Elizabeth Estensen


Elizabeth Estensen is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Diane Sugden on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale since 1999. She has also made appearances in various British television series, including The Liver Birds and Coronation Street. Her surname comes from her Norwegian grandfather.

Career

Estensen played Susan in the film version of Willy Russell's play Our Day Out with Alun Armstrong. She rose to prominence in the 1970s, playing Bert's girlfriend in the Willy Russell musical John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool transferring to the West End in 1974. She then appeared on television as Carol Boswell in five series of The Liver Birds, from 1975 to 1979.
Estensen took the lead role of T-Bag in the children's television programme Wonders in Letterland, and went on to appear in a total of five series and two Christmas specials before leaving in 1989. She was replaced by Georgina Hale.
Estensen played Pam Middleton in Coronation Street between 1996 and 1998. From 1999 she has played a regular role as Diane Sugden in the soap opera Emmerdale for 20 years.
She married Philip Allen in May 1983. They have one child.

Television roles