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Patricia Brooker

Patricia Brooker
Born
Patricia Joan Spicer

(1935-11-21)21 November 1935
Died16 December 2015(2015-12-16) (aged 80)
Other names
  • Nanny Pat
  • Pat Brooker
Education
  • Devons Road Infants' School
  • Southern Grove School
Occupation(s)Television personality, author, former publican
Years active1955–1995, 2010–2015
TelevisionThe Only Way Is Essex
Spouse
Charlie Brooker
(m. 1955; died 2007)
Children5, including Carol Brooker
Relatives
FamilyChipperfield (maternal)

Patricia Joan "Pat" Brooker (née Spicer; 21 November 1935 – 16 December 2015), known colloquially as Nanny Pat, was an English television personality, author and former publican. She was best known as a recurring cast member on the ITVBe reality television series The Only Way Is Essex (2010–2015).

Early life

Patricia Joan Spicer was born at St Andrew's Hospital in Bromley-by-Bow, East London,[1] England on 21 November 1935,[2][3] as the younger child[4] to Thomas John "Tom"[3] Spicer (1913–1987),[5][6] a painter,[7] and his wife,[8] Winifred Hermar "Win"[3] (née Chipperfield; 1911–1948),[9][10] a factory worker,[7] who was part of the family who ran Chipperfield's Circus.[11][12] She had an elder brother, Thomas John "Tommy"[3] Spicer (1932–2008).[13][14]

Brooker lived at 12 Bilberry House in Watts Grove for the first 20 years of her life.[15] She attended All Hallows, Bow[16] every Sunday morning with her mother. Her father would only attend if he had to.[17] Her mother died from rheumatic heart and kidney trouble[18] when her daughter was 12 years old, leaving her as head of the household to look after her father and brother.[1]

Brooker attended Sunday school in the afternoon.[17] She attended Devons Road Infants' School, a girls' primary school in Knapp Road.[19] Her headmistress was Clara Grant.[20] She attended Southern Grove School, an all girls' senior school.[21]

Brooker was evacuated to the countryside, somewhere in Derbyshire,[22] in February 1940,[23] during the Second World War. She was separated from her brother.[24] She returned to her parents in the late summer of 1940,[25] with her brother returning a week or so later.[26]

Pre-celebrity

Brooker began working in the Tate and Lyle sugar factory in Canning Town shortly after she returned from honeymoon.[27] She later worked in a newsagents.[28][29]

Brooker and her husband, Charlie, owned The Rising Sun pub at 199 St Leonards Street[30] in Bromley-by-Bow[31] from January 1968[30] until around Christmas in 1970.[32]

Brooker worked as a dinner lady at South Park Primary School[33] in Redbridge, from 1971[12] until she was forced to retire in 1995, aged 60.[34]

Career

Brooker made her debut on the first series of the ITV2 reality television series The Only Way Is Essex on 10 October 2010.[35] She became a fan favourite within hours of her first appearance.[36] She appeared as a supporting cast member until series 16, making her final appearance on the ITVBe Christmas special, The Only Way Is Essexmas, which was broadcast on the day she died; the end of the episode featured a tribute to her.[37] She also appeared on TOWIE Live and on an episode of The Only Way Is Essex: All Back to Essex in 2014. She appeared on 117 episodes.[35]

Brooker appeared on the final episode in the fifth series of the Channel 4 comedy chat show Alan Carr: Chatty Man on 21 February 2011.[38]

Brooker appeared on the television movie 50 Greatest Wedding Shockers. The documentary was broadcast on 23 April 2011.[39]

Brooker attended the 2011 British Academy Television Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London on 22 May.[40] Debenhams supplied her outfit.[41] The Only Way Is Essex won the YouTube Audience Award.[42]

Brooker appeared on the first episode in the sixth series of the ITV2 comedy panel game Celebrity Juice on 1 September 2011, as the "Newerer Magazine Head", during a challenge.[43]

Brooker appeared as a contestant on the final episode in the sixth series of the ITV game show All Star Family Fortunes. The episode, "Benidorm vs. The Only Way Is Essex", was broadcast on Christmas Day 2011.[44]

Brooker was a weekly interviewer for Love It! magazine from 2012 onwards. She had interviewed celebrities, including; Alex Reid, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Peter Andre,[45] Frankie Cocozza, and Jedward.[46]

Brooker appeared on four episodes of the ITV breakfast television programme Daybreak, during the run up to the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II through early February 2012. She was voted Britain's best grandmother while on the programme.[46]

Brooker wrote Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood (ISBN 9781447218753), her first autobiography, which was published by Pan[47] on 16 August 2012.[48]

Brooker appeared on the BBC Radio London programme Jeni Barnett on 26 August 2012, to promote her first autobiography.[49]

Brooker wrote Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan (ISBN 9781447218784), her second autobiography, which was published by Pan[47] on Valentine's Day 2013.[50]

Brooker appeared on the ITV daytime magazine programme This Morning on 21 February 2014.[51]

Brooker appeared on the Channel 5 spin-off Big Brother's Bit on the Side. Her episode was broadcast on 18 June 2014, in connection with the 15th series of Big Brother UK.[39]

