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| Gracie Fields: Rochdale statue tribute unveiled | Gracie Fields: Rochdale statue tribute unveiled |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A statue of the actress Dame Gracie Fields has been unveiled in her home town of Rochdale. | A statue of the actress Dame Gracie Fields has been unveiled in her home town of Rochdale. |
| A life-sized sculpture of the singer and entertainer was revealed in Town Hall Square before a large crowd. | A life-sized sculpture of the singer and entertainer was revealed in Town Hall Square before a large crowd. |
| It marks the end of a series of tributes to the star, including a heritage trail featuring blue plaques marking key locations in her life. | It marks the end of a series of tributes to the star, including a heritage trail featuring blue plaques marking key locations in her life. |
| Fields was believed to be the most highly paid actress in the world in the 1930s. | Fields was believed to be the most highly paid actress in the world in the 1930s. |
| Sebastian Lassandro, who runs the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society's website, said: "It's finally time for Rochdale to have its own tribute to Gracie Fields. It's long overdue." | Sebastian Lassandro, who runs the Gracie Fields Appreciation Society's website, said: "It's finally time for Rochdale to have its own tribute to Gracie Fields. It's long overdue." |
| Born in 1898, she made her first stage appearance in 1905 and went on to become a popular star of London's West End. | Born in 1898, she made her first stage appearance in 1905 and went on to become a popular star of London's West End. |
| Her travelling performances for troops during World War Two led her to become known as "a forces' sweetheart", a title more commonly associated with Dame Vera Lynn. | |
| She eventually retired to Capri in Italy, but never forgot her Rochdale roots and made frequent trips home to perform. | She eventually retired to Capri in Italy, but never forgot her Rochdale roots and made frequent trips home to perform. |
| Fields was made a dame in 1979 a few months before her death aged 81. | Fields was made a dame in 1979 a few months before her death aged 81. |