Diminutive English entertainer and character actress of Italian parentage, born Sheila Poncini. On the London stage from 1946, Bernette featured mainly in revues and comedies. From 1955, she also appeared sporadically on television, usually as either foil or sidekick to popular comedians like Morecambe & Wise, Dick Emery, Leslie Crowther or Tony Hancock. She performed in a number of variety programs and (appearing as herself) enjoyed a regular spot as one of the pranksters in Candid Camera (1960). More recently, she had a recurring role in the main cast of the BBC children’s sitcom Hotel Trubble (2008) as a permanent guest (the demanding and oft-married hotel resident Mrs. Poshington, who, after losing her fortune, is reduced to becoming the hotel’s cleaner). Her final screen appearance was in 2011.
