For 70 years, actress and singer Sheila Mathews has been entertaining audiences.

But when she steps on to the stage at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne next month, it will be one of the hardest moments of her career.

Sheila, 73, from Southwick, has played a variety of roles in the theatre and on television during a long and colourful career which began when she was a child.

She performed for the Queen Mother in a Royal Variety Performance, co-starred with Frankie Howerd at the London Palladium, saw her name in lights after taking over from Lauren Bacall as the lead in a West End show, worked with Dame Anna Neagle and a host of other well known names, and appeared in the old television soap favourite Crossroads.

But ten years ago Sheila retreated from the showbusiness world which had been her life when her husband, the actor, director and theatre set designer Charles Reading, became frail.

Charles, known in the business as Mr Palladium, died in May last year aged 88 after suffering a heart attack.

Since then Sheila has been trying to come to terms with his death.

The couple were married for 42 years and Charles helped to shape Sheila's career.

She valued his extensive knowledge of the theatre and always sought his advice on roles she was offered before accepting them.

She said: "Charles guided me through everything and when he died it was like losing my right arm.

"In all our years together I never made any major decisions without consulting him.

"It has been a struggle in the last year to come to terms with life without him."

Now, in the best traditions of the old showbusiness clich, Sheila has decided the show must go on.

At an age when most people are slowing down, Sheila is preparing to tread the boards again.

On August 2 she will begin a six-week run in Eastbourne in one of her favourite shows, Me and My Girl.

The part of Maria, Duchess of Dene, is one Sheila knows inside out after appearing in the London version of the musical for two-and-a-half years in the Eighties, alongside Karl Howman, Bonnie Langford, and the late Patrick Cargill.

But this time Charles will not be in the first night audience as he has always been in the past, supporting Sheila and willing her to do well.

It means the opening night will be a difficult hurdle for her.

Sheila said: "I lost all my confidence and it was only the marvellous support of my daughters, my grandchildren and my friends which got me through.

"I'm terrified in a way at the prospect of going on stage again.

"When I was offered the part I was very unsure but my family and friends encouraged me.

"I know Charles would want me to do it but I shall miss him terribly on the first night.

"I have never done a first night without him there and it will feel very strange."

Sheila made her first appearance on stage at the age of three in a dance school production at the Alexandra Palace in north London.

Another early childhood part involved leaping out of a giant cake at midnight on New Year's Eve at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

After leaving school, she went on to appear in pantomimes and summer shows.

She met Charles when they were both working in Blackpool.

But they did not get together until several years later after Sheila's first marriage had failed.

When ITV was launched in the Fifties, she was given her own TV series called Friday's Girl and Charles called to congratulate her after a show.

Sheila went on to work regularly in television, appearing as motel boss David Hunter's girlfriend, Laura Marshall, in Crossroads.

Charles, meanwhile, earned his nickname of Mr Palladium after staging performances by stars including Judy Garland and Danny Kaye at the famous London theatre.

He also directed Prince Philip when he appeared in a film about the work of the United Nations Children's Fund.

He sent Sheila a message of sympathy when Charles died.

Sheila's home, which she shares with her daughter, is filled with Charles' illustrations for his lavish set designs as well as theatrical prints and paintings.

The couple moved from London to Sussex 14 years ago and Sheila has lived in Southwick for the last four years.

At 73, Sheila looks years younger and puts it down to a weekly tap dancing class, exercise, fresh air and a nightly gin and tonic.

Today she will embark on her new challenge as she meets the rest of the cast and begins rehearsals for Me and My Girl.

Sheila last appeared at the Devonshire Park Theatre eight years ago in a show written by her husband, alongside her friend, the late Evelyn Laye.

She said: "What helped me to make up my mind about this part, strangely enough, was the letter from Prince Philip.

I thought of him and the Queen Mother at nearly 100, and thought they are still going strong and I can still do it. too.

"I'm looking forward to starting rehearsals. After ten years away it will be like going back to my roots.

"Because I know the show and the part so well, it will be like putting on an old pair of slippers.

"The duchess is a fabulous part and I had a ball playing it in the West End. She's a dragon but with a great sense of style.

"I know Charles would have said, 'go for it girl'.

"He always said the greatest medicine is theatre. laughter is what keeps people young."

Me and My Girl runs at the Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne, from August 2 to September 9.