EILEEN MAYERS DIES AFTER PLAYING SHEILA BIRTLES

Eileen Mayers, who played factory worker Sheila Birtles in Coronation Street, died in June. News of her death became public several months later. Mayers first appeared in the ITV soap in January 1961 and continued in the role until September 1963. She played Sheila in 161 episodes across her appearances on the programme.

Mayers began acting at Oldham Repertory Theatre. She made her first screen appearance in the television series I'm Not Bothered in 1956. Her other television credits included Just Jimmy in 1964 and How's Your Father in 1974. She also appeared in Screenplay in 1981 and Keep It in the Family in 1983. In 1963, ITV planned a storyline in which Sheila would take her own life after a failed love affair left the character depressed.

Details of that storyline became public before ITV broadcast the scenes. Objections followed, and ITV cut scenes that the production had already filmed. ITV changed Sheila's storyline, and Mayers returned to Coronation Street in 1966. She made further appearances as Sheila in 1969 and 1974, extending her time in the role across 13 years. A tribute to Mayers ended with the words: “God bless.”