Lesley J Saweard was born in Grimsby, Humberside, England in 1934,[1] as the younger of two[2] children to William Montague Saweard (1889–1977)[3][4] and Hilda Louisa Saweard (née Kiddle;[5] 1897–1997).[6] She has a elder sister, Barbara (born 1927).[7]
Saweard trained in elocution and drama, but, having lived near a small market town, had never thought of becoming a professional actress.[8]
Career
Saweard joined the cast of the BBC Home Serviceradiosoap operaThe Archers in 1953, as the voice of Christine Barford (born 21 December 1931), the sister of established character, Phil Archer. She had taken over the role from Pamela Mant. She left the serial in 1962 and the role of Christine was recast to Joyce Gibbs. She returned as Christine in 1968. She voiced Christine until her departure in 2019.[8]
Saweard worked as a provincial schoolteacher before being cast in The Archers.[8]
Personal life
Saweard met Geoffrey Lewis, an actor,[9][10] on the set of The Archers in 1954.[8] The couple married in Kensington, London in January 1956.[11] They had two[12] children together; Simon (born 1962)[13] and Sarah Jane (born 1967).[14] The couple remained married for 41 years until his death in 1997.[15][16]