Born Margaret Rose Mount in Essex, England, she went to work as a secretary in her early teens after the death of her father, despite her early desire to enter the theatre. It would be almost 15 years before she landed a role with the Hanson Players, when she played the part of an eccentric guest in 'The Sleeping Prince.' She stayed with the company for three years, and became known for her imposing and impressive voice. She originated one of her best known roles, the formidable battleaxe, Emma Hornett, in 'Sailor Beware' with her repertory troupe in 1953, and reprised the role on the West End, the role making her a star. She made her film debut in the screen version a year later: it was known as 'Panic in the Parlor' in the US. In 1958 she appeared in 'The Adventures of Mr. Pastry' on British television, before appearing as another popular harridan role in 'The Larkins' that same year on ITV. In 1960 she tackled Shakespeare at the Old Vic, taking the role of the Nurse in 'Romeo and Juliet' to excellent reviews. For the next two decades she split her time between the stage and various television series which included 'Winning Widows' from 1961 to 1962, the 1966 to 1968 series 'George and the Dragon,' and 'Lollipop Loves Mr Mole' from 1971 to 1972. Additionally she appeared in such films as 'The Naked Truth' in 1957, 'Ladies Who Do' in 1963, and 'Oliver!' in 1968. In the 1980s she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and much of her later work was on stage, although she did appear in the cult television series, 'Doctor Who' in 1988's 'The Greatest Show in the Galaxy' episode. In 1996 she was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to her art. In her later years she lost her sight, forcing her retirement, and later suffered a series of strokes. She died at an actors' retirement home in Northwood, Middlesex at the age of 86.