentle Touch. A very accomplished actress. I hope she's in the best place now. RIP Ms Gascoine!
That's a good point about the credits music duffy, it was a very good theme. There was a fast version and a slow version. The same guy (Roger Webb) also composed a memorable tune for the Hammer House of Horror series.
And agree, Jill was a very nice lady.
And agree, Jill was a very nice lady.
Unfortunately Alzheimers robbed her of life some time ago ... at least there is no longer any suffering for family & friends except the sadness of loss
rip had very bad Alzheimers for years ,stopped recognising her husband Alfred Molina years ago ,almost a relief when someone in such a bad state goes i suppose.Surprised BBC news didnt mention her passing.
Good story about her getting a part in EastEnders then deciding on the first day that it wasn’t for her so packed it in.
By a weird coincidence I saw this thread yesterday and this early morning she's (looking really hot) in an episode of "Rooms" on "Talking Pictures" channel. She was quite lovely before the perm.
I am so glad others are saying she was an attractive lady.
Only when I started watching The Gentle Touch on Talking Pictures two or thee years ago now did I remember just what a looker she was. Lovely smile and eyes.
I discovered she was so ill with Dementia as The Gentle Touch was being rerun and since then have often thought how awfully sad it was that such a lovely girl had gone to her own lonely place.
RIP Jill Gascione.
(BTW, no doubt the BBC made no mention of her passing because they know only of people from the last 20 years or so tops and, equally, would have been getting their rocks off doom-mongering about COVID anyway.)
Only when I started watching The Gentle Touch on Talking Pictures two or thee years ago now did I remember just what a looker she was. Lovely smile and eyes.
I discovered she was so ill with Dementia as The Gentle Touch was being rerun and since then have often thought how awfully sad it was that such a lovely girl had gone to her own lonely place.
RIP Jill Gascione.
(BTW, no doubt the BBC made no mention of her passing because they know only of people from the last 20 years or so tops and, equally, would have been getting their rocks off doom-mongering about COVID anyway.)
Can I please add my name to the latecomers who watched some of 'The Gentle Touch' episodes when it was on Talking Pictures a year or so ago ?
Jill was very good in it, and as others have pointed out, a beautiful looking woman.
Very sad news indeed that she suffered dementia before she passed.
Jill was very good in it, and as others have pointed out, a beautiful looking woman.
Very sad news indeed that she suffered dementia before she passed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52471574
Currently watching her in Rooms but I thought both The Gentle Touch and Cat's Eyes were terrible.
Currently watching her in Rooms but I thought both The Gentle Touch and Cat's Eyes were terrible.
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539