Sally Thomsett

Sally Thomsett (born 3 April 1950) is an English actress who starred as Phyllis in the film The Railway Children (1970) and played Jo in the TV sitcom Man About the House (1973–1976). She also appeared as Janice in the film Straw Dogs (1971) and Nemo in Baxter! (1973). Early life Thomsett was born in Plumpton in 1950 to Maurice and Dorothy Thomsett (née Joy) and had three older brothers. She grew up in nearby Brighton and attended the Elm Grove Infants and Juniors School. One of her brothers offered her five shillings to audition for The Max Bygraves Summer Show. After doing so successfully, she appeared in several pantomimes until she left secondary school to attend Phildene Stage School in London. Career Out of drama school, Thomsett made several films for the Children’s Film Foundation and appeared in many popular television series, including Theatre 625, Dixon of Dock Green, Nearest and Dearest and Z-Cars. She also starred as Jennifer Villiers in the comedy series The Very Merry Widow from 1967 to 1968 and also its spin-off The Very Merry Widow and How in 1969. The Railway Children Thomsett was cast as Phyllis in The Railway Children despite the character being 11 years old and Thomsett being 20 at the time of filming. Jenny Agutter, who played her elder sister Bobbie in the film, was two years younger than Thomsett. Thomsett was contractually forbidden to reveal her age during production, and was likewise not allowed to smoke, drink, drive a car, or be seen in public with her boyfriend. The film crew were unaware of her true age, and treated her as they would a child (e.g. by giving her sweets), while addressing the younger Agutter as they would an adult. During an appearance shortly afterwards on a BBC children's television programme, Thomsett was told, "I wouldn't dream of asking a lady her age, but you're obviously quite a bit older than the part you played in the film". She received a nomination for the BAFTA Film Award for Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.