Freeman role for Josie Lawrence (From Halesowen News)

Freeman role for Josie Lawrence

3:26pm Wednesday 24th November 2010 in Local

Actress Josie Lawrence

AWARD-winning Old Hill actress Josie Lawrence is set to become a Freeman of the Borough of Sandwell.

The 51-year-old actress who now lives in Hackney in London, is regularly seen in the town where her family still live.

Best known for her comedy performances in the hit series Whose Line Is It Anyway? she was more recently in EastEnders where she played the part of Amanda Best.

Josie, who is also a recognised stage actress, started her career at the Barlow Theatre in Oldbury where she is a patron.

She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company where in the 1990s she received the Dame Peggy Ashcroft award for best actress.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "Josie is a superb actress and she always remembers that her roots are in Sandwell.

"It will be an honour that is richly deserved."

The actress is also well-known for her considerable charity work where she has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for breast cancer research and to provide help for children suffering from autism and special needs.

During her career she has received honorary doctorates from Dartington, the University of Wolverhampton and Aston University.

Josie said: "I was delighted and thrilled to be told about this. It is something that I will treasure.

"My only regret is that my dad, Bert, who died 11 years ago, will not be here to see me get this honour."

She will be the 11th Honorary Freeman of Sandwell and the second actress to be given the honour. In 2004, Smethwick-born actress Julie Walters was made an honorary freeman alongside Oldbury-born comedian Frank Skinner and former WBA favourite Cyrille Regis.

The recommendation to make Josie a freeman will be discussed by members of the general purposes committee next week.

If approved it is likely a ceremony will take place in January.