Tonicha Lawrence
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Tonicha Dobre (née Jeronimo; born 4 November 1977) is a British actress, born in
Jersey Jersey ( ; ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, is an autonomous and self-governing island territory of the British Islands. Although as a British Crown Dependency it is not a sovereign state, it has its own distinguishing civil and gov ...
, of partial Portuguese extraction. She is best known for her role as
Linda Fowler Linda Fowler (also Glover) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'', played by Tonicha Jeronimo from 1994 to 1997. It was reported on 6 May 1997 that Jeronimo had quit the soap after three years. The character w ...
in ''
Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British television soap opera that is broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a List of fictional towns and villages, fict ...
'' between 1994 and 1997, when her character was killed off.


Early life and education

Jeronimo has a Portuguese father, Antonio; her mother is Susan, and she has an older sister, Filipa; her eldest sister is Lisa. Jeronimo and her family left
Jersey Jersey ( ; ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, is an autonomous and self-governing island territory of the British Islands. Although as a British Crown Dependency it is not a sovereign state, it has its own distinguishing civil and gov ...
when she was 11 years old, living for a short time in
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
, before moving to
Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...
permanently. Jeronimo attended the Carousel School of Dancing (renamed to Studio 16 in 2016) in Jersey, from the age of two years old. She was one of the youngest actors ever to be offered a place at the
London Studio Centre London Studio Centre, in North Finchley, London, is a British dance and theatre school providing courses in classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance, and musical theatre. It is accredited by the CDMT, Council for Dance, Drama and Musical ...
; however, she had to turn the offer down, after instead taking her first TV acting role in ''
Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British television soap opera that is broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a List of fictional towns and villages, fict ...
'' at the age of 16 years old.


