Colette Mann

Colette Mann (born 17 February 1950^[2]) is an Australian actress, singer, TV and radio presenter, choreographer, writer and media personality, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years.^[2] She is known for her roles in Prisoner (1979–1984) as Doreen May Anderson Burns, and Neighbours (2012–2022) as Sheila Canning.

Mann was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and trained at a local Melbourne dancing school as a child until about 19 or 20. She then went to a professional dance school and trained under Betty Pounder, a choreographer for J. C. Williamson Theatre Ltd.^[5] She studied at Monash University from 1967 to 1970, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and history.^[3] While teaching at Williamstown High School, she successfully auditioned for Godspell, which continued its run for three years.^[5]

In 2001, Mann studied under Mark Rylance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.^[6][7] In 2023, she studied American accent at Brave Studios under Tyler Coppin.^[7]

In her first high-profile role, Mann appeared in the Network Ten soap opera Prisoner as Doreen Burns, in which she was an original cast member during the first four seasons (1979–1982). Mann resigned from the role in March 1982^[8] to pursue other projects and her final episode (episode 304) was broadcast in August 1982. She did however continue to make guest appearances in 1983 and 1984.

Mann has appeared in The Flying Doctors, MDA and Blue Heelers. In 1988, she portrayed the role of Edith Fraser in the American television movie Outback Bound, which also starred American actors Donna Mills and John Schneider. From late 1995, she briefly took over the role of Cheryl Stark in the soap opera Neighbours for eight weeks when Caroline Gillmer was taken ill.^[4] From February 2012, Mann joined the cast of Neighbours again, this time as regular character Sheila Canning.^[4] In February 2022 she permanently left the show.^[9]

Mann appeared in 1983 film Kitty and the Bagman with two of her former Prisoner castmates, Val Lehman and Gerald Maguire. She later appeared in 2000 feature film The Dish, alongside Sam Neill and Tom Long.

She has also appeared for numerous Screen Star Events in the UK.^[10] In 2023 she appeared at the Screen Star 15 year event alongside Tammy MacIntosh and Jacquie Brennan.^[11]

In 2022, Mann revealed in an interview with Talking Prisoner^[12] that she filmed a cameo alongside Val Lehman and Fiona Spence for the final episode of season 7 of Wentworth. The series at the time had not been formally renewed for its final season, and ultimately the scene did not go to air.^[13]

Mann has also been a presenter on numerous TV shows including The Don Lane Show, Hey Hey It's Saturday, What's Cooking, Good Morning Australia and The Circle. She has been a fill-in presenter for Glenn Ridge on talk back radio MTR 1377. In July 2019, she appeared on Jeremy Vine Channel 5.

She has appeared in television commercials for Bare Funerals and National Lottery UK.^[7]

Mann was a member of the original Australian cast of Godspell in 1971. She performed the song "Turn Back, O'Man" in the production.^[14]

In the 1980s, Mann was part of a three-woman troupe called the Mini Busettes with fellow Prisoner actresses Jane Clifton and Betty Bobbitt. They performed for three seasons at Melbourne's Le Joke comedy venue and at many Sydney league clubs.^[15]

Mann played the role of Buttercup in Opera Australia’s production of HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan in 2005.^[16] She then appeared on stage as Shirley, the battleaxe owner of Broken Hill pub, in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - the Musical in 2010.^[17]

In 2023, Mann joined the pantomime in the UK for Beauty and the Beast for its 2023 season.^[18]

Mann has written two books, It's a Mann's World (1990) and Give Me a Break (2002). She also writes for New Idea magazine as a feature writer about her family and sons.^[19]

Mann has two sons, Sam and Charlie.^[20] As she began her tenure on Neighbours in 2012, Mann's marriage broke down.^[21]

In 1996, Mann walked the Kokoda Track for A Current Affair, alongside fellow celebrities Dermott Brereton, Grant Kenny, Daryl Braithwaite, Angry Anderson and Dr. Kerryn Phelps.^[22]

• Colette Mann at IMDb