Shirley Cheriton


Shirley Cheriton is an English actress and performer, best known for her roles as Debbie Wilkins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and her portrayal of Miss Prescott in the Are You Being Served? follow up, Grace & Favour.
Cheriton was born in London. Her EastEnders role ran from her arrival in the Square in March 1985 until her departure with Detective Terry Rich in May 1987. Her character was Walford's original middle-class yuppie, as well as for her stormy relationship with the Scottish nurse, Andy O'Brien. Cheriton left her first husband for Davidson, but ended her relationship with Davidson, who was by then her fellow ex-Eastenders actor, via mobile phone after five years.
Other television credits include Angels, in which she played Katy Betts/Smart in one of EastEnders creator Julia Smith's earlier projects and in 2003. She also appeared as Naomi Grant in the 1977 ATV TV series Raven, opposite Phil Daniels. Her other TV appearances included roles in Granada Television's Crown Court in 1974 in The Woman Least Likely, the 1976 horror anthology series Beasts, the 1978 miniseries Will Shakespeare, and at least one episode of The Cuckoo Waltz. Also appeared with Eric Sykes, series 13 ep 6 "Night Out" December 1974.