The jokes came thick and fast as former EastEnder Tracy-Ann Oberman and comedy writer Ivor Baddiel helped Norwood raise £14,000 at its annual Ladies Lunch. The event was held at Haven Bistro & Bar in Whetstone High Road yesterday afternoon, and was organised by the Charity’s Food & Thought Committee. The popular venue generously sponsored the event, allowing all proceeds to go directly to the people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need, who receive vital support from Norwood.
Tracy-Ann is an accomplished television, radio and stage actress who is best known for playing femme fatale Chrissie Watts in the long-running BBC soap, while Ivor has penned more than a dozen books and writes extensively for television and radio. During a light-hearted discussion, the close friends talked about their own Jewish upbringings, their respective showbiz careers and their views on a range of topics.
Tracy-Ann, who grew up in Stanmore, joked: “If you don’t know me from any of my acting work, but think you know my face, then I probably went to school with your children or dated one of your sons.” Meanwhile, Ivor, who attended the North West London Jewish Day School and City of London School before studying at Manchester Polytechnic, quipped: “I then went travelling in India. It was like being an Israeli soldier without having to be in the army.”
The pair revealed how they met as part of a group of comedy writers who tried unsuccessfully to develop a Jewish version of the BBC comedy hit Goodness, Gracious Me, which they were planning to call From The People Who Brought You Jesus. Tracy-Ann also spoke about landing her part in EastEnders and how she immediately hit it off with actor Leslie Grantham, who played her on-screen husband ‘Dirty’ Den Watts. Meanwhile, Ivor described his work as a writer on a number of TV shows, including the recent series of X-Factor.
“I badgered Dermot O’Leary to go up to Stacey Solomon after her song in the final and say sh'koyach,” he said. “Unfortunately, when he asked her beforehand if this would be okay, a blank look confirmed that she didn’t know what he was talking about.”
Both were full of praise for Norwood and its work and, following the event, Tracy-Ann said: “Norwood and the life-changing services it provides are a vital lifeline to so many people in the community. Ivor and I were delighted to attend the Ladies Lunch and were pleased we could play a part in helping this incredible charity to continue enabling thousands of children, families and adults to change their lives each and every year.”
The event also featured a raffle, with prizes including a fabulous Mi Mi Milloe handbag, a personal shopping experience, £100 in professional hair care products and a free hair consultation, and a Swarovski crystal bracelet.
Ingrid Segal, a member of the Food and Thought Committee, said: “Tracy-Ann and Ivor were a brilliant double act, and we are extremely grateful for their support. They provided us with plenty of entertainment and helped to make the event an incredible success.
“I’d also like to thank everyone at the Haven for sponsoring the event, to everyone who donated raffle prizes, and to our guests for helping us to raise so much money. Thanks to their support, Norwood can continue to provide support to thousands of people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need, each year, helping them to improve the quality of their lives and achieve their goals.”
