Debbie Linden (22 February 1961 – 6 October 1997) was a Scottish-born

glamour model A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Though m ...

and actress best known for her career in England, especially her role as old Mr Grace's secretary in the sitcom ''

Are You Being Served? ''Are You Being Served?'' is a British sitcom created and written by executive producer David Croft (Croft also directed some episodes) and Jeremy Lloyd, with contributions from Michael Knowles and John Chapman, for the BBC. Set in London, ...

'' (1981). Born in

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated pop ...

, she played roles in various other TV series, such as '' The Professionals'', ''

Just Good Friends ''Just Good Friends'' is a British sitcom written by John Sullivan. It stars Paul Nicholas and Jan Francis as former lovers Vincent Pinner and Penny Warrender, who meet in a pub five years after he jilted her at the altar. Three series and a ...

'', '' Bergerac'', and ''

The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused on ...

''; she appeared in several feature films, among them ''

Home Before Midnight ''Home Before Midnight'' is a 1979 British sexploitation drama film directed and produced by Pete Walker, written by Murray Smith, and starring James Aubrey, Alison Elliott and Richard Todd. Plot The film is set in London and follows Mike B ...

'' and ''

The Wildcats of St Trinian's ''The Wildcats of St Trinian's'' is the fifth British comedy film set in the fictional St Trinian's School. Directed by Frank Launder, it was released in 1980. The film pokes fun at the British trade union movement which had been responsible fo ...

''. Linden was plagued with a drug problem for years. On the night of 5 October 1997, she died of a

heroin overdose An opioid overdose is toxicity due to excessive consumption of opioids, such as morphine, codeine, heroin, fentanyl, tramadol, and methadone. This preventable pathology can be fatal if it leads to respiratory depression, a lethal condition that c ...

at home at the age of 36. Her boyfriend, Russell Ainsworth, was acquitted of manslaughter charges but sentenced to two-and-a-half years for supplying the drug.Bad and Beautiful: Inside the Dazzling and Deadly World of Supermodels
By Ian Halperin Citadel Press p. 152

Film credits

* ''

'' (1979) as Carol * ''

'' (1980) as Mavis * ''

Bloodbath at the House of Death ''Bloodbath at the House of Death'' is a 1984 British comedy horror film directed by Ray Cameron and starring the comedian Kenny Everett and featuring Vincent Price. It is an over-the-top spoof loosely inspired by ''The Amityville Horror'' and othe ...

'' (1984) as Attractive girl * ''

Eat the Rich "Eat the rich" is a political slogan associated with class conflict and anti-capitalism. The phrase is commonly attributed to political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, from a quote first popularized during the French Revolution: "When the peo ...

'' (1987) as Layla

TV credits

* ''

The Benny Hill Show ''The Benny Hill Show'' is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill that aired on the BBC and ITV (from 1969) between 15 January 1955 and 1 May 1989. The show consisted mainly of sketches that were full of slapstick, mime, paro ...

'' (1978) * ''

Dick Emery Richard Gilbert Emery (19 February 19152 January 1983) was an English comedian and actor. His broadcasting career began on radio in the 1950s, and his self-titled television series ran from 1963 to 1981. Life and career Richard Gilbert Emery was ...

's Comedy Hour'' (1979) * '' The Professionals'' (1979; Bodie's Girl) * ''The Ghost Sonata'' (

TV film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

) (1980; as Milkmaid) * ''

Cowboys A cowboy is a professional pastoralist or mounted livestock herder, usually from the Americas or Australia. Cowboy(s) or The Cowboy(s) may also refer to: Film and television * ''Cowboy'' (1958 film), starring Glenn Ford * ''Cowboy'' (1966 film) ...

'' (1980; as Doreen) * ''The

Jim Davidson James Cameron Davidson (born 13 December 1953) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, singer and TV presenter. He hosted the television shows '' Big Break'' and '' The Generation Game''. He also developed two adult pantomime shows such as '' ...

Show'' (1981) * ''

'' (1981; as Old Mr Grace's secretary) * ''Don't Rock the Boat'' (TV series) (1982; as Melanie) * ''

The Kenny Everett Television Show ''The Kenny Everett Television Show'' is a comedy sketch show broadcast on BBC1 from 1981 to 1988. It was presented by its main performer Kenny Everett, who wrote the material with Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron. Later in 1986 they were joined by ...

'' (1981) * ''

'' (1984; as Brenda) * ''The Kid'' (TV series) (1986; as the Blonde Girl) * '' The Dame Edna Experience'' (1987 Christmas special episode "The Dame Edna Christmas Experience"; as Debbie) * '' Bergerac'' (1991; as Margie) * ''

'' (1994; as Mrs Petty)

Video release

* ''The

Kenny Everett Kenny Everett (born Maurice James Christopher Cole; 25 December 1944 – 4 April 1995) was an English comedian, radio disc jockey and television presenter. After spells on pirate radio and Radio Luxembourg in the mid-1960s, he was one of the fi ...

Naughty Joke Box'' (1981)

Discography

* ''The

Naughty Joke-Box'' (1984) Vinyl Album (catalogue ref LAX LP 101) on Relax Records. https://www.discogs.com/Kenny-Everett-Naughty-Joke-Box/release/3849723

References

External links

* 1961 births 1997 deaths 20th-century Scottish actresses Actresses from Glasgow Deaths by heroin overdose in England Glamour models Scottish female models Scottish film actresses Scottish television actresses {{UK-model-stub