Obituary: Morag Siller, actress

Morag Siller, actress, singer, writer and broadcaster. Picture: Ivon Bartholomew.

Morag Siller was an enthusiastic and talented actress who had carved out a considerable career for herself in both the musical and straight theatre. Her commitment to every project on which she worked was total and she had a special love of performing in large scale musicals – Les Miserables, Mamma Mia! etc. She was also seen in plays, notably as Voltemand, in the acclaimed production of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch at London’s Barbican Theatre last year.

Siller’s work on behalf of various charities was equally committed – she gave of her time and energies – especially to the cancer charity Genesis of which she was patron. Siller made herself available to help many causes and was involved in numerous events – notably in 2015 when she hosted an evening at The Braid Hills Hotel. She had charm, wit, energy and her sparkling personality lit up every occasion she attended.

A life-long friend Ivon Bartholomew told The Scotsman yesterday, “Morag was always effervescent and bubbly - she had a great love of life. Her ambition was to go on the stage from an early age and she remained focused and devoted throughout her career. She gathered friends around her by always being natural, warm and genuine.”

Aged three Morag Siller, along with her twin brother Colin, was adopted and brought up in the capital’s Greenbank district. She came to terms with being adopted with forthright honesty, “I was lucky to have been adopted by such a loving family” she once said. “I wouldn’t change things for the world.” She attended James Gillespie’s High School where she showed a keen interest in drama often appearing in the school’s plays.

Siller attended the Edinburgh Acting School where the principal Anna Tinline remembers her with great affection. “Morag was a conscientious and very talented girl” she told The Scotsman yesterday. “I was very fond of her: her lovely smile, willingness to learn and above all her delightful sense of humour. When the school was burnt down in 1992 Morag was one of the first to offer support and commiserations.” At 18 she moved to London and attended classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Siller appeared in many roles on television – being cast in semi-regular roles such as Flora Kilwillie in Monarch of the Glen, Leona in Casualty (she had a permanent crush on Derek Thompson’s charge nurse Charlie) and a Dingle in Emmerdale. She won an award for the role in Casualty and also appeared in Doctors, EastEnders, Fiona’s Story (with Jeremy Northam and Gina McKee) and Hetty Winthorp Investigates.

She was in several musicals – West Side Story, Les Miserables and Mamma Mia! both in the West End and on tour around the UK. Siller appeared in the world tour of Mamma Mia! and performed the show in China.

At the first day of rehearsals for Les Miserables the cast were brought together to meet the orchestra and Siller recognised a familiar face. “I know you” she said to the horn player. “We were at school together.” She married Tim Nicholson at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh in 2005. In 2013 she played a central role in some gripping scenes in Coronation Street. As the Reverend Esther Warren Siller was the vicar who conducted Lily Platt’s christening which proved highly dramatic as there were complications over the baby’s parentage. In an emotional moment Siller tenderly listened to David Platt’s troubles and captured the very essence of the heart-breaking scene.

In Holby City Siller was Sandra Pullman the pushy mother of a teenage daughter. She told The Scotsman in 2008 “I don’t know where the years have gone. One minute I was getting cast as the daughter and then suddenly I’m playing mothers.”

After being diagnosed Siller campaigned for funds and a wider understanding of breast cancer. She was resolute and constructive in her work for charities organising several cabaret evenings in Manchester which proved entertaining and rewarding experiences for many. In 2012 Siller raised over £20,000 at the Theatre Royal, Manchester in a Cabaret for Cancer evening. Sally Dynevor who plays Sally Webster in Coronation Street co-hosted the show and in a moving introduction told the large audience, “Morag has organised all this while she was going through treatment which is just amazing as I don’t think I could have done anything like this. She’s a real inspiration.”

She was devoted to Scotland (“I’m never as happy as when I’m in Scotland” she told a reporter) and often returned to visit friends and family - she and her husband holidayed every year in Orkney. Ivon Bartholomew said “Morag was besotted by Scotland: Edinburgh and Scotland defined her personality.”

Morag Siller is survived by her husband Tim, her mother, twin brother, two half sisters and half brother.

ALASDAIR STEVEN