Cleo Sylvestre. Photo: Angela Cobbinah

FOR International Women’s Day, may I offer the name of Cleo Sylvestre as a living inspiration who should be included in all of those top 100 lists published around this time of year.

To my mind, she should be seen as something of a national treasure and is far too often overlooked.

Her star has lit up the West End and Theatreland so often: to think she made her stage debut way back in 1967 alongside Alec Guinness and her last role on stage was opposite Michael Sheen at the National in Under Milk Wood in 2021.

I say that was the last time she was on stage – that’s not quite true actually. Harrington was delighted to find Cleo – now 77 – back in front of an audience and belting out blues songs in her other persona, the indomitable Honey B Mama, at an intimate little show last month.

More so because she suffered a stroke last year.

For all her glittering years as an actress, her roots are pure rock’n’roll.

At 17 she cut a single with the Rolling Stones when nobody had heard of them.

The infectious To Know Him Is To Love Him was always a good find for the seven-inch vinyl sifters in the Soho record shops.

“I have always wanted to be in a blues band and when I turned 70 I thought, I don’t want to be on my deathbed and not have done it,” she told us at the gig at the Kentish Town Stores.

She then launched into an energetic routine which included Professor Longhair’s cheeky Red Beans.

Spectacular!

Not that Cleo has given up acting. She’s recently been filming for a TV drama which should be on our screens later his year.

Here is an unsung talent and a joy to watch in full flow. Look out for more Honey B Mama gigs around London.