Pik-Sen Lim
Encyclopedia
Pik-Sen Lim is a Chinese-British
actress who has appeared on British television since the 1950s. She is best known for playing the character of Su-Lee, the Chinese Communist student in the British sitcom Mind Your Language
(1977–79).
Lim was born under the name of Lim Phaik Seng in Penang
, Malaysia, and was the daughter of the palm oil millionaire Lim Cheng Taik. She attended convent school in Penang, where she was nicknamed "Pixie". Against the wishes of her family, she moved to the United Kingdom
at the age of 16 to study at the London School of Dramatic Art
. Here, she changed her name because her friends would mispronounce "Phaik" as "fake".
In 1964, she appeared in the hospital drama series Emergency Ward 10
, playing a nurse. There she met scriptwriter Don Houghton
, whom she married. Her daughter by him, Sara Houghton, is also an actress, and they were once cast as mother and daughter in Three Thousand Troubled Threads. She also appeared in Don Houghton-scripted Doctor Who
serial The Mind of Evil
in 1971, and the first three seasons of the sitcom Mind Your Language
speaking Hokkien
as her Chinese language. Here, she had to speak in an exaggerated, stereotyped Chinese accent, despite the fact that her English is perfect.
Her later appearances are roles in the short-lived soap operas Albion Market
(1985) and Night and Day (2003), as well as Arabian Nights (2000), The Bill
(2005), and as a character in the comedy series Little Britain
(2004).
Pik-Sen Lim appeared on Casualty on 17 April 2010. She appears as the killer cleaning-lady in Johnny English Reborn
(2011).
British Chinese
British Chinese , including British-born Chinese are people of Chinese ancestry who were born in, or have migrated to, the United Kingdom. They are part of the Chinese diaspora, or overseas Chinese...
actress who has appeared on British television since the 1950s. She is best known for playing the character of Su-Lee, the Chinese Communist student in the British sitcom Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language is a British comedy television series, that premiered on ITV in late 1977. Produced by LWT and directed by Stuart Allen, it is set in an adult education college in London and focuses on the English as a Foreign Language class taught by Mr. Jeremy Brown, portrayed by Barry Evans,...
(1977–79).
Lim was born under the name of Lim Phaik Seng in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
, Malaysia, and was the daughter of the palm oil millionaire Lim Cheng Taik. She attended convent school in Penang, where she was nicknamed "Pixie". Against the wishes of her family, she moved to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
at the age of 16 to study at the London School of Dramatic Art
London School of Dramatic Art
The London School of Dramatic Art is an Acting School based in South Kensington in London. It is drama school in the UK which offers training for those intending to pursue a professional career.-The School:...
. Here, she changed her name because her friends would mispronounce "Phaik" as "fake".
In 1964, she appeared in the hospital drama series Emergency Ward 10
Emergency Ward 10
Emergency – Ward 10 is a British television series shown on ITV between 1957 and 1967. Like The Grove Family, a series shown by the BBC between 1954 and 1957, Emergency – Ward 10 is considered to be one of British television's first major soap operas.-Overview:The series was made by the ITV...
, playing a nurse. There she met scriptwriter Don Houghton
Don Houghton
Don Houghton was a British television screenwriter.Born in Paris, Houghton started writing for radio in 1951 before moving into film and television in 1958...
, whom she married. Her daughter by him, Sara Houghton, is also an actress, and they were once cast as mother and daughter in Three Thousand Troubled Threads. She also appeared in Don Houghton-scripted Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
serial The Mind of Evil
The Mind of Evil
The Mind of Evil is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 30 January to 6 March 1971.-Plot:...
in 1971, and the first three seasons of the sitcom Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language
Mind Your Language is a British comedy television series, that premiered on ITV in late 1977. Produced by LWT and directed by Stuart Allen, it is set in an adult education college in London and focuses on the English as a Foreign Language class taught by Mr. Jeremy Brown, portrayed by Barry Evans,...
speaking Hokkien
Hokkien
Hokkien is a Hokkien word corresponding to Standard Chinese "Fujian". It may refer to:* Hokkien dialect, a dialect of Min Nan Chinese spoken in Southern Fujian , Taiwan, South-east Asia, and elsewhere....
as her Chinese language. Here, she had to speak in an exaggerated, stereotyped Chinese accent, despite the fact that her English is perfect.
Her later appearances are roles in the short-lived soap operas Albion Market
Albion Market
Albion Market was a short-lived British soap opera, intended as a companion to Coronation Street on ITV.Coronation Street, ITV's perennial soap opera, celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 1985. Granada TV launched Albion Market in August of that year, six months after the BBC's EastEnders...
(1985) and Night and Day (2003), as well as Arabian Nights (2000), The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
(2005), and as a character in the comedy series Little Britain
Little Britain
Little Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on BBC radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas...
(2004).
Pik-Sen Lim appeared on Casualty on 17 April 2010. She appears as the killer cleaning-lady in Johnny English Reborn
Johnny English Reborn
Johnny English Reborn is a 2011 British spy comedy film parodying the James Bond secret agent genre and film franchise reboots. The film is the sequel to Johnny English , and stars Rowan Atkinson reprising his role as the title character and directed by Oliver Parker. The film has a slightly...
(2011).