AS REPORTED in last Thursday's Lowe Down column, South Devon impresario Billie George has died after a long and courageous fight against Parkinson's Disease.

Today marks the 85th anniversary of her birth, so it seems fitting that the whole of this week's Lowe Down column should be devoted to a tribute to one of the most respected showbiz figures in the south west.

Earlier this week Billie's daughter Anne, who is managing director of Trevor George Entertainments (UK), contacted me to tell me all about her mum's life.

Anne said: "It is not only her family who are going to miss her, but also an enormous number of people from all walks of life.

"Billie was one of this world's givers, both of herself and her time. Born in the East End of London on February 18, 1925, she lived there with her parents until they moved to Reading in 1940.

"Her first taste of showbusiness was at the Palace Theatre in Reading where she worked as an usherette. Billie was in her mid-teens at the time and she was thrilled to meet the stars and entertainers of the day.

"Billie served in the ATS for the last two years of the war and, on demobilisation, she worked for a short time with film distributors British Lion in London's Wardour Street.

"After that, she joined a repertory company — White Heather Productions — and became a successful young actress playing leading roles. She also worked as an extra on films with Richard Attenborough, Stewart Granger, Patricia Roc, Diana Dors and others.

"It was love at first sight when Billie met Trevor in St Austell on May 27, 1947. Trevor was a semi-professional magician, just demobbed, so they had a mutual interest in showbusiness.

"Many people will remember that Billie and Trevor went on to present an astonishing mind reading act for many years. During that time they not only appeared before Spanish royalty, but also prime ministers and a host of other famous and sometimes infamous people.

"Their mind reading act also brought them appearances in strange venues. Not the least of these was a demonstration of telepathy from air to ground with Billie flying at 1,500 feet in a Tiger Moth aircraft above an audience of more than 7,000 people.

"Then came a telepathy challenge between two radio stations; one in Exeter and the other in Plymouth. BBC TV followed with Rolf Harris presenting Billie and Trevor's act on a series of his Hey Presto, It's Rolf shows.

"Another of Billie's talents came to the fore when she found herself in demand to produce shows for theatres and other theatrical companies. She had an exceptional ability for writing scripts, teaching stage craft, and how to present a cabaret act. Pantomime companies also sought out her expertise in script writing.

"On her first reading rehearsals she would sit the company down and, being an experienced actress, she would then read the entire script herself, portraying each individual character.

"Together, Billie and Trevor formed Trevor George Entertainments in 1959. It was an agency which booked artistes into theatres, and also a production company presenting summer shows and pantomimes in many parts of the UK. The agency dealt with theatres from Brighton to Plymouth and theatre tours across Wales and the Midlands.

"In addition, for many years, the names of Billie and Trevor George became synonymous with productions at the Palace and Festival Theatres in Paignton, plus the Carlton in Teignmouth, the Prince of Wales in Colwyn Bay, the Mowlem in Swanage, the Dome, Brighton, the Esplanade in Bognor and many more.

"It was during this time that many influential showbusiness people realised how talented and versatile Billie was. As the driving force behind the agency, she produced the long-running music halls and revues in numerous Torbay hotels, plus an annual touring pantomime in South Wales and the Isle of Wight.

"It was Billie who wrote the scripts for these shows. She worked with and presented many of the great stars of the past, and a large number of today's established artistes have benefited from Billie's production expertise.

"In fact, Billie was instrumental in several of those established acts achieving genuine star status. Many others, besides, have been helped by Billie's freely given advice and guidance, thereby helping them to make a living in the business.

"Billie also took a personal interest in their well-being, and her family home was open house for all. Newcomers to the business frequently stayed with Billie and Trevor while they were set on the road to success. And to be invited to one of the Georges' house parties was an honour which was eagerly accepted.

"There will be few showbusiness people reading this tribute who have not been touched or helped by this loving, kind, talented woman."

Billie George died peacefully on February 2, at home, surrounded by her family. She was the mainstay of her husband and showbiz partner Trevor, daughters Anne and Linda and son David, plus five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.