Katy Manning's journey as an actress began at the prestigious Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where she honed her craft. Her big break came in 1971 when she joined the iconic British television series Doctor Who as the companion Jo Grant, a role she played for three seasons alongside the esteemed Jon Pertwee as the Doctor until 1973.
Following her stint on Doctor Who, Manning hosted her own show, Serendipity, which focused on arts and crafts. She then appeared in a range of popular television shows, including Armchair Theatre, Whodunnit?, and Target, among others.
In 1982, Manning made the bold decision to relocate to Australia to raise her young twin children. She continued to pursue her acting career, taking part in numerous stage productions, including "Run For Your Wife" and "Educating Rita". After several years in Australia, Manning moved to the USA but continued to return to Australia regularly to participate in stage plays.
In 2001, Manning began hosting her own show, "Preview with Katy Manning", a position she held until 2008. In 2010, she reprised her role as Jo Jones (née Grant) in the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Manning has been blessed with two children, twins born in 1978, with her partner Dean Harris. She also made headlines in 1976 when she posed naked with a Dalek for the soft porn magazine "Girl Illustrated".
Since 1989, Manning has been in a long-term relationship with Barry Crocker. Despite her many accomplishments, Manning remains most famous for her iconic role in Doctor Who and has contributed to numerous documentaries and DVD commentaries connected to her time on the series.
After relocating back to the UK in 2009, Manning has continued to appear on television and in both feature films and short films, cementing her status as a beloved and enduring figure in the entertainment industry.
