Joanne Heywood


Joanne Heywood is an English television actress, probably best known for her role as Jessica Lovelock in Grace & Favour, a spin-off series of Are You Being Served?.

Early life and career

Born in York, Heywood was educated in York, Guildford and in Sydney, Australia. She studied Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting and, after graduating, made her professional stage debut in 1985 production of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at York's Theatre Royal. For the next decade, she regularly appeared in pantomime at the same venue, often in the coveted role of Principal Boy. During this period, she also performed in stage musicals, including regional productions of Annie, and Camelot, as well as the world premieres of Scrooge: The Musical and the stage adaptation of High Society.
Heywood's television debut was in the role of Dilys on the short-lived BBC series First of the Summer Wine. In 1991, she made guest appearances on the television shows The New Statesman and The Brittas Empire. In addition to her role as Jessica Lovelock, Heywood played Sally Bennett in the Gerry Poulson film Stanley's Dragon. She has also guest-starred in Knightmare, Next of Kin, two episodes of Coronation Street and A Prince Among Men.
In recent years, her television appearances have become less regular. She has appeared in Heartbeat, Emmerdale Farm and My Hero. Since then, Heywood has continued to perform frequently in regional and West End theatre productions, including plays, musicals and pantomimes.

Television roles

YearTitleRole
1988-89First of the Summer WineDilys
1992-93Grace & FavourJessica Lovelock
1994KnightmareStiletta

Stage roles

YearTitleVenueRole
1985Jack and the BeanstalkTheatre Royal, York-
1987High Society Victoria Palace, London-
1988-89Camelot Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool-
1992Scrooge: The MusicalAlexandra Theatre, BirminghamIsabel
1998Out of Order Mill at Sonning, Sonning EyeJane Worthington
1999The Strange & Surprising Adventures of Robinson CrusoePalace Theatre, WatfordDolly
2000Behind the Scenes at the Museum Theatre Royal, YorkPatricia
2000-01Dick Whittington Theatre Royal, York-
2001All for Mary Mill at Sonning, Sonning EyeMary Millar
2002-03Babbies in the Wood Theatre Royal, YorkPrincipal Boy
2003-04Mother Goose's Silver Jubilee Theatre Royal, YorkPrincipal Boy
2005Sleeping Beauty City Varieties Music Hall, LeedsVulgaria
2007Waiting for Gateaux Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne-
2007-08Sleeping Beauty Gala Theatre, Durham CityCarabosse
2008Birthday Suite Mill at Sonning, Sonning EyeKate
2008-09Sleeping Beauty Octagon Theatre, YeovilCarabosse
2010Nightfright: The Nightmare of Your Life Connaught Theatre, WorthingJacqui
2010Legacy Falls New Players Theatre, LondonTaylor Taylor