Pauline McLynn

Early life

McLynn was born in Sligo, and grew up in Galway. She studied History of Art and Modern English at Trinity College, Dublin, but was more heavily involved in the college's drama society. She graduated with an MA.

Acting career

Although McLynn was in her early thirties when playing Mrs Doyle, makeup was used to make her look far older to fit the character's profile. She received a British Comedy Award for her performances in 1996. The award was presented to her by Tony Blair.

Other televised appearances have been in sketches on Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and numerous panel shows, including Just a Minute, Have I Got News for You, and If I Ruled the World. In 1999, she appeared in the film adaptation of Angela's Ashes. She has also appeared in Jennifer Saunders' Jam & Jerusalem. Between 2001 and 2003 she was recruited to play Mrs Doyle for a UK advert for online Tax returns by the Inland Revenue.

McLynn was critically acclaimed for her performance in the 2005 film Gypo, receiving an Irish Film and Television Award nomination for Best Actress.

McLynn appeared in Shameless, which was produced by the British broadcaster Channel 4, as Libby Croker. In January 2011 it was announced that she had left the show, reportedly after a "difficult year". McLynn also played the role of Alice's mother in the Comedy Central show Threesome.

McLynn played Mary Whyte in the BBC's 2013 sitcom Father Figure.

In 2014 McLynn played the part of Evelyn, Sandra's sister in Pramface, BBC comedy. This was the episode named 'Kiss For The Camera' featured in series 3 of the programme.

On 12 May 2014, McLynn joined the cast of EastEnders as Yvonne Cotton, the mother of Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and ex-daughter-in-law of Dot Branning (June Brown). After starting as a recurring character, McLynn quickly became a regular when her character's storylines escalated. She made her final appearance on 13 January 2015, at the end of her contract. However, McLynn returned to the soap opera on 14 May 2015 for one single episode to give evidence against Dot during Nick Cotton's (John Altman) murder trial.

Writing career

McLynn is the author of ten novels: The Woman on the Bus, Right on Time, Better than a Rest, Something for the Weekend, Summer in the City, Bright Lights and Promises, Missing You Already, The Time is Now, Jenny Q, Stitched Up and Jenny Q, Unravelled.

Personal life

McLynn is married to theatrical agent Richard Cook. She is a patron of the children's charity World Vision Ireland and is president of Friends of Innisfree Housing Association. She is also a patron for Littlehill Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Ireland.

McLynn is a fan of the Championship football team Aston Villa. She says her best moment supporting Villa came in 1996 when she watched them beat Leeds United in the Football League Cup final with her Father Ted co-star Ardal O'Hanlon, who is a Leeds supporter.