This is a video tribute to Connie, who has died after a six-month battle with dementia. She was 74. The video features a brief selection of her appearances, an interview with A Big Hand With Sooty, an earlier appearance of The Sooty Show in the 80's and her final on screen appearances in Sooty & Co's first season. Her final words on screen were "I got to go now, bye" and at the end you don't want her to leave. Rest in Peace Connie.
Tributes pour in for former Southport holiday hostess Connie Creighton
FORMER Southport showbusiness icon Connie Creighton has died aged 74.
Tributes have being paid to much-loved Connie, who, for 22 years, entertained many thousands of holidaymakers as Southport's Holiday Hostess at the Floral Hall Gardens.
Known on a national level for co-presenting childrens favourite The Sooty Show, Connie also appeared in many stage shows in the resort and regularly attended The Ainsdale Show.
Such was her popularity in the resort, Connie once exclaimed she had more friends in Southport than in her home town, Bournemouth.
She died peacefully at home on Saturday after a battle with dementia.
Southports love affair with Connie began in 1974, when she was poached from Bridlington to front a big band at the Floral Hall, called Connie's Candlelight Club.
It was at the complex she met husband John Seaton in 1976.
The former Christ Church pupil was first introduced to Connie at a garden party, hosted by comedy legend Les Dawson.
He said: I thought she was a nurse until I saw a picture of her in the Southport Visiter two weeks later. As soon as I saw her photo I went back to the complex and there she was. We never looked back. I can imagine I was the envy of a lot of men!
Connie had a great fondness for Southport it was her second home. She spent 22 years there and she developed a real love for the place.
From 1975 to 1997, as Holiday Hostess, Connie led everything from swimsuit beauty contests to children's competitions, as hundreds sunbathed in deck chairs in the Floral Hall Gardens.
Paying tribute, close friend and former Sefton tourism chief, Phil King, said: She was so professional.
She was able to do her research before any competition, be it Search For A Star or the English Rose Beauty Competition, she always got plenty of detail from each contestant so she was able to present them in the best light possible.
She had her own fans who would come to Southport to see her.
Southport Conservatives chairperson Jackie Glover revealed she was very saddened to hear of Connies death.
She said: Connie was a wonderful ambassador for Southport she really did a lot for the town. She was one of the nicest people you could have wished to meet.
During her time in Southport she entertained many, many thousands of people. She was an icon for the town. Everybody loved her.
Jackies husband, Cllr Tom Glover, added: For several years, she was effectively Miss Southport. I remember talking to one or two visitors who said they came to Southport each year just for Connie. She was a remarkable woman.
Ainsdale Show entertainments officer Janet Greenwood recalled how Connie and John used to travel up from Bournemouth for the annual festival.
She said: She was a lovely lady, so friendly. Everyone had a lot of time for her. She was involved with the show for a number of years, and opened the show on two occasions.
She would stop and chat to everyone. People used to really warm to her. She was very well liked and loved in Southport.
Connies funeral was be held at St Mark's Church, Bournemouth on Monday 26th January.
http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/southport-news/southport-southport-news/200...
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Connie Creighton reads the Sooty bedtime storyby sooteries23,721 views
this is so sad, i only just found out. i remember her. what a nice lady.
gp4nut 2 months ago
So sorry to learn that Connie has died. She was so nice to me and my 2 boys back in 1998 when we went to see Sooty on stage. She invited us backstage, and I have some lovely photos of that meeting. A lovely lady. RIP Connie.
janchristinesears 6 months ago
I went to school with Connie, She was fantastically talented especially as a dancer / vocalist. Sad she has gone
jeanniedee 1 year ago
i tought she was46 in some episodes and 50 years old in later episodes
tashdog1 1 year ago
R.I.P Connie
Thomassonicandadam 1 year ago
oh my god just found out that Connie has passed on, remember the many Sunday afternoons at the Floral hall when she hosted with Charles. RIP Connie loved knowing you XXXX Steve Johnson
latexshorts 2 years ago
RIP Connie.
SCRuffeyfan 2 years ago
I didnt know she died! RIP Connie
happinesscounts 2 years ago
connie was a great entertainer on sooty shall miss her
bigdave6777 2 years ago
RIP
friendofsgran 2 years ago