Actress. Though she had a long career on stage, as well as in movies and on radio, she will be best remembered for her numerous British television appearances. Raised in Liverpool, to which her family had moved after their business in Staffordshire failed, Hackney never attended school, but was drawn to classical music and dance from an early age. She studied ballet with Anna Pavlova, and, after passing her advanced exams, landed her first professional job performing pantomime in Hull. By 15, she was a dancer with the Windmill Theatre, where she met comedic actor Eric Barker; following her 1936 marriage, she settled in Stalisfield, while touring with her husband. During WWII, Barker joined the Royal Navy, while Hackney served in the Royal Army as part of the Home Guard; the war years saw her tour (especially military hospitals), while the couple took part in “Merry-Go-Round”, a military-themed radio comedy. The show was a particular favourite of Queen Mary, resulting in invitations to perform at Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, the London Palladium, and elsewhere. After the war, the show split into three parts, with Hackney and Barker appearing in the Naval portion, “Waterlogged Spa”. The couple was to take part in “Just Fancy”, an early project of BBC television. After a stroke ended Barker’s career, she returned to the stage to support her family; a two year West End run in “Not Now Darling” lead to appearances in “Showboat” and “Funny Man”. On the silver screen, she had roles in “There’s a Girl in My Soup” (1970), and the 1979 “Yanks”, among others. Long a regular on English television, her many credits include “Are You Being Served?”, “Coronation Street”, and “All Creatures Great and Small”. Retiring in her 70s, Hackney was active in her local community, serving on the Stalisfield Parish Council. (bio by: Bob Hufford)  Family links:  Spouse:  Eric Barker (1912 – 1990)