Five Fast Facts About British Soap Star Elizabeth Estensen

Elizabeth Estensen is a British actress who is best known for playing Diane Sugden in Emmerdale for almost two decades. Before that, she was also on the long-running Coronation Street for a couple of years.

Along with her work on British soaps, Estensen has also appeared on shows such as The Liver Birds, and T-Bag Series. From where she was born and raised to winning soap awards, here are five fast facts about the actress.

Who Is Elizabeth Estensen?

She was born to mother, Eleanor, and father, Otto on August 10 in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England, where she was also raised. She is an only child.

Theater Work
Before breaking into television, Estensen got her start in the theater. She appeared in a production of When The Reds, but her breakthrough came when she played Alice in the Willy Russell musical John, Paul, George, Ringo ….and Bert, which was inspired by The Beatles. Her performance led to her first TV role, as Nerys Hughes saw her in the play and recommended her for the show, The Liver Birds.

Soap Career
The actress appeared as Pam Middleton on Coronation Street for two years, but she left the show in 1998. She was then cast as Diane Sugden in Emmerdale in the late ‘90s and has been on the show for almost 20 years.

Big Winner

Thanks to her work in Emmerdale, Estensen has been nominated for a number of British Soap Awards. She took home the British Soap Award for Spectacular Scene of the Year in 2007 and shared the award with co-stars Nick Miles (Jimmy), Julia Mallam (ex-Dawn), Tony Audenshaw (Bob), and director Duncan Foster.

Getting Personal With Elizabeth Estensen
She has been married to her husband, Philip Allen, since May of 1983 and the couple has one son together, James Otto Allen.