Julie Stevens

Julie Stevens (born Julia Bullas; 20 December 1936) is an English actress, presenter and singer, best known in Britain for her appearances on children's television. Acting career Stevens was born in Prestwich and attended Stand Grammar School. She trained as a nurse at Manchester Royal Infirmary, after starting her television career as a comedienne in TV show Bid for Fame. She was a regular on Play School and Play Away, and provided vocals for the schools television series Look and Read. During the 1962–63 season she played Venus Smith, an occasional partner of John Steed in the TV series, The Avengers, alternating with Honor Blackman's Cathy Gale. Venus was a nightclub singer, and each of her appearances included at least one musical number. She appeared in only six episodes, and Stevens is not usually included in the list of "Avengers girls". In 1964, Stevens appeared in the British comedy film Carry On Cleo playing the slave girl Gloria. She also co-starred with Denise Coffey in the 1969–71 ITV comedy series Girls About Town, and appeared in the children's historical comedy series Cabbages and Kings (1972) alongside Johnny Ball and Derek Griffiths.