Who was Dale Winton’s mum Sheree, when was her death from suicide and how young was he when his dad died?
Sheree Winton battled depression and raised Dale alone following the death of the TV host's father Gary
DALE Winton’s incredible career in front of the cameras was in stark contrast to his troubled upbringing.
Let’s take a look at the late star’s childhood.
Who was Dale's mum Sheree?
Sheree Winton was a pretty and glamorous actress, born November 4, 1935, in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
She who raised Dale alone after his father Gary died.
She appeared in Bond film Thunderball, starring Sean Connery, as a woman at Café Martinique.
She also played Yvonne in two episodes of Frankie Howerd and appeared in the film Dentist in the Chair.
Dale told The Times: “My mum came from a very poor background, and she dragged herself up by her own bootstraps.”
Dale said: “Her showbiz career said less about her than the fact that she did her own divorce. I used to come home and she’d be sitting there with books looking for precedent in legal documents from years gone by!
“And I’m thinking: study. So I’ve always been a grafter!”
He also kept his sexuality a secret, only coming out as gay at the age of 47, never even confessing his feelings to his mother.
The star said he never had to come out to Sheree as she heard him speaking on the phone to his ex, who he said was “very obviously gay, very camp”.
But his mother’s reaction to Dale’s relationship caused him further upset and even made him flee the home.
He said: “I thought, ‘Oh God, she doesn’t like him being gay, and if you follow it through, she’s hateful of me being gay.’
When did Sheree die?
Dale’s actress mum Sheree Winton died on May 29, 1976, aged 40.
She battled depression and took her own life just days after Dale turned 21.
In his autobiography, the TV host revealed the heartache he suffered following his mother’s death which led to him to call charity The Samaritans.
He wrote: “I had some really desperate personal moments soon after Mum died.
“On one occasion, I telephoned The Samaritans and went to see one of their volunteers.
“Whatever people say to comfort one, suicide is chiefly thought of as the ultimate rejection of loved ones, as well as of life, and those who are left need time to get beyond these thoughts.”
How young was Dale when his father died?
Dale's father Gary, a Jewish furniture salesman, died three years after he divorced Sheree on the day of his son's bar mitzvah.
TV personality Dale was born on May 22, 1955, in London's Marylebone.
There has been no confirmation as to how the beloved presenter died.
Long-term agent Jan Kennedy announced the star's death on April 18: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today.
"While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief."
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