Raven haired, sometimes blonde (particulary in the earlier years), pretty actress who was born in 1934. Dilys Laye is an actress who is capable of a wide range of roles, from straight drama to comedy. Starting in the 1950s; she started like most other British film actresses of her era in studio system style films. One of her first films was Torment (1950) and she continued in popular movies like Blue Murder at St. Trinian's (1957) and Doctor at Large (1957). Today, Dilys is often remembered for her appearances in the "Carry On.." films. Her first "Carry On..." appearance was in Carry on Cruising (1962) where along with Esma Cannon , she stole many of the best comedy scenes away from the regular cast; the famous bar scene is an example of this. She took over the role at four days' notice when Joan Sims was unable to appear because of ill health. Her next 'Carry On...' appearance saw her take on a sinister and darker role in Carry on Spying (1964) as Lila. She even sings in a café bar scene - which was quite extraordinary and delivered well. In Carry on Doctor (1967) she plays patient Mavis Winkle who is searching for love and finds it in the unusual place of the hospital ward, and in Carry on Camping (1969), she appeared alongside "Carry On..." legend Joan Sims . They are perfectly cast together and complement each others performances throughout the movie. Since "Carry On..." her work has mainly been on the stage with some television and film appearances. Character roles seem to be the order of the day recently with appearances in soaps such as "Coronation Street" (1960) and "EastEnders" (1985). Other character parts have included "Holby City" (1999) and "Doctors" (2000). A recent performance saw Miss Laye appear, quite brilliantly, as HM The Queen in "The Amazing Mrs Pritchard" (2006).

Lifelong friend of "Carry On..." star Joan Sims , they first met when they were 16.Was allowed to keep most of the costumes she wore in the Carry On films, in particular. Carry on Cruising (1962) and Carry on Camping (1969).Was taught poker by Sid James during the filming of Carry on Camping (1969).Owns Betty E. Box 's white leather script holder.Replaced Joan Sims in Carry on Cruising (1962) three days before filming commenced. The producers rushed Dilys around London in order to get her fitted with costumes in time.Son is Agent / Producer / Actor Andrew Downer .Took over the Flo Castle role from Joan Sims in Carry on Cruising (1962).Daughter of Edward Lay and his wife Margaret (née Hewitt).Educated at St Dominic's Convent, Harrow-on-the-Hill, northwest London, she trained for the stage at the Aida Foster School and made her first appearance as a child in 1948 as Moritz in The Burning Bush at the New Lindsey Theatre.For the last 20 years she lived off Wimbledon Common in the house where she nursed her sick husband, the actor/writer Alan Downer , until his death in 1995. The stress of caring for him brought on her own serious illness but she recovered.Her father was a musician who abandoned the family when she was 8.Made her Broadway debut as Dulcie, Polly's friend, in the musical "The Boyfriend" when the London production transferred to New York in 1954. She co-starred with Julie Andrews (as Polly) and the two shared a Manhattan apartment for the duration of the run.Educated (1944-1947) at St. Dominic's Convent, Harrow-on-the-Hill, and trained in theatre (1947-1949) at the Ada Foster Stage School.