Patricia Penrose is a British actress, singer & broadcaster. She is best known for her role as Gina Ward in ITV's long-running 1960s drama Heartbeat, a role she played continuously for 17 years from 1993 to 2010. She has also appeared on The Royal, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Boon, Justice, Fort Boyard, The Bill and Dancin' Thru the Dark. As well as her acting roles, she has had her own show on Radio Wirral and since 2021 has been working on some shows for BBC Radio 4.
Although primarily focused on her acting career, Penrose has also had an interest in the music industry, releasing two singles – "Where Did Our Love Go?" (1996, UK No. 71) and "Don't Wanna Be Alone" (2000, UK No. 44). In 2002, she reached the final of A Song for Europe (the competition to select the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry) but did not win. In 2004, however, she won a Christmas edition of the ITV show Stars in Their Eyes, performing as Brenda Lee and singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". She previously appeared in the show as Lisa Stansfield. She has also sung a number of times on Heartbeat, her character Gina even won a talent contest in an episode in series 2, with her version of the Lulu hit "Shout".
Penrose's first television role was in 1985 as Ruth in Brookside. She then appeared in the soap opera in 1987 as WPC Emma Reid. In 1987 she appeared in the "A Ride on the Wild Side" episode of Boon as Lindy Yates, before a cast role in 1988's Vroom. Penrose appeared in a 1990 episode of Medics as the character Jean and in the same year had a part in Dancin' Thru the Dark.
Penrose appeared in Emmerdale in 1991 as Louise and then in two episodes of Coronation Street in 1991/92.
Penrose's appearance as Carol the Barmaid in 1993's Terraces was followed by her longest running role as Gina Ward in Heartbeat where she appeared in over 300 episodes between 1993 and the series final episode in 2010, making her the longest serving female cast member. Gina was an extremely popular character and her on/off relationship with Phil Bellamy (played by Mark Jordon) kept viewers hooked up until they got married in series 16. Gina arrived in the village of Aidensfield in episode 4 (Bitter Harvest) of series 2 in a bright red Isetta Bubble Car and in series 9 she changed the Isetta for a white VW Beetle, which she had up until the last episode in series 18. The Isetta is currently on display in Beaulieu motor museum. She is also a supporter of the annual Heartbeat car rally which is held in Goathland every year and often attends to meet and greet fans of the show, usually with co-star David Lonsdale.
Penrose also appeared (as Gina Ward) in two episodes of the Heartbeat spin-off The Royal in 2003.
In 2011 Penrose appeared as Hayley Gosling in the critically acclaimed British legal drama, Justice.
| Date of Birth | 9th April 1970 |
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| Age | 54 Years |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Current City | Kirkby |
| Language | English |
| Reference | IMDB |
| Spouses | Mark Simpkin |
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