Patricia Bredin

Newland School for Girls (which Patricia attended), Cottingham Road, HU6 7RU

Patricia Bredin was born in 1934, growing up in West Hull. She attended Newland High School, and sang with Hull Operatic Society at the City Hall and other venues. The BBC spotted Patricia when she was singing at London’s Savoy Hotel, and chose her to sing the UK’s first ever entry in the Eurovision Song Contest – a love song called “All” – in 1957. At that time the contest was low key, with only ten countries entering; the UK came seventh. Patricia went on to have a career on stage and screen, becoming a regular in West End and Broadway musicals, including “Camelot”, playing opposite Richard Burton. She also acted in several British films, alongside the likes of Ian Carmichael and Sid James. In the 1960s, Patricia married singer Ivor Emmanuel; they were eventually divorced and she later married Canadian millionaire Charles MacCulloch, moving to a ranch in Nova Scotia. Charles died soon after and Patricia remained at the ranch.  

Eric Winter