Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is an English actress and singer. Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Birds Eye frozen peas. She went on to appear in films such as The Great Gatsby (1974), Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), Hennessy (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). Balancing a dual career as both an actress and a singer, in 1983 Kensit formed and became the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder. The group released several singles, including the top 20 hits "I'm Not Scared" and "Cross My Heart", before disbanding in 1989. Kensit achieved further success in her breakthrough role as Suzette in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) and as Rika van den Haas in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) before starring in the films Blue Tornado (1991), Timebomb (1991), Twenty-One (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Bitter Harvest (1993), Full Eclipse (1993), Angels & Insects (1995), Love and Betrayal (1995) and Grace of My Heart (1996).
Following a return to television, between 2004 and 2006, Kensit played the role of Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale and then that of Faye Morton in the BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2007 to 2010, and again for an episode in 2019. Throughout 2023, she played Emma Harding in EastEnders. Kensit has been married to musicians Dan Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher and Jeremy Healy. Kensit was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Hanover Street (1979). In 1991, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Twenty-One (1991), and later had several nominations for her role in Emmerdale.
Patricia Jude Francis Kensit was born on 4 March 1968, at the General Lying-In Hospital, Lambeth, to James and Margaret Rose (née Doohan). Kensit's maternal grandparents hailed from County Leitrim, Ireland. She has an older brother. Her mother was a secretary at Dior and former model, who had previously dated Aga Khan IV, while Kensit's father was a close associate of both the Kray Twins and the Richardson Gang, earning himself the nickname "Jimmy the Dip", and was involved in the Great Train Robbery. He served time in prison before Kensit was born and used a cover as an antiques dealer. Kensit's godfather was Reggie Kray. Her paternal grandfather was a robber and counterfeiter. Kensit spent her childhood living on a council estate in Hounslow and had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. She attended Newland House School, St Catherine's School, Twickenham, and Corona Theatre School.
Known For
A Gangster's Kiss
Crassus
2024
Renegades
Judy Carver
2022
The Magic Door
Rachel
2007
The Children's Party at the Palace
The Grand High Witch (The Witches)
2006
Played
Cindy
2006
Who's Your Daddy?
Heather McKay
2004
Dark Side
Vicki
2003
Strange Frequency²
Angie (segment 'Soul Man')
2003
Shelter Island
Alexandria 'Alex'
2003
The One and Only
Stella
2002
Bad Karma
Maureen Hatcher / Agnes
2002
Loves Music, Loves To Dance
Darcy Scott
2001
Things Behind the Sun
Denise
2001
Best
Anna
2000
The Pavilion
Clara Huddlestone
2000
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Julia
1999
Speedway Junky
Donna
1999
Human Bomb
Marcia Weller
1998
Grace of My Heart
Cheryl Steed
1996
Tunnel Vision
Kelly Wheatstone
1995
At the Midnight Hour
Elisabeth Guiness
1995
Angels and Insects
Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
1995
Dream Man
Kris Anderson
1995
Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story
Mia Farrow
1995
Full Eclipse
Casey Spencer
1993
Bitter Harvest
Jolene
1993
Adam Bede
Hetty Sorrel
1992
Does This Mean We're Married?
Deena
1992
Blame It on the Bellboy
Caroline Wright
1992
The Turn of the Screw
Jenny
1992
Prince of Shadows
Rebeca
1991
Twenty-one
Katie
1991
Blue Tornado
Isabella
1991
Timebomb
Dr. Anna Nolmar
1991
Bullseye!
Sick Lady on Train
1990
Chicago Joe and the Showgirl
Joyce Cook
1990
Kill Cruise
Su
1990
A Chorus of Disapproval
Linda Washbrook
1989
Lethal Weapon 2
Rika Van Den Haas
1989
Arms and the Man
Louka - maid
1989
Don Bosco
Lina
1988
Absolute Beginners
Suzette
1986
Silas Marner
Eppie
1985
The Corsican Brothers
Emilie du Cailland
1985
Schoolgirl Chums
Hilary
1982
The Adventures of Pollyanna
Pollyanna
1982
Quincy's Quest
Jennifer
1979
Hanover Street
Sarah Sellinger
1979
Lady Oscar
young Oscar François de Jarjayes
1979
The Blue Bird
Mytyl
1976
Hell's Gate
Borley Rectory: The Awakening
Constance Bull
2025
The Pebble and the Boy
Sonia
2021
McDonald & Dodds
Barbara Graham · (1 episode)
2020
Richard Osman's House of Games
Self - Contestant · (5 episodes)
2017
Tina & Bobby
Betty Greene · (1 episode)
2017
Agatha Raisin
Emma Comfrey · (1 episode)
2016
The 90s: Ten Years That Changed the World
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2015
Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side
Self · (3 episodes)
2011
OK! TV
(1 episode)
2011
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Self · (1 episode)
2009
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night
Self · (2 episodes)
2009
Bargain Hunt Famous Finds
(1 episode)
2008
Celebrity Juice
Self · (2 episodes)
2008
Would I Lie to You?
Self · (1 episode)
2007
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (1 episode)
2007
The One Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2006
Must See TV
(1 episode)
2005
A Bear's Tail
Helen Hennerson · (6 episodes)
2005
8 Out of 10 Cats
Self · (1 episode)
2005
Monkey Trousers
(7 episodes)
2005
The Friday Night Project
Self - Guest Host · (1 episode)
2005
Who Do You Think You Are?
Self · (1 episode)
2004
The Paul O'Grady Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2004
Bo' Selecta!
Self · (10 episodes)
2002
Murder in Mind
Angela Stephenson · (1 episode)
2001
Celebrity Big Brother
Self · (1 episode)
2001
Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime
Princess Jasmine
2000
Holby City
Faye Byrne · (0 episode)
1999
The Last Don II
Josie Cirolia · (2 episodes)
1998
TFI Friday
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Soccer AM
Self · (1 episode)
1995
Lo + plus
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1995
Kleptomania
Julie
1995
Fall from Grace
Lady Deirdre Sebright
1994
Shooting Stars
Self · (1 episode)
1993
Screen One
Hetty Sorrel · (1 episode)
1989
Tales from the Crypt
Bridget (segment "As Ye Sow") · (1 episode)
1989
Lahaye d'honneur
Self - Eight Wonder · (1 episode)
1987
Le monde est à vous
Self - Eight Wonder · (1 episode)
1987
Sacrée soirée
Self - Eight Wonder · (2 episodes)
1987
French & Saunders
Self · (1 episode)
1987
Casualty
Charlotte Leith-Jones · (1 episode)
1986
Diana
Young Diana · (10 episodes)
1984
The Tragedy of Richard III
Lady Margaret Plantagenet
1983
Luna
(12 episodes)
1983
The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls
Daisy
1980
The Legend of King Arthur
Morgan le Fay as a child · (1 episode)
1979
The BBC Television Shakespeare
Lady Margaret Plantagenet · (1 episode)
1978
Quiet as a Nun
Tessa
1978
Dickens of London
Georgina Hogarth · (1 episode)
1976
Hennessy
Angie Hennessy
1975
Alfie Darling
Penny
1975
The Great Gatsby
Pamela Buchanan
1974
Emmerdale
Sadie King · (3446 episodes)
1972
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Emilie du Caillaud · (1 episode)
1951