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The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Pik-Sen Lim obituary
The Malaysian Chinese actor Pik-Sen Lim, who has died of cancer aged 81, was one of the most recognised east Asian faces on British television and, despite being cast in stereotypical roles during her early decades on screen, enjoyed a 60-year career. Her highest-profile part came as the Chinese student Chung Su-Lee learning English at an adult education college in the ITV series Mind Your Language (1977-79). For Lim, taking a leading part in a successful sitcom – which attracted up to 18 million viewers – was a double-edged sword. 'I was forced to say 'flom' instead of 'from' and 'evely' for 'every',' she said. 'It was pretty corny. I had to learn pidgin English.' The programme was broadcast in an era when television sitcom was prone to amplify racial stereotypes. Alongside an Italian chef, Spanish bartender, Greek shipping agency worker, Japanese electronics expert, French au pair, a Sikh, a Muslim and other students of English as a second language, and with Barry Evans starring as Jeremy Brown, their teacher, Su-Lee was the Chinese embassy secretary, a dedicated communist and kung-fu enthusiast, always carrying around Mao Zedong's Little Red Book and quoting his anti-western sentiments. Michael Grade, then an ITV executive, commissioned Mind Your Language, but dropped it after three series, admitting it was racist. 'It was really irresponsible of us to put it out,' he said. Nevertheless, the sitcom was revived by other executives for a further series in 1986, although Lim did not reprise her role and not all ITV regional companies screened it. Soap operas had a much better record of representing members of minority-ethnic communities. Shortly after leaving drama school, Lim had an early opportunity to portray what is believed to be the first Chinese nurse on British television. She joined Emergency – Ward 10 in 1964 as Kwei-Kim Yen, a staff nurse at Oxbridge general hospital, who had a relationship with a doctor and stayed until the final episode in 1967. On leaving the serial, she appeared in the sitcom Sorry I'm Single (1967) as Suzy, a Chinese student from Hong Kong, one of three women living in a bedsit in a converted Hampstead house that was also home to an eternal student played by Derek Nimmo. Later came regular roles in Spearhead (1978-81) as a soldier's wife, and the short-lived soap Albion Market (1985-86) as Ly Nhu Chan, a Vietnamese stallholder selling wickerwork and baskets. She was born Lim Phaik Seng in George Town, Penang (then in British Malaya, and now part of Malaysia), during the second world war when it was occupied by Japanese forces. Her mother, Tan Siew Chin, was from a poor local family, while her father, Lim Cheng Teik, of Chinese origin, owned a successful rice mill. During her postwar childhood, Lim attended the Light Street convent school, where she was known as 'Pixi', and she was entranced by black-and-white films and visits to Teochew operas. She mounted her own productions in the family's dining room, acting with her brother, two sisters and cousins in front of relatives and neighbours. Lim's parents had plans for her to study at Cambridge University, with the aim of a career in law or accountancy, but she shocked them by dropping the bombshell that she was leaving home at the age of 16 to train at the Lamda drama school in London. She lived with her brother and changed her name from Phaik Seng to Pik-Sen Lim: 'My English friends were calling me 'fake' and I told myself, 'This just won't do.'' Her professional stage debut came in Euripides's Greek tragedy The Bacchae (Mermaid theatre, 1964) and she starred in the East German TV drama The Girl from the Jungle (1964), about Malaya's struggle for independence. In 1968, after her run in Emergency – Ward 10 ended, she married one of its scriptwriters, Don Houghton, who later created the Scottish soap Take the High Road. Houghton wrote the 1971 Doctor Who serial Mind of Evil, in which Lim played Captain Chin Lee, a member of the Chinese delegation at a world peace conference who, coming under the power of the Time Lord's arch-enemy, the Master, heightens tensions with the US. Lim also translated some lines into the Chinese language of Hokkien for a conversation between a delegate and Jon Pertwee, as the Doctor. While amassing dozens of one-off character parts on television, Lim appeared in half a dozen films. Her roles included an assistant to the Thought Factory boss acted by Bette Davis in Madame Sin (1972); the wife of an Asian diplomat (played by Burt Kwouk) in Plenty (1985), starring Meryl Streep; and a performance alongside Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English Reborn (2011) that led one critic to note that the 'best of the physical shtick here is the recurring appearance of an Asian granny called 'the killer cleaner' (Pik-Sen Lim), whose vacuum sweeper comes with an array of lethal attachments, including a chainsaw'. Her later TV parts included Aladdin's mother in the mini-series Arabian Nights (2000) and the regular roles of Chien, another student of English as a second language, in This Way Up (2019-21) and Queen Marina in the boarding school fantasy Vampire Academy (2022). She also voiced Grandma in the animated children's series Luo Bao Bei (2018). Lim and her husband were divorced shortly before his death in 1991. She is survived by their daughter, the actor Sara Houghton, a granddaughter, Phoebe, and her sister Quee Lin Lim. Pik-Sen Lim (Lim Phaik Seng), actor, born 15 September 1943; died 9 June 2025
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Doctor Who and Mind Your Language star Pik-Sen Lim dies aged 80
