Location: Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Swindon
Artist: John Clinch
Diana Dors was an English born actress, certainly the heart of British post- war movie industry and has long since become one of the country's best known and well-loved actresses.
With ambition that would take her to the highest heights, she spent her scool years writing essays on how she would become a famous, glamorous film star. During the Second World War, the school girl entertained troops in concerts. By the age of 14, she had convinced her parents to let her pursue a career in the entertainment industry. After lying about her age, she became the youngest ever student at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), she excelled in her first year and started to land small roles in films.
in 1948, she found her first major role in a film 'Here Comes The Huggets'. To say she was on a role would be an understatement. She was called and known as Britain's answer to Marilyn Monroe, she quickly escalated to becoming the highest paid actress in British cinema which also allowed her to become the youngest ever registered owner of a Rolls Royce.
"I was the first home-grown sex symbol, rather like Britains naughty seaside postcards. When Marilyn Monroe's first film was shown here (The Asphalt Jungle, 1950) A coloumist actually wrote: "How much like our Diana Dors is she?" - Diana Dors
Diana Dors (1931-1984) was an English film actress and singer, noticed as a blonde bombshell in the style of American Marilyn Monroe. In 1991, British sculptor John Clinch was commissioned to make a bronze figure of Swindon’s most famous daughter who died of cancer 7 years earlier.
The statue is an exaggerated depiction of Diana in her evening gown, honouring her womanhood and female power. The statue can be seen at the Shaw Ridge Complex in Swindon, where it beckons all corners of the park.