Brooker appeared for Week 4 on series 12 of the BBC dance contest show Strictly Come Dancing on 18 October 2014. Her grandson, Mark, was partnered with Karen Hauer.[52]

Brooker appeared on the ITV breakfast television programme Good Morning Britain on 9 October 2015, just over two months prior to her death.[53]

Personal life

Spicer met her future husband, Charles Thomas "(Big) Charlie" Brooker (born 13 April 1930),[54][55][56][57] a council worker, in the autumn of 1953, when she was 17 and he was 22.[58] The couple were married at St Luke's Church, Canning Town[59] on 19 March 1955, when she was 19 and he was 24.[60][61][62][63] The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey, with some of her family.[64] They had five children together;[65] June P Lawrence[66] (née Brooker, formally Nicholls;[67] born 22 June 1956),[68][69][70] Susan J Bothwick[71] (née Brooker, formally Adams;[72] born 15 February 1959),[73][74] Carol Ellen Wright[75][76] (née Brooker; born 21 September 1960),[77][78] Stephen C Brooker[79] (born 3 September 1962),[80][81] and Charles T "(Little) Charlie" Brooker[82] (born 1963).[83] She had 14 grandchildren[84][27] and six great-grandchildren.[85] She was widowed on 28 June 2007, after 52 years of marriage.[86][87]

Brooker was 75 years old the first time someone asked for her autograph.[88] She smoked John Player Specials.[89]

Death

Brooker died in Dagenham, Greater London on 16 December 2015, following a short illness. She was 80.[90] Her death was announced in a statement by the Wright family, reading: "Sadly our amazing, courageous and beautiful Nanny Pat passed away this morning after a short illness. We are overwhelmed by sadness, and the whole family ask for privacy at this time."[91][1]

Tributes poured in from fans across the world. Her grandson, Mark, tweeted: "My heart is broken but so overwhelmed by your support. To know good ole Nanny was loved by so many is the best feeling in the world Thankyou".[92] Her granddaughter, Jess, tweeted: "Heart broken does not even come close to how my family & I are feeling. Thank you so much for your support my Nan was so loved ❤️ an angel".[93] Josh[94] and Natalya,[95] paid tribute via Instagram. A spokesperson for The Only Way Is Essex paid tribute, stating: "We are absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about our beloved Nanny Pat. Patricia had been at the heart of Towie from the very beginning and we will miss her terribly. Our thoughts are with the Wright family at this very sad time."[96]

Brooker's funeral service took place at South Essex Crematorium in Upminster on 8 January 2016. Her woven coffin was carried through the streets of Essex before she was finally laid to rest.[97] She left £437,855 in her will, which was divided equally between her five children.[98]

Filmography

Year Title Notes
2010–2015 The Only Way Is Essex 117 episodes
2011 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 1 episode
2011 50 Greatest Wedding Shockers
2011 Celebrity Juice 1 episode
2011 All Star Family Fortunes 1 episode
2012 Daybreak 4 episodes
2014 This Morning 1 episode
2014 Big Brother's Bit on the Side 1 episode
2014 The Only Way Is Essex: All Back to Essex 1 episode
2014 Strictly Come Dancing 1 episode
2015 Good Morning Britain 1 episode

Source(s): [39][99][100]

