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Anna Wing during filming
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EastEnders actress has no Quarrel with rock band

By Tim Harris
April 12, 2012

A 97-YEAR-OLD veteran EastEnders star has appeared in a music video for a band with members from across Hampshire and Surrey.

Anna Wing MBE, who played matriarch Lou Beale in the popular TV soap opera, stars in the promo for rock group Quarrel's track Is It Cool?

The video, in which Wing plays a gangland boss determined to rid the world of funk rock, was being launched at a special screening in London on Thursday night.

Robin Hercock, from Farnborough, who plays bass guitar in the band, said: “It is so exciting to have Anna in the video.

“She is an unbelievable actor – not to mention unbelievably intimidating when the cameras start rolling.”

Wing, who received her MBE in 2009, enjoyed an acting career of more than 70 years.

She starred in EastEnders from the show's inception in 1985, until her character was killed off in 1988.

The experienced actress said her decision to work with the group came from a passion for new opportunities.

“It was tremendous fun,” she said. “They really were lovely to work with, and it is nice to support talented young people who are being creative.”

Richard Lawrence, from Alton, who sings lead vocals and plays keyboard, described how Quarrel met the actress.

He said: “My girlfriend’s landlady used to work on EastEnders, she had friends and contacts who we met at various parties.

“We asked Anna and she said she was keen to get involved with the video. It was remarkable, she was absolutely superb. I was in awe, having seen her on TV for many years.

“She showed up and was very well-spoken, but as soon as we hit filming she just flipped like a switch into this terrifying gangster, barking orders at her henchmen.”

In addition to Robin and Richard, the other members of Quarrel are guitarist Barry Dologhan, from Ash, drummer Simon Young, from Guildford, guitarist and backing vocalist Damian Nolan, from High Wycombe, and another lead vocalist, Michael Lawrence, from Earlsfield.

The video launch was due to take place at London Bridge’s Roxy Bar & Screen from 7.30pm, with Wing set to attend and the band also performing a short live set. The promo will then be available on YouTube.

The single can be bought from the band's website - www.quarrelmusic.com - as of Friday (April 13), and a new EP will also be available to download from April 30.

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In an age where the words star and celebrity have been devalued by being applied to any 10 minuit wonder I prefer to think of Anna Wing as a jobbing actress because that is what she does superbly, act. It does not surprise me that she is in a pop video, when I have seen her in interviews she comes across as old school remembering how tough it is to get started.