Popular Monica loses battle with cancer

8:50am Wednesday 27th February 2008

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ONE of Bridport's most glamorous stage stars has lost a brave battle with cancer.

Monica Leighton, who was principal boy in the town's panto for many years, died, aged 67, after a long-fought illness.

She leaves a husband, retired builder Malcolm, 68, daughter Paula Ryan, deputy MD for a London advertising agency and a son Garry, who runs a local computer sales and repair business.

Born in Edgware, Mrs Leighton left school to work as a telephonist. She met her husband-to-be at an end-of-the-pier ball while on a trip to the Isle of Wight, discovering they lived just a few miles apart. They married 47 years ago. The couple followed Mr Leighton's father Ernest to Bridport, where he had bought land and they built their home on one of the sites, at West Walks in West Bay.

Mrs Leighton first worked at the Bull Hotel in the days when it was popular with jazz enthusiasts - featuring top names like Aker Bilk, George Melly and Monty Sunshine. She was one of a glamorous duo of barmaids, working alongside Pat Brooks for many years.

After a spell of providing bed and breakfast at their home, Mrs Leighton drove taxis for her husband's sister and brother in-law - Brenda and Gerry Gibbons, of Abacus. Her most famous fare was TV presenter Sir Robin Day.

Her most recent job was as receptionist at Nantes and Wyld, solicitors and building society agents, of East Street, where she quickly built up a friendly rapport with the many clients.

Her involvement with the stage came via daughter Paula who was a pupil at Bernard Gale's dance school. Mrs Leighton soon got involved in his pantos, taking a leading role in many shows.