She was born Jean Vivra Gray in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, the eldest of four children of Allan, a fish merchant, and his wife, Doris, and attended Thrunscoe girls' school. The family moved to Kingston upon Thames, in south-west London, in the 30s but was evacuated back to Cleethorpes in 1941 and finally resettled in New Malden, Surrey, after the second world war in 1945. As a young woman, Gray worked as a sales assistant, reporter, photographer and nurse, and during the war had served in the Women's Land Army, but always dreamed of becoming an actor. In 1952, finding opportunities in Britain limited, she decided to emigrate to Australia to pursue her acting ambitions. She adopted the professional name Vivean Gray and appeared in Australian theatre and radio, as well as establishing herself on TV with small roles in cop shows such as Homicide and move back to the old country, to St Albans, Hertfordshire. She continued to be mentioned in the show as recently as 2015.
Dogged by bad luck in her acting career. When she starred in "Prisoner" virtually all her scenes were cut when someone threatened to sue due to her character being too similar to a real-life person. Then whilst starring in "Neighbours" she was bullied by members of the public who confused her nasty character with real life, causing her to have enough and give up acting.
Best known for her role as Ida Jessup in "The Sullivans" .
Was the eldest of 4 children. Sister of Eunice, Hazel and Derek. Daughter of Allan Gray (born Allan Arthur Gray 1898) and Doris Gray (born Doris M Simpson) who were married in 1923.
I could barely set foot outside my own door without someone screaming,abuse at horrid old Mrs Mangel.
