- published: 02 Mar 2009
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Katherine Lucy Bridget Burke (born 13 June 1964 in Camden, London, England) is an English actress, comedienne, playwright and theatre director. She is best known for her portrayals of Perry in the Harry Enfield film Kevin and Perry Go Large, and of Linda La Hughes in the British sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme (the latter of which she co-wrote and developed with Jonathan Harvey). She is also known for her regular appearances on French and Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous and Harry Enfield and Chums. She has been nominated for six BAFTA awards.
She was born at the Royal Free Hospital in London, and brought up in the Irish area of Islington. Her mother Bridget (Bridie)[1] died of cancer when she was two, and she was brought up by neighbours (the Galvin family) for the following few years. Subsequently, she returned to live with her father Patrick (Paddy), an alcoholic, who died of cancer in 1985. Burke attended the Maria Fidelis RC Convent School. She has two older brothers, John and Barry.
Burke's first role was in the controversial 1983 film Scrubbers, directed by Swedish actress Mai Zetterling and featuring Pam St. Clement, Robbie Coltrane, Miriam Margolyes, Honey Bane, Debby Bishop and Eva Mottley. The film was set in a young offenders' institute for girls and was seen as a female version of the film Scum.