British actress Pik-Sen Lim, best known for her roles on shows including Doctor Who and Mind Your Language, has died aged 80. Born in British Malaya in 1944, Lim migrated to Britain when she was just 16 to pursue an acting career. Her first screen credit came a few years later when, in 1964, she played a nurse in the hospital drama Emergency Ward 10. It was on the set of this show that she also met scriptwriter Don Houghton, whom she married in 1968 and went on to have daughter Sara Houghton, also an actress, with. In 1971 Lim played Chin Lee in the Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil, which was written by her husband. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The actress also went on to appear in the first three seasons of the sitcom Mind Your Language. However, it's now been announced that the actress died earlier this month. Paying tribute to Lim, actor Daniel York Loh wrote on Instagram: 'An iconic figure in so many ways, I'd seen her on TV in Mind Your Language amongst other things when I was a kid… 'She was so affectionate, so witty, so brilliantly scabrous and absolutely honest about the rubbish this industry deals actors of our heritage – unlike a fair few others who actually try and cape it. 'We'll miss you so much but thank you, Pixi, for blessing our lives with your unique presence.' Meanwhile director Barnaby Edwards shared: 'My abiding memory of Pik-Sen 'Call me Pixie' Lim is of the utter delight she inspired in those of us lucky enough to work with her. 'She was acting alongside her daughter, Sara, and their relationship was a joy to behold: Sara was the responsible adult; Pixie, the naughty child. 'And nowhere was this mischief more in evidence than during the wildtrack session at the end of the day.' More Trending Other notable roles throughout Lim's career came in Albion Market, Night and Day, Arabian Nights, The Bill, Little Britain, This Way Up and Vampire Academy. She also played the killer cleaner in the 2011 film Johnny English Reborn, while her last screen credit came in an episode of the American science fiction drama The Nevers in 2023. Lim was also known for being the narrator of the Dark Souls video game series. View More » According to the British Film Institute, Lim was 'the most familiar Chinese actor on British television screens in the 1970s and 80s.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: TV chef Anne Burrell who 'touched millions across the world' dies aged 55 MORE: 'Devastated' Ariana Grande announces the death of beloved family member MORE: Kim Woodburn's heartfelt message to fans in final video before her death
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Doctor Who star Pik-Sen Lim dead aged 80 as tributes paid to icon
Doctor Who actress Pik-Sen Lim has passed away aged 80. Pik-Sen rose to fame as Chung Su-Lee in 1970s comedy Mind Your Language but was best known for her appearance in Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil, The Mirror reports. Sharing his heartbreak over her death, actor Daniel York Loh paid tribute on Instagram and wrote: "An iconic figure in so many ways, I'd seen her on TV in Mind Your Language amongst other things when I was a kid.' "She was so affectionate, so witty, so brilliantly scabrous and absolutely honest about the rubbish this industry deals actors of our heritage - unlike a fair few others who actually try and cape it. "We'll miss you so much but thank you, Pixi, for blessing our lives with your unique presence." Pik-Sen was born in British Malaya, now Malaysia, moving to Britain at 16 to pursue a career in acting. She had been the daughter of the palm oil millionaire Lim Cheng-Teik and was nicknamed 'Pixie' at the convent school she attended in Penang. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Her family had not been supportive of her acting dream, but in the 60s she began acquiring roles in shows such as Emergency Ward 10, in which she played a nurse. During this time, she also met her husband, scriptwriter Don Houghton, who she married in 1968. She went on to appear in Her husband's scripted Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil in 1971. Pik-Sen also starred in three seasons of sitcom Mind Your Language, during which she spoke in an exaggerated Chinese accent. Pik-Sen also starred in Albion Market (1985) and Night and Day (2003), Arabian Nights (2000), The Bill (2005) and even Little Britain as a side character alongside David Walliams and Matt Lucas.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Doctor Who star dies as co-stars pay tearful tributes to 'witty' actress
Actress Pik-Sen Lim has died aged 80. Pik-Sen rose to fame as Chung Su-Lee in 1970s comedy Mind Your Language but was best known for her appearance in Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil. Sharing his heartbreak over her death, actor Daniel York Loh paid tribute on Instagram and wrote: "An iconic figure in so many ways, I'd seen her on TV in Mind Your Language amongst other things when I was a kid.' "She was so affectionate, so witty, so brilliantly scabrous and absolutely honest about the rubbish this industry deals actors of our heritage - unlike a fair few others who actually try and cape it. "We'll miss you so much but thank you, Pixi, for blessing our lives with your unique presence." Pik-Sen was born in British Malaya, moving to Britain at 16 to pursue a career in acting. She had been the daughter of the palm oil millionaire Lim Cheng-Teik and was nicknamed 'Pixie' at the convent school she attended in Penang. * This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror 's WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, AppleNews, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Doctor Who and Mind Your Language star dies at the age of 80 as pals share their emotional tributes
Actress Pik-Sen Lim has died at the age of 80. The actress was best known for her role in Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil, and rose to fame playing Chung Su-Lee in the 1970s comedy Mind Your Language. Pik-Sen was previously described by the British Film Institute as 'the most recognisable Chinese actor on British television throughout the 1970s and '80s.' Born in British Malaya to to Malayan Chinese parents, Pik-Sen moved to England to pursue an acting career at the age of 16. After landing her breakout role in Mind Your Language, Pik-Sen Lim went on to appear in several TV shows, including Doctor Who. She also appeared in Coronation Street and Spearhead, as well as American series Vampire Academy and The Nevers. Pik-Sen also played the Killer Cleaner in the 2011 film Johnny English Reborn. Actor Daniel York Loh paid tribute to the star on Instagram, writing on Instagram: 'An iconic figure in so many ways, I'd seen her on TV in Mind Your Language amongst other things when I was a kid.' 'She was so affectionate, so witty, so brilliantly scabrous and absolutely honest about the rubbish this industry deals actors of our heritage - unlike a fair few others who actually try and cape it.
