British entertainer Julie Stevens, known for her acting, presenting, and vocal talents, has died after a three-year struggle with health issues. The actress, known for her roles in the classic television series The Avengers and the Carry On films, died at the age of 87.
Julie became an iconic figure on children’s television throughout the ’60s and ’70s, especially noted for her role as Venus Smith in six episodes of The Avengers from 1962 to 1963, and as Gloria in the 1964 classic Carry On Cleo. Her illustrious career maintained her place in the public eye up until the early 2000s.
Her passing was reportedly confirmed by her daughter Rachel, and subsequently shared with fans through the Legends of Kids TV social media page. The announcement read: “Julie Stevens. I received this from her daughter Rachel. It’s with great sadness I let you know that Julie died on Thursday, after a difficult 3 years with Parkinson’s. Thankfully it was very peaceful at the end.”
The Telegraph reports that Rachel said her mum will be remembered for her “joyful spirit, her ability to make every child feel seen, and her lasting legacy in the world of children’s television.”
The family also spoke to The Sun about the challenges faced following her Parkinson’s diagnosis, stating: “[Julie] faced it as she did all challenges, with good humour and great charm. [She] will be remembered for her joyful spirit, her ability to make every child feel seen, and her lasting legacy in the world of children’s television.”
Julie graced children’s television screens in 1965 with Play School – which she worked on for 14 years – and went on later to narrate Watch With Mother in 1967. She remained active in the industry through the ’70s, with roles in shows like Girls About Town and Cabbages And Kings, and featured in Look And Read during the ’80s, reports the Mirror.
Her most recent TV appearance was in BBC’s Holby City in 2001, where she played Pat Fitzjohn. Speaking about her time on Play School, Julie told Showreel: “I knew Rick Jones from the Library Theatre in Manchester and the Play School producers asked him if he knew anyone to work on the new programme and he told them that he had this ‘nutty friend’ so I was invited in for an audition.
“I sang, made something out of a box and read two made-up stories about Billy the Beacon and Zoe the Zebra Crossing. I was heavily pregnant with my first child, Daniel, who was born on the 12th April 1964 and so watched the very first programme whilst in the maternity ward of the Hammersmith Hospital.”
After spending some time living in France, she returned to the UK in 2017 to be closer to family. Speaking about her death, author Rodney Marshall said on X: “Sad to hear that the very first Avengers girl – Julie Stevens – has passed away. She played nightclub singer and reluctant Steed helper Venus Smith & was in the very first episode my dad wrote. Stevens sung as well as acted in each of her six episodes, each recorded ‘as live’.”