Sheila Bernette

Sheila Bernette (occasionally Burnette; 30 March 1931 – 12 January 2026) was an English actress and singer who appeared in film, television and radio with a career spanning over 50 years.

Bernette was born Sheila Mary Poncini in Marylebone, London on 30 March 1931.^[1] She was the daughter of Charles Poncini, a restaurant waiter of Italian descent, and his wife Freda (nee Morris).^[2][3]. She attended the Italia Conti Stage Academy from the age of two, specialising in ballet, leaving after five years to concentrate on acting at the Aida Foster Theatre School.^[4]

Bernette began her television career in 1955. She was popular and appeared as herself from 1968 in multiple UK television shows. Largely appearing in comedy roles, she was a regular sidekick to many stars including Dick Emery and Leslie Crowther. Bernette appeared as herself in many television productions. She is remembered as one of the regular practical jokers in the UK version of Candid Camera.^[5] Very petite, Bernette usually wore her hair up to increase her height. A competent singer, she was a regular on variety shows such as the Good Old Days and The Black and White Minstrel Show and appeared on the Royal Variety Performance show of 1970.^[6] In addition to her film and television roles, Bernette was a regular performer at the Players' Theatre in Covent Garden.^[7]

In her Royal Variety Performance, she was introduced by Leslie Crowther as a Russian defector, the ballerina "Natalia Nokemova", and performed the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with Crowther playing ballet cricketer "Freddie Trumanov".^[6][3] Her final film role was in Driving Aphrodite in 2009, playing a pickpocket and shoplifter.^[4] Her final television role was in Hotel Trubble, appearing in every episode from 2008 to 2011 as the long-term hotel resident and later cleaner, Mrs Poshington.^[3]

Bernette lived in North London. She died on 12 January 2026, at the age of 94.^[3]

• Sheila Bernette at IMDb
• Sheila Bernette discography at Discogs