There were two Barbara Shelleys – the beautiful and vivacious film star, known to thousands of adoring film fans, and the warm, loving and caring friend to those close to her.

Barbara started her career as a model and made the move into acting when a one month holiday in Italy blossomed into a four-year stay, during which she starred in nearly two dozen films. Returning home in the mid-fifties she began to establish herself with the UK film industry, appearing in the lead role of Leonora in ‘Cat Girl’ in 1957 and as Kate in ‘Camp On Blood Island’ in 1958. The same year saw her appear as Madeleine in ‘Blood Of The Vampire’, just before her long association with Hammer began. She starred in such classics as ‘Dracula Prince of Darkness’, ‘Rasputin’ (both with Christopher Lee) and ‘Quatermass and the Pit’. Away from Hammer, she played opposite George Sanders in ‘Village of the Damned’ and made numerous small screen appearances in such cult shows as 'The Saint', 'Danger Man', ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Blake’s 7’. Barbara's stage career also included appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1975 to 1977.

Barbara was a wonderful friend. She was extremely loyal and always had time for those who had problems. Barbara always made it clear to those who needed a caring listener that they could call at any time of the day or night. She was a calming influence who was always able to offer words of comfort and support.

Barbara was a practising and devout Roman Catholic. After a long period of absence, she returned to the church and continued to be an active part of it for the rest of her life. Her faith was of enormous importance to her and fortified her through some of the difficult times she experienced in later years.

Barbara supported many charities over the years, including Smile Train, a charity supporting children born with cleft palates, and Emmaus, a charity whose goal is to end homelessness. At film fairs and signing events, Barbara would always have a separate collection for those charities and encouraged fans to make a donation.

Please leave your thoughts and memories here for others to see. Let’s all take time to share our love and affection for this extraordinary lady who did so much to brighten our lives. There is so much we will miss about her.