Victoria Wood's Legacy Celebrated by Those Who Knew Her Best
On the tenth anniversary of Victoria Wood's passing, those closest to the comedy icon share revealing stories about the woman behind the laughter. From her early days performing songs about dressing gowns and cocoa to her groundbreaking television work, Wood emerges as both a genius and a complex personality who transformed British comedy.
The Perfectionist Who Demanded Excellence
Duncan Preston recalls his first meeting with Wood at Granada offices for her TV film Happy Since I Met You. "She'd been at lunch with Julie Walters and they were a little bit refreshed," Preston remembers. "When they came in, it was like being hit by a firing squad." Despite initial reservations, Preston became part of Wood's company, driving her to work daily in his Saab convertible. "She would joke: 'I love Duncan's soft top.'"
Preston reveals Wood's demanding nature: "Vic was a genius and not the easiest person to work with because she insisted that you do everything exactly as it was written. She would make you do it again and again and again, until you said the right words." Their working relationship included tense moments, particularly during dinnerladies when Preston complained about having little to do. "She was seething," he says. "The next week, you've never seen as much bloody stuff as I had to learn: tongue-twisters and all sorts."
A Revolutionary Voice in Comedy
Nigel Planer first encountered Wood at Cardiff's Chapter arts centre in the early days. "In a climate of very male comedy and rock music and later punk, Victoria stuck out: confidently suburban and witty, with no swearing or violence," Planer observes. "She was a bit of a revelation." Her unique approach to comedy, focusing on everyday suburban life without relying on shock tactics, set her apart from contemporaries.
Sally Ann Triplett worked with Wood on Acorn Antiques: The Musical!, an eight-month process that revealed both Wood's generosity and perfectionism. "Vic could be tricky," Triplett acknowledges. "But it's because she just knew what was needed." Despite Trevor Nunn serving as official director, Wood remained deeply involved. "Vic would come up and whisper in your ear and give you a note just before you started," Triplett recalls. "The most memorable one she gave me was: 'You're doing the whole of act one wrong.'"
The Shy Genius Behind the Public Persona
Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) discovered Wood's quiet nature when they worked together on the BBC drama Eric and Ernie. "She was really, really quiet, didn't say anything, very unresponsive," Moir remembers. Their breakthrough came through improvisation: "I started doing impressions of people sitting at other tables. And she slowly started joining in." This shared humor became the foundation of their working relationship.
Joanna Scanlan, who admired Wood since her teenage years, describes the comedian's impact: "She was delivering a version of womanhood I'd never seen before, that was utterly modern. It was vulnerable but deeply realized femininity." Their friendship developed when Wood expressed admiration for Scanlan's work on Getting On. "She thought Getting On wasn't getting enough attention either, probably because it was about and by women," Scanlan reveals.
Unwavering Dedication to Craft
Andrew Dunn, who appeared in dinnerladies, marvels at Wood's work ethic: "I was astounded by how hard Victoria worked, continually rewriting the scripts, playing the central role of Brenda, being part of the production team." Wood even warmed up audiences before recordings with five minutes of standup. "It was a herculean effort," Dunn emphasizes.
Shobna Gulati's audition for dinnerladies revealed Wood's sharp observational skills. "Vic looked at my CV and said: 'You're very clever, aren't you?'" Gulati recalls. "Then, looking at me again, she said: 'I'd really like to make you stupid.'" Wood incorporated elements of Gulati's life into her character Anita, including being a single parent. "She had unbelievable observation skills and would pick at uncomfortable truths that were extremely funny and desperately sad," Gulati notes.
A Lasting Musical and Comedic Legacy
Ria Jones, directed by Wood in the national tour of Acorn Antiques, describes the experience as transformative. "Her brain was so quick," Jones says. "There were moments when she got off on one and you'd listen, hanging on every word." Wood's passion for musical theater remained strong throughout her career. "She loved old musicals, which she knew so much about," Jones remembers. "I used to say to her: 'Please write another musical!' She had so many more brilliant ideas in her."
Melvyn Bragg reflects on Wood's unique talent: "She had a gift for taking things unseriously, being humorous about them, yet speaking a lot of sense." Bragg believes this ability developed early: "From her early childhood, I suspect she realized she could secure people's attention by making them laugh."
Scanlan, who remained close to Wood during her illness, emphasizes the importance of preserving her legacy: "It's so important that her work is respected, and I just wish she'd been able to know how important she was to the public, and to any industry person who'd ever worked with her."
As these recollections demonstrate, Victoria Wood's influence extends far beyond her television appearances and stage performances. Her meticulous approach to comedy, groundbreaking representation of women, and unwavering commitment to her craft continue to inspire comedians and performers today, ensuring her legacy endures a decade after her passing.