Career

After leaving ''Emmerdale'', Jeronimo joined the
Hull Truck Theatre Hull Truck Theatre is a theatre in Kingston upon Hull, England, which presents drama productions, and also tours. In March 2022, the theatre's original premises on Coltman Street, Hull, was recognised by a blue plaque to coincide with the theatr ...
company, where she worked regularly with the playwright
John Godber John Harry Godber (born 18 May 1956) is an English playwright, known mainly for observational comedy, observational comedies. The ''Plays and Players Yearbook'' of 1993 rated him the third most performed playwright in the UK after William Shak ...
, who was also the director of the theatre. From December 1997 to January 1998, Jeronimo starred in the
pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment, generally combining gender-crossing actors and topical humour with a story more or less based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or ...
''
Cinderella "Cinderella", or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a Folklore, folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press, 1988. The protagonist is a you ...
'' at the
Sunderland Empire Theatre The Sunderland Empire Theatre is a large theatre venue located in High Street West in Sunderland, North East England. The theatre, which opened in 1907, is owned by City of Sunderland Council and operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, on be ...
. From February to April 1998, Jeronimo toured ''
Beauty and the Beast "Beauty and the Beast" is a fairy tale written by the French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in (''The Young American and Marine Tales''). Villeneuve's lengthy version was abridged, rewritten, and publish ...
'', at the
Swansea Grand Theatre Swansea Grand Theatre is a performing arts venue in the centre of Swansea, Wales. The theatre stages plays, pantomimes and touring theatrical acts visiting Swansea. Swansea Grand Theatre was the base for the UK's only Russian ballet company, ...
in
Swansea Swansea ( ; ) is a coastal City status in the United Kingdom, city and the List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, second-largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of ...
, the Pavilion Theatre in
Rhyl Rhyl (; , ) is a seaside town and community in Denbighshire in Wales. The town lies on the coast of North Wales, at the mouth of the River Clwyd. To the west is Kinmel Bay and Towyn, to the east Prestatyn, and to the south-east Rhuddlan ...
, the
Hull New Theatre The Hull New Theatre is a theatre in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It opened in 1939 as a successor to the Hull Repertory Theatre Company. The Hull New Theatre features Musical theatre, musicals, opera, ballet, drama, ch ...
, the Forum Theatre in
Billingham Billingham is a List of towns in England, town and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in County Durham, England. The town is on the north side of the River Tees and is governed as part of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees unitary authority ...
, and the
Manchester Opera House The Opera House in Quay Street, Manchester, England, is a 1,920-seater commercial touring Theatre (structure), theatre that plays host to touring Musical theatre, musicals, ballet, concerts and a Christmas pantomime. It is a Grade II listed buil ...
. From April to June 2000, she starred in John Godber's production of ''Seasons in the Sun'' at the
Hull Truck Theatre Hull Truck Theatre is a theatre in Kingston upon Hull, England, which presents drama productions, and also tours. In March 2022, the theatre's original premises on Coltman Street, Hull, was recognised by a blue plaque to coincide with the theatr ...
, and the
West Yorkshire Playhouse Leeds Playhouse is a theatre in the city centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It opened in 1990 in the Quarry Hill area of the city as the West Yorkshire Playhouse, successor to the original Leeds Playhouse, and was rebranded in June 2018 ...
in
Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...
. From December 2000 to January 2001, Jeronimo and her then-husband Stuart Wade, appeared in
Simon Barry Simon Barry (born 25 September 1966) is a Canadian screenwriter, film producer, director and television producer. Career Barry is best known for his work on the Canadian sci-fi series '' Continuum'' (2012–2015). In 2013, building on his tra ...
's pantomime version of Cinderella at the
Grand Opera House, York The Grand Opera House is a Theater (structure), theatre on the corner of Clifford Street (York), Clifford Street and Cumberland Street in York, North Yorkshire, England. The structure, which hosts touring productions of Play (theatre), plays, mu ...
. She played the title role, while husband Stuart played the role of
Buttons A button is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric together by slipping through a loop or by sliding through a buttonhole. In modern clothing and fashion design, buttons are commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, o ...
. From May to June 2001, she starred in Alice Bartlett's stage adaption of '' Little Malcolm and his Struggles Against the Eunuchs'', again with Wade, at the Hull Truck Theatre, and the
Theatre Royal, Wakefield The Theatre Royal Wakefield is a theatre in Wakefield, England, which dates back to 1894. The theatre was originally known as the ''Theatre Royal and Opera House'' and dates back to the 1770s. The theatre lies on the corner Westgate (Wakefield) ...
. In May 2001, Jeronimo starred in Kate Bramley's production of '' Doctor Faustus'', again with Wade, at the Hull Truck Theatre. From December 2001 to January 2002, she starred in ''Cinderella'' for a third time, this time with her sister Filipa Jeronimo (now known as Pippa Adams), as well as Wade, at the
Tameside Hippodrome Tameside Hippodrome is a 1262 seat theatre located in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England. History In February 1904, William Henry Broadhead, who already owned three theatres in the Manchester area, acquired land in Ashton-under-L ...
in
Ashton-under-Lyne Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. The population was 48,604 at the 2021 census. Historic counties of England, Historically in Lancashire, it is on the north bank of the River Tame, Greater Manchester, ...
. From December 2003 to January 2004, she and Wade starred in the pantomime of ''
Jack and the Beanstalk "Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale with ancient origins. It appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 4th edition :File:Round about our Coal Fire, or, Christmas Entertainments, 4th edn, 1734.pdf, On C ...
'' at the Grand Opera House in York. Jeronimo played the role of Fairy Peapod, while Wade played the role of Simple Simon. Jeronimo and Wade owned a hairdressing business, and Wade owned a property developing business. After ''Jack and the Beanstalk'' ended, they both decided to leave acting for a while to focus on their growing family. Jeronimo also worked for
West Yorkshire Police West Yorkshire Police, formerly the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England. It is the fourth largest territorial police force in England ...
for eight years, between 2001 and 2009. In September 2008, Jeronimo founded the acting school Tonicha Lawrence Academy (abbreviated to the TLA), which is based at
Gateways School Harewood ( ) is a village, civil parish, former manor and ecclesiastical parish, in West Yorkshire, England, today in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds. The civil parish population at the 2011 census was 3,734. Etymology The name ...
in
Harewood, West Yorkshire Harewood ( ) is a village, civil parishes in England, civil parish, former Manorialism, manor and ecclesiastical parish, in West Yorkshire, England, today in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds. The civil parish population at the 2011 ...
. She also founded the acting agency TLA Boutique Management at the same time. TLA Boutique Management originally offered representation to children and adults in the industry, by getting them auditions, before focusing solely on representing children. In 2020 TLA Boutique Management separated from the acting school, and was renamed Wrap Management. Wrap Management represents experienced children and adults from
Northern England Northern England, or the North of England, refers to the northern part of England and mainly corresponds to the Historic counties of England, historic counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, County Durham, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmo ...
. In January 2014, Jeronimo published a book titled ''The Business in Show.'' In May 2016, Jeronimo joined the cast of the
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
medical drama ''
Casualty Casualty may refer to: *Casualty (person), a person who is killed or rendered unfit for service in a war or natural disaster **Civilian casualty, a non-combatant killed or injured in warfare * The emergency department of a hospital, also known as ...
'', playing the role of Steph Sims in three episodes between May and August that year. She played the mother of Carmel Sims, played by Jeronimo's daughter Sydney Wade. Jeronimo reprised her role as Steph Sims again in an August 2016 episode of ''
Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a Spin-off (media), spin-off from the established BBC medical drama '' ...
'', and a February 2017 episode of ''Casualty''.


