Statue of Dame Gracie Fields unveiled by Roy Hudd in Rochdale Town Centre

Date published: 18 September 2016

The bronze statue of Dame Gracie Fields was  unveiled by Roy Hudd, President of the Music Hall Association.

Roy, who had known Gracie for many years, said: “It was very important for me to be here as Gracie meant a lot to me; she’s one of my heroines.

“Even though she died a long time ago, everyone wanted to be close to the statue.

“She was an amazing lady. You needed so many elements to give a performance like her, and it’s all right there in that pose with her holding out her dress. It really captures what she was about.

“Her story is the Cinderella story of all time: she went from the fish and chip shop on Molesworth Street to a world famous superstar in Capri.”

Statue of Dame Gracie Fields
Members of Gracie's family with Sean Hedges-Quinn, Mayoress Elaine Dutton, Mayor Ray Dutton, Sebastian Lassandro and Roy Hudd

Several members of Gracie’s family were present as were Mayor Ray Dutton and Mayoress Elaine Dutton, sculptor, Sean Hedges-Quinn, Sebastian Lassandro, Founder and President of the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society.

A choir of over 50 people performed renditions of ‘Sally’, ‘Sing As We Go’ and ‘Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye’ as the statue was revealed. The choir was formed specially for the unveiling, made up of members from existing choirs in addition to those who do not sing as part of a choir.

Sue Devaney, who portrayed Gracie in ‘Our Gracie’ at the Oldham Colosseum Theatre, joined forces with Robyn Wallace and her accordion to perform ‘Thing-ummy-bob’ in the shadow of Gracie’s statue.

Sue Devaney and Robyn Wallace

Sue Devaney and Robyn Wallace perform

Gracie’s niece, Melanie Stansfield, travelled from Bournemouth to see the statue of her aunt. She said: “It was fabulous to honour her in this way.

“She would speak to everyone on the shore in Capri and she loved to put smiles on people’s faces.”

Councillor Janet Emsley, said: “We’re very proud to have been part of the process to bring Gracie back to Rochdale.”

The unveiling even attracted fans from outside the Borough, as one fan, Valerie Worthing, had travelled from Birmingham to witness the historic moment.

“I’ve been a fan of Gracie’s ever since I bought ‘Our Gracie’ from a record shop on Stretford Road.

“I found out about the statue when I was looking for the film ‘Keep Smiling’ and had to come.”

The statue complements the Gracie Fields Purple Plaque Trail; a series of eight plaques located in key places associated with Gracie.

The statue was commissioned by Rochdale Borough Council with Rochdale East Rotary and the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society.

Statue of Dame Gracie Fields unveiled by Roy Hudd

The choir performing Sally

Revealing the statue of Dame Gracie Fields - the choir performing Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye
©Rochdale Online