She was also a regular presenter of lifestyle programmes such as Channel 4’s ‘A Houseful of Plants’ and BBC ‘Daytime Live.’ (Image: YouTube video ‘Play School with Floella Benjamin’ aired on BBC in 1984 ) Many dramas, comedy, current affairs and magazine programmes followed, including ‘The Gentle Touch’, ‘Angels’, Kids, ‘Bergerac’, and several Plays for Today. She went on to work with some of Britain’s top directors including Richard Eyre, Martyn Friend, Richard Stroud, Martin Campbell and Jim O’Brien. (Image: ‘ Giving back the love’ – Benjamin on TV in 1983. She then progressed to television drama, one of her notable early roles was in six episodes of ‘Within These Walls’ with Googie Withers. It all started in 1970 when she appeared in several successful West End shows including ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘The Black Mikado’ with Michael Denison and ‘The Husband in Law’ with Kenneth Williams. Over the last forty-seven years she has had a diverse and varied career in several sectors of the entertainment industry as an actress, presenter, writer, independent producer, businesswoman and media regulator. After leaving school at sixteen she spent three years in banking and accountancy, but that career path didn’t suit her effervescent personality and she soon found her way into the world of showbusiness. Floella is the first Caribbean person to receive the order, but she is sure she won't be the last.Floella Benjamin was born in Trinidad and raised in England. In 2022, it was one of Her Majesty the Queen’s last wishes to appoint Floella the prestigious Order of Merit, which is held by only twenty-four people. What Are You Doing Here? is her first adult autobiography, after previously writing her classic memoir Coming to England and acclaimed Sea of Tears. She was also appointed Chancellor of the University of Exeter until 2016. The book was adapted into an award-winning film for BBC Education. Floella has written thirty books, including Coming to England, which is used as a resource in schools in social and cross-curricular areas. Barrie Award by Action for Children's Arts, for her lasting contribution to children's lives through her art. In 2012 she was presented with the prestigious J. She was appointed a Baroness in the House of Lords in 2010. Her broadcasting work has been recognized with a Special Lifetime Achievement BAFTA and OBE. She is best known as a presenter of the iconic BBC children's television programmes Play School and Play Away, and she continues to make children's programmes.
She is an actress, presenter, writer, producer, working peer and an active advocate for the welfare and education of children. Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, was born in Trinidad in 1949 and came to England in 1960.
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