Dame Sheila Hancock, 88, plans to leave a ‘huge amount’ of her fortune to charity

Dame Sheila Hancock has said she plans to leave a ‘huge amount’ of her fortune to a charity she founded in memory of her late husband, John Thaw.

The actress, 87, who set up the John Thaw Foundation after her husband died of oesophageal cancer in 2002, is hoping to leave the majority of her money to the charity in her will, where it’s ‘going to make a difference’. 

The Foundation helps disadvantaged and underprivileged youth in the form of small bursaries, affording them an opportunity they might not otherwise have. 

In an interview with The Mirror, Sheila said: ‘The bulk of what I leave will probably go to charity.

‘I want them [the John Thaw Foundation] to have a big lump sum for the work to continue after I’ve died.’

The BAFTA nominated actress has three daughters, all actresses, along with eight grandchildren and said they are all ‘happy’ with her decision to donate the family fortune. 

Sheila was made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to drama and charity. 

The philanthropist said: ‘Now I’ve been given this dameship… I’m going to use it to try and open as many doors as I can, certainly in the world of education.’

Speaking on an appearance of Loose Women last month, she told the panel: ‘The letter that came said you had to be a role model and that does worry me because I’m really not a role model. 

‘I’m really flattered I got it but I was given it by the country by the way, with the Queen’s approval – I’m surprised she didn’t turn it down. I’ve always been very passionate and campaigning and involved in stuff – too much so.’  

Sheila, who falls into the category of Brits who are classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ due to her age said that she’s ‘sick’ of being called ‘extremely vulnerable’ after being forced to spend weeks shielding due to the Covid pandemic. 

The star admitted that being at home has taken it toll, saying: ‘I’ve certainly aged hugely the last six months. I can that feel physically and mentally. 

‘I’ve had no one to bounce off. This is nice, but It’s not the same as having an argument face-to-face.

‘There’s a lot to be done for the world. I’m hoping out of this hideousness something good can come, and I want to be involved in that before I die. I want a better world.’

In her latest role, the screen veteran is set to star in ITV’s police drama Unforgotten’s upcoming fourth series as the acid-tongued Eileen.

Sheila said she enjoyed getting to play a more villainous character for a change saying: ‘Old people on television are usually depicted as pathetic or they die or they’re gentile, so it was nice to play someone vile.’