Debbie Linden



Debbie Linden (February 22, 1961 - October 5, 1997) was a British glamour model and actress best known for her role as old Mr Grace's secretary in the sitcom Are You Being Served?(1981). Born in Glasgow, she played roles in various other TV series, such as The Professionals, Just Good Friends, Bergerac, and The Bill; she appeared in several feature films, among them The Wildcats of St Trinian's.

Linden was plagued with a drug problem for years. On the night of October 5, 1997, she died of a heroin overdose at home at the age of 36. Her boyfriend, Russell Ainsworth, was acquitted of manslaughter charges but sentenced to two-and-a-half years for supplying the drug.

Film credits

 * Home Before Midnight (1978; 'Carol')
 * The Wildcats of St. Trinian's (1980; 'Mavis')
 * Bloodbath at the House of Death (1984; 'Attractive girl')
 * Eat the Rich (1987; 'Layla')

TV credits

 * The Benny Hill Show (1978)
 * Dick Emery's Comedy Hour (1979)
 * The Professionals (1979; 'Bodie's Girl' in The Runner)
 * The Ghost Sonata (TV film) (1980; 'Milkmaid')
 * Cowboys (1980; 'Doreen')
 * The Jim Davidson Show (1981; episode 3.2)
 * Are You Being Served? (1981; 'old Mr Grace's secretary')
 * Don't Rock the Boat (TV series) (1982; 'Melanie' in It's Magic)
 * The Kenny Everett Television Show (1983; episode dated 26 December)
 * Just Good Friends (1984; 'Brenda')
 * The Kid (TV series) (1986; 'The blonde girl')
 * Bergerac (1991; 'Margie' in The Evil that Men Do)
 * The Bill (1994; 'Mrs Petty' in Ducking and Diving)