Award-winning actress Julie Walters in poignant message to Horsham

In a new video, Dame Julie urges people to support two causes close to her heart: The Samaritans and Horsham’s Capitol Theatre.

Dame Julie, who lives near Horsham, is patron of the Horsham and Crawley branch of The Samaritans.

In the video, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winner Dame Julie urges people to see A Christmas Carol later this year at The Capitol. She describes the production as “one of the best of Dickens and obviously appropriate at this time of year.”

She adds: “It’s about kindness and generosity and humanity, and boy do we need that at the moment.

“The Capitol have very kindly offered to put collecing buckets out after the show. So I am asking you to support this fabulous theatre because theatre is suffering hugely and we don’t want it to die - and they are following all the Covid guidelines, and more.

“So I would love you to go along and, if you can afford it, put in a little something for the Samaritans because they have been there through this crisis and they have never been more needed - they are never going to be more needed over the coming months, probably years.

“I hope you will go along and really really enjoy it. In the meantime, take care.”

Dame Julie’s message of support for Horsham follows otheres issued by fellow actress Dame Judi Dench and singer Cliff Richard.