Daphne Oxenford

Daphne Margaret du Grivel Oxenford (31 October 1919 – 21 December 2012) was an English actress known for her early stage roles, and later her radio and television work. She gained recognition as the voice of BBC radio's Listen with Mother from 1950 to 1971. Oxenford portrayed spinster Esther Hayes in the original cast of Coronation Street, alongside other notable roles like Mrs Plummer in Man About the House (1973), Alice Dutton in EastEnders (1990), and Mrs. Oldknow in the mini-series The Children of Green Knowe (1986). Born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, she began her acting career at thirteen and trained at the Embassy School of Acting in North London. Oxenford contributed to the war effort by working in censorship while performing in revues during World War II.