Catherine Ann "Katy" Manning (born 14 October 1946, Guildford, Surrey, England) is an English actress best known for her part as the companion Jo Grant in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. She has also made many theatre appearances, and is now an Australian citizen. In 2009 Manning moved back to the UK to pursue new acting work and currently lives in London.

Biography

Manning was born with myopia, commonly known as nearsighted or shortsighted, which caused numerous injuries during the filming of Doctor Who. She has stated, "Once I tried to take the wrong children home from school!"

Manning has twins (a son Jonathan and a daughter Georgina) born in 1979, with partner Dean Harris. The children were born premature and suffered health issues, which caused her to move to Australia where she met her long term partner, Barry Crocker.

In the 2012 Radio Times's interview Manning said she returned to London three years earlier although there was no mention of any break-up in their relationship.

"We've been together 26 years although we don't live together now. When you get older, you get to a point in your relationship that way outweighs all that needy s**t. I'm not a needy woman. I don't rely on other people for anything much. Relationships that last are ones where you accept the changes in each other, and can laugh. Life doesn't get easier but it does get funnier," she said.