Victoria Wood Trivia Quiz

Answer: New Faces

Although she won her original heat, Victoria didn't do as well in her Winners show, (held every eight weeks during the series), and thus failed to secure a place in the Grand Final. She managed to get some club bookings on the strength of her appearance on the programme, but fame was still a long way off.

Answer: Julie Walters

Although all the actresses named worked with Victoria in the series 'Victoria Wood As Seen on TV' (1985), notably in 'Acorn Antiques', it was Julie Walters who had met Victoria at Manchester and shown her around the university. Victoria failed to win a place there and went to Birmingham University instead, but it was only when they worked together during the run of a revue in the Shepherd's Bush theatre that their friendship developed fully.

Answer: Sheffield's Crucible Theatre

'Talent' was a critical success, and transferred to the West End. It was also adapted for performance by Granada Television. Set around the world of talent shows, of which Victoria had a good deal of experience, it told the story of two aspiring performers, played by Victoria and her friend Julie Walters, and their encounters with some seedy characters in the northern clubs in which the play was set. Victoria played the music on a piano set at the side of the stage.

Answer: Geoffrey Durham

Victoria and Geoffrey's wedding was a far cry from the celebrity weddings of today. They had no relatives present, and although they had planned to marry on February 29th (so, according to Victoria, they would only have an anniversary every four years), they eventually tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Lancaster in 1980, with only a friend, her husband and their baby present. Victoria and Geoffrey had two children, Grace and Henry, before separating in 2002.

Answer: Wood on the Box

Although the series 'Wood and Walters' which aired on ITV in 1982 was named for both performers, Julie Walters made no contribution to the writing of the shows. 'Victoria Wood - As Seen on TV' was shown by the BBC from 1985 - 1987, while 'Victoria Wood' (1989) consisted of a series of six short plays, each set in a different situation such as a health spa and a daytime chat-show.

Answer: Crossroads

Although many daytime soaps in the 1970s featured shaky sets, missed cues, poor acting and ridiculous plots, it was 'Crossroads' which was the greatest inspiration for Victoria's creation. 'Acorn Antiques' was a hugely successful part of 'Victoria Wood - As Seen on TV' (1985).

In 2005 Victoria turned her idea into a successful stage musical with a run in the West End of London, and, in 2006 an extended tour around the country. She shared the role of Mrs Overall with Julie Walters during the West End run.

Answer: Julie Walters

The series featured many of the actors and actresses who had worked on Victoria's earlier TV series. It gained an enthusiastic following among viewers, but only two series were made. It won the British Comedy Award in 1999 and 2000.

Answer: Housewife, 49

The wartime diaries of Nella Last were published in 1981 and when Victoria was approached by an ITV producer to collaborate on a project to bring the diaries to life on screen, she was very happy to oblige. Although the diary dealt with the day to day life of an ordinary woman in the war, Victoria said, "I read the book over and over and began to find things beneath the surface that I was interested in.

It wasn't just about rationing and dried egg and people painting their legs brown to look like stockings.

There was a story underneath of a woman in crisis." The play lacked any of the trademark humour for which Victoria is renowned, but demonstrated her skill as a dramatist.

Answer: Nana

Victoria had read the 'Ballet Shoes' as a child, and it was books like this and 'The Swish of the Curtain' by Pamela Brown which had inspired her to take up a performing career. She played the part of Nana, nurse and carer for the three young girls who are adopted by Great Uncle Matthew, and in conjunction with Sylvia Brown, to whom she was also nurse, she brought stability and love to the lives of the three orphans, as well as supporting them through their efforts to achieve success in their chosen careers.

Answer: I've got a game of snooker at the British Legion

If you have heard this song, you will never look at a hostess trolley or a copy of 'Woman's Weekly' magazine in the same way again! And if you haven't, I strongly urge you to seek it out and listen. It is simply wonderful!

Victoria Wood is an amazingly talented and creative woman. I hope that this quiz has given you some insight into her many talents.