The daughter of the composer Herbert Howells (1892-1983), her father
contracted Graves Disease before she was born in 1915, a potentially
fatal illness. He was the first in his country to receive radium
treatment and survived almost 70 years.
During the Ashes series, she revealed that at the age of 16 she had been selected to play cricket for the England Women's team, but had never played because she was thought to be too young.
Her favorite stage roles were Judy in "Frieda", Gabby in "The Petrified Forest" and Nina in "The Seagull".
Educated at St Paul's Girls School and studied for the stage with Anthony Hawtrey at the Dundee Repertory Theatre.
Was an active supporter of the annual Petworth Festival.