Chlöe is an actress and the niece of actress Dame Peggy Ashcroft.
She first worked with long-serving Play School executive producer Cynthia Felgate in the Brian Way theatre company.
She appeared at the Royal Court and spent three years with the National Theatre at the Old Vic with Laurence Olivier (1962 – 1965).
She worked at the RSC (1966 – 1967) and met her future husband, David Hargreaves, whilst working at the National Theatre (1963 – 1965). They married in 1966.
When Chlöe later became pregnant with her first child, she gave up theatre work.
Chlöe joined Play School as the 35th presenter, making her debut on 28th July 1969, alongside Rick Jones. She was one of only four presenters to appear in all three decades and appeared in a total of 545 editions.
Archivist and author Paul R. Jackson viewed the black and white programme, as it still exists within the BBC Archive.
Chlöe appeared in a mini-skirt. The toys misbehaved, so she pulled up Jemima from the floor by her plaited hair and Teddy by his ear. The presenters later sang the classic Hokey Cokey song.
The veteran presenter made her final Play School appearance on Friday 4th March 1988 after 19 years with the programme.
The theme of the week was ‘patterns’ and Chlöe appeared at the piano with pianist Paul Reade to pick out some patterns of music, before appearing as a singer called Gloria in the story called Hiccups by Jean Watson.
The programme closed with a rendition of Lord of the Dance, with Chlöe singing, Jemima and Poppy both dancing on the piano, and presenters Mike Amatt and Janet Palmer with Humpty.
Musician Dave Moses was accompanied by Paul Reade, who played the Play School theme live. This edition was produced by Christine Secombe.
Chlöe also presented the following children’s series:
- All Change (BBC One, 1968);
- 31 editions of Play Away (BBC Two, 1971 – 1979);
- Hokey Cokey (1983).
She appeared in Excuse Me! (1979) and devised and appeared in Pie in the Sky (BBC One, 1986).
Her television acting credits include
- Much Ado About Nothing (1967);
- Softly Softly: Task Force (1970);
- Edward the Seventh (1975);
- Star Turn (1976);
- Doctor Who – Resurrection of the Daleks (1984).
Correspondence
Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Chlöe in December 2008 and she recalled how she joined Play School:
“I did a series with Ann Reay in Bristol – the name escapes me (editor’s note: a short series of three programmes called All Change) and she suggested I audition for Play School.
“Brian Cant, Derek Griffiths and I had the same effect on each other, making each other laugh.
“We all had such a happy time making the programme. Celebrating with all the presenters was great fun as we didn’t work with each other, especially the other girls, so it was a good excuse for a right knees up. Christmas weeks were always really special to do.
“What was so great about Play School was that, although it was educational, it was fun, intimate for the child and innovative. I look back with great fondness for all those I worked for and with – Cynthia, Ann Reay, Anne Gobey, Christine Secombe to name but a few.”
Chlöe recalled how she later got her revenge on Hamble for not sitting up straight
“I got a large knitting needle and stuck it up her bottom as far as her head. She went completely rigid and was much better after that!”
What did you do after leaving Play School?
“After the programme finished, I decided to do what I had been longing to do, which was study and I did a BA Hons in literature.
“After that I did some T.E.F.L. teaching and worked for five years in a special needs school until it closed in 2002.
“I currently work for my local hospice and still have people come up to me to say how great Play School was. Isn’t that amazing?”
Personal information
Clips of Chlöe on The TV Room
Chlöe may be featured in video/audio clips on our other websites. Click the links below to display a listing (a 404 error will appear if no clips are found):
Online presence
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Chlöe Ashcroft, SUPPLIED BY: Paul R. Jackson. COPYRIGHT: Unknown.
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