Marlene Sidaway

Marlene Sidaway (born 1937) is a British television, film, and theatre actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Brenda Taylor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street. Sidaway was born in Thornaby-on-Tees in the North Riding of Yorkshire. After leaving school, she trained as an adding-machine operator before pursuing a career in acting. She studied at the East 15 Acting School in London and began her acting career with Brian Way's Theatre Centre, touring schools across the country. Sidaway has also worked extensively in repertory theatre and has appeared in various radio and television productions. Some of her notable stage roles include Mrs Purdy in D.H. Lawrence's The Daughter-in-Law, Mrs Wilberforce in The Ladykillers, and Miriam in Ghassan Kanafani's Returning to Haifa.