References

  1. ^ a b c Williamson, Marcus (27 December 2015). "Pat Brooker: Factory worker and pub landlady who found late celebrity on 'The Only Way Is Essex'". The Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  2. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: OCT 1935 1c 453 POPLAR — Patricia J Spicer
  3. ^ a b c d Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 9. ISBN 9781447218753.
  4. ^ "All Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish results for Spicer". Ancestry UK. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  5. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915: JAN 1913 1c 944 POPLAR — Thomas J Spicer
  6. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: JUN 1987 (aged 74) 14 941 TOWER HAMLETS — Thomas John Spicer
  7. ^ a b 1939 England and Wales Register
  8. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1932 1c 674 POPLAR — Thomas J Spicer = Winifred H Chipperfield
  9. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915: JUL 1911 1d 104 SOUTHWARK — Winifred H Chipperfield
  10. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007: APR 1948 (aged 36) 5d 192 POPLAR — Winifred H Spicer
  11. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 8. ISBN 9781447218753.
  12. ^ a b Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 93. ISBN 9781447218784.
  13. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1932 1c 446 POPLAR — Thomas J Spicer
  14. ^ England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2023: 8 DEC 2008 (aged 76) CITY OF LONDON — Thomas John Spicer
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  16. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 19. ISBN 9781447218753.
  17. ^ a b Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 46. ISBN 9781447218753.
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  25. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 31. ISBN 9781447218753.
  26. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 32. ISBN 9781447218753.
  27. ^ a b Westbrook, Caroline (16 December 2015). "TOWIE star Nanny Pat – grandmother of Mark and Jessica Wright – dies aged 80". Metro. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  28. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 245. ISBN 9781447218753.
  29. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 245. ISBN 9781447218784.
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  33. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 195. ISBN 9781447218784.
  34. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 194. ISBN 9781447218784.
  35. ^ a b Daniels, Colin (16 August 2012). "'TOWIE' Nanny Pat on fame: 'I can't go anywhere'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  36. ^ Cooper, Joel (15 December 2017). "Remembering Nanny Pat: A look back at her very best moments". Closer. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  37. ^ "The Only Way Is Essex dedicates tonight's Christmas special to Nanny Pat with 'In Memory' tribute". Digital Spy. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Alan Carr: Chatty Man - Episode Guide - Series 5". Channel 4. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
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  42. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 237. ISBN 9781447218784.
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  44. ^ "Here's a reason to watch All Star Family Fortunes - the TOWIE lot are on it". OK! Magazine. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
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  46. ^ a b Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 239. ISBN 9781447218784.
  47. ^ a b "Nanny Pat". Pan Macmillan. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  48. ^ Pat, Nanny (16 August 2012). "Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets". Pan Macmillan. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  49. ^ "Jeni Barnett". BBC. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  50. ^ Pat, Nanny (14 February 2013). "Queen of the Rising Sun". Pan Macmillan. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  51. ^ "Meet the TOWIE gang". ITVX. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  52. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (18 October 2014). "Nanny Pat turned up on Strictly Come Dancing and everybody got really excited". Metro. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  53. ^ McKay, Ken (9 October 2015). "'Good Morning Britain' TV Programme, London, Britain". Shutterstock Editorial. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  54. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: APR 1930 4a 316 WEST HAM — Charles T Brooker
  55. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 144. ISBN 9781447218753.
  56. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 145. ISBN 9781447218753.
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  59. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 165. ISBN 9781447218753.
  60. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JAN 1955 5a 1567 WEST HAM — Patricia J Spicer = Charles T Brooker
  61. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 164. ISBN 9781447218753.
  62. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 182. ISBN 9781447218784.
  63. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 211. ISBN 9781447218784.
  64. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 168. ISBN 9781447218753.
  65. ^ "All Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish results for Brooker". Ancestry UK. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  66. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: APR 1982 11 0135 BARKING & DAGENHAM — June P Nicholls = John S Lawrence
  67. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: OCT 1974 11 0023 BARKING — June P Brooker = Donald J Nicholls
  68. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1956 5a 802 WEST HAM — June P Brooker
  69. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 188. ISBN 9781447218753.
  70. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 190. ISBN 9781447218753.
  71. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JUL 1993 1 477 KENDAL — Susan J Adams = Derek Bothwick
  72. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JAN 1981 11 0009 BARKING & DAGENHAM — Susan J Brooker = Stephen Adams
  73. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JAN 1959 5a 966 WEST HAM — Susan J Brooker
  74. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 199. ISBN 9781447218753.
  75. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: JUL 1983 11 0021 BARKING & DAGENHAM — Carol E Brooker = Mark W Wright
  76. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 186. ISBN 9781447218784.
  77. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: OCT 1960 5a 964 WEST HAM — Carol E Brooker
  78. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 209. ISBN 9781447218753.
  79. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: MAY 1987 11 153 BARKING & DAGENHAM — Stephen C Brooker = Lynne Hollingsworth
  80. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1962 5a 1010 WEST HAM — Stephen C Brooker
  81. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 221. ISBN 9781447218753.
  82. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005: OCT 1991 11 3 BARKING & DAGENHAM — Charles T Brooket = Tracy A Eades
  83. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007: JUL 1963 5a 1100 WEST HAM — Charles T Brooker
  84. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 194. ISBN 9781447218784.
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  86. ^ England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2023: 28 JUN 2007 (aged 77) DAGENHAM — Charles Thomas Brooker
  87. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 216. ISBN 9781447218784.
  88. ^ Pat, Nanny (2012). Penny Sweets and Cobbled Streets: My East End Childhood. Pan Macmillan. p. 5. ISBN 9781447218753.
  89. ^ Pat, Nanny (2013). Queen of the Rising Sun: From Landlady of an East End Pub to Essex Nan. Pan Macmillan. p. 200. ISBN 9781447218784.
  90. ^ England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2023: 16 DEC 2015 DAGENHAM — Patricia Joan Brooker
  91. ^ "Towie's Nanny Pat dies after short illness". BBC News. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  92. ^ Wright, Mark (16 December 2015). "My heart is broken but so overwhelmed by your support. To know good ole Nanny was loved by so many is the best feeling in the world Thankyou". X (formally Twitter). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  93. ^ Wright, Jess (16 December 2015). "Heart broken does not even come close to how my family & I are feeling. Thank you so much for your support my Nan was so loved ❤️ an angel". X (formally Twitter). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  94. ^ Wright, Joshua (16 December 2015). "💔💔💔💔". Instagram. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  95. ^ Wright, Natalya (16 December 2015). "Last night I went to sleep wishing you was going to power through, Tonight I'm wishing you well in heaven back with grandad & the Angels. Nanny I love you always & forever X". Instagram. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
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  97. ^ Waring, Olivia (8 January 2016). "Michelle Keegan supports Mark Wright as Jess Wright sobs at Nanny Pat's funeral". Metro. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  98. ^ "TOWIE's Nanny Pat left over £430,000 in her will for her family". The Mirror. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
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