A TRIBUTE to the uncrowned queen of Blackpool comes to the Grand Theatre this weekend - the very place where she broke box office records more than 20 years ago.

She Knows You Know tells the story of the pint-sized Hylda Baker - and who better to portray the eccentric comedienne than one of her greatest fans, Jean Fergusson.

Jean, better known as Marina in Last of the Summer Wine, has spent six years researching Hylda's life and career, including the times she broke South Pier records in the 1950s and at the Grand in 1970.

Now, she has pooled all her information for a one-woman play which runs from Sunday to Tuesday (May 11-13).

Jean said: "About six years ago when I was appearing in pantomime as Marina someone remarked how she reminded her of Hylda Baker, which was strange because when I was young I loved watching her on television doing her original stand-up routine and often impersonated her.

"Her life was hard to research because nothing was documented, but I went via people she worked with and found her niece who lives in Lytham."

During her research Jean discovered many anecdotes, including a huge flag Hylda had in the front garden of her Cleveleys home and a yellow and black American car - both of which were emblazoned with her catchphrase She Knows You Know.

Jean had a hard task deciding which stories to leave out of the play but she intends to include them in a biography of the star.

"I really enjoyed finding out about Hylda's past," she added.

"It gave me a chance to get under the skin of a very complex lady who was ahead of her time and had a struggle to make her name in a man's world."

The first act of the play sees Hylda alone in her dressing room before her full stand-up routine and Jean believes this gives people a chance to see what she was really like.

"There are plenty of tears and laughter which Hylda felt came together and, of course, there are a few surprises," said Jean.

"The play has gone down well everywhere and we have had many standing ovations which makes me feel the audience is cheering for Hylda as well as me.

"She appeared at many of the venues we have played to, which adds a nice touch and it will be extra special to come to Blackpool which was her home and where she was so popular."

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