Personal life

In August 2000, Jeronimo married Stuart Wade (born 1 August 1969,
Halifax, West Yorkshire Halifax is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. In the 15th century, the town became an economic hub of the old West Riding of Yorkshire, primarily in woo ...
) who played her on-screen husband
Biff Fowler Brian Ian Francis "Biff" Fowler is a fictional character from the British television soap opera ''Emmerdale'', played by Stuart Wade from 1994 until 1999. Wade reprised his role as Biff in 2005 in a one-off appearance for Seth Armstrong's (Sta ...
in ''
Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British television soap opera that is broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a List of fictional towns and villages, fict ...
'', in
Jersey Jersey ( ; ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, is an autonomous and self-governing island territory of the British Islands. Although as a British Crown Dependency it is not a sovereign state, it has its own distinguishing civil and gov ...
. Jeronimo has three children: a daughter named Sydney Wade, a daughter named Ava Dodds, and a son named Lorcan Alexander Dodds (commonly known as Lorcan Alexander). Her daughter Sydney is also an actress. All three children have had roles at the TLA Leeds: Sydney is a
LAMDA The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...
teacher and screen teaching assistant currently at the school; Ava is a current school ambassador for dance; and Lorcan is the former head of dance at the school. In 2017, she moved back to
Jersey Jersey ( ; ), officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, is an autonomous and self-governing island territory of the British Islands. Although as a British Crown Dependency it is not a sovereign state, it has its own distinguishing civil and gov ...
, to work with her sister Pippa Adams, who runs a youth acting company called Drama Lab. In 2018, she opened up a bar and restaurant called Ruby's Lounge and Bistro in
Saint Helier St Helier (; Jèrriais: ; ) is the Capital city, capital of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. It is the most populous of the twelve parishes of Jersey, with a population of 35,822, over one-third of the island' ...
. Her actress daughter Sydney works in the kitchen of Ruby's as a cook. In January 2020, she married Andrei Dobre, a Romanian, with whom she has one child.


Filmography


Television


References


External links

* * *
The T WordTonicha Lawrence Academy
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeronimo, Tonicha 1977 births Living people 20th-century British actresses 21st-century British actresses British soap opera actresses British television actresses British women police officers British people of Portuguese descent Jersey actresses West Yorkshire Police officers Actresses from Yorkshire