Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is an English actress, singer and model. Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Birds Eye frozen peas. She went on to appear in films such as The Great Gatsby (1974), Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), Hennessy (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). In 1983 Kensit formed and became the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder, which released the top-20 hits "I'm Not Scared" and "Cross My Heart" before disbanding in 1989. Kensit achieved further success in her breakthrough role as Suzette in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) and as Rika van den Haas in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) before starring in the films Twenty-One (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Angels & Insects (1995) and Grace of My Heart (1996), and has since starred in a number of both big-budget and independent films. Between 2004 and 2006, Kensit played Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, a role she reprised 20 years later from 2026 to 2027. She also played Faye Morton in the BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2007 to 2010, and again for an episode in 2019. Throughout 2023, she played Emma Harding in EastEnders. Kensit was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Hanover Street (1979). In 1991, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Twenty-One (1991), and later had several nominations for her role in Emmerdale. Kensit has been married to musicians Dan Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher and Jeremy Healy. Kensit was born on 4 March 1968, at the General Lying-In Hospital, Lambeth, to James and Margaret Rose (née Doohan). Kensit's maternal grandparents hailed from County Leitrim, Ireland. She has an older brother. Her mother was a secretary at Dior and former model, who had previously dated Aga Khan IV, while Kensit's father was a close associate of both the Kray Twins and the Richardson Gang, earning himself the nickname "Jimmy the Dip", and was involved in the Great Train Robbery. He served time in prison before Kensit was born and used a cover as an antiques dealer. Kensit's godfather was Reggie Kray. Her paternal grandfather was a robber and counterfeiter. Kensit spent her childhood living on a council estate in Hounslow and had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. She attended Newland House School, St Catherine's School, Twickenham, and Corona Theatre School.

Patsy Kensit

Patsy Kensit

Acting Born March 4, 1968 Lambeth, London, England

Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit (born 4 March 1968) is an English actress, singer and model.

Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Birds Eye frozen peas. She went on to appear in films such as The Great Gatsby (1974), Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), Hennessy (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). In 1983 Kensit formed and became the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder, which released the top-20 hits "I'm Not Scared" and "Cross My Heart" before disbanding in 1989.

Kensit achieved further success in her breakthrough role as Suzette in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) and as Rika van den Haas in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) before starring in the films Twenty-One (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Angels & Insects (1995) and Grace of My Heart (1996), and has since starred in a number of both big-budget and independent films.

Between 2004 and 2006, Kensit played Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, a role she reprised 20 years later from 2026 to 2027. She also played Faye Morton in the BBC One medical drama Holby City from 2007 to 2010, and again for an episode in 2019. Throughout 2023, she played Emma Harding in EastEnders.

Kensit was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Hanover Street (1979). In 1991, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Twenty-One (1991), and later had several nominations for her role in Emmerdale.

Kensit has been married to musicians Dan Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher and Jeremy Healy.

Kensit was born on 4 March 1968, at the General Lying-In Hospital, Lambeth, to James and Margaret Rose (née Doohan). Kensit's maternal grandparents hailed from County Leitrim, Ireland. She has an older brother. Her mother was a secretary at Dior and former model, who had previously dated Aga Khan IV, while Kensit's father was a close associate of both the Kray Twins and the Richardson Gang, earning himself the nickname "Jimmy the Dip", and was involved in the Great Train Robbery. He served time in prison before Kensit was born and used a cover as an antiques dealer. Kensit's godfather was Reggie Kray. Her paternal grandfather was a robber and counterfeiter. Kensit spent her childhood living on a council estate in Hounslow and had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. She attended Newland House School, St Catherine's School, Twickenham, and Corona Theatre School.

Known For

The Graham Norton Show poster

The Graham Norton Show

Self
Holby City poster

Holby City

Faye Byrne
Holby City poster

Holby City

Faye Morton
Casualty poster

Casualty

Charlotte Leith-Jones
American Playhouse poster

American Playhouse

Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
Emmerdale poster

Emmerdale

Sadie King
Sacrée soirée poster

Sacrée soirée

Self - Eight Wonder
Celebrity Juice poster

Celebrity Juice

Self
Celebrity Big Brother poster

Celebrity Big Brother

Self
Le monde est à vous poster

Le monde est à vous

Self - Eight Wonder
Would I Lie to You? poster

Would I Lie to You?

Self
8 Out of 10 Cats poster

8 Out of 10 Cats

Self