Velile Tshabalala
| Velile Tshabalala | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1984 (age 27–28) Whitechapel, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2003–present |
Velile Tshabalala (born 1984)[1][2] is an English actress, known for portraying Kareesha Lopez in Kerching! and Rosita in the 2008 Doctor Who special, "The Next Doctor".
Contents |
[edit] Background
Born in Whitechapel, London, Tshabalala was raised in Ilford.[3] She is of Zimbabwean descent.[2] Her father is a mechanical engineer and her mother is a health visitor.[2] She has a sister, and two brothers[1]
Tshabalala trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School,[3] where she attended weekend classes from the age of fourteen.[2]
[edit] Career
Tshabalala made her professional debut at the age of eighteen in the CBBC sitcom Kerching!.[4] She played Kareesha Lopez, one half of the Chill Out Grill's waitress staff, who did very little work and were stereotypical teenage girls who spent their time talking about boyfriends, money, make-up and their nails. She also played several roles in all three series of the BBC Three sketch comedy Tittybangbang, including that of Carol Booth's daughter, Leslie-Marie, and Melanie, one of the three television-loving layabouts who speak in thick Jamaican accents.
In January 2008 Tshabalala played a librarian in an episode of ChuckleVision, "Jumping Jackpot". She co-starred in that year's Doctor Who Christmas special, "The Next Doctor", playing Rosita, alongside David Tennant, David Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan. The episode was broadcast on BBC One on Christmas Day.[5]
Tshabalala has also appeared in the 2004 short film Streets, playing a prostitute. She made her pantomime debut in the 2008 production of Dick Whittington's Cat at the Compass Theatre, Ickenham.[6]
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Kerching! | Kareesha Lopez | Sitcom |
| 2004 | Streets | Prostitute | Short film |
| 2006 | Tittybangbang | Various characters | Sketch comedy |
| 2008 | ChuckleVision | Librarian - Jumping Jackpot (2008) |
Children's television series |
| Katy Brand's Big Ass Show | Various characters | Sketch comedy | |
| Doctor Who The Next Doctor | Rosita | Christmas special | |
| 2009 | The Legend of Dick and Dom - Series Two | Cheryl | 1 episode |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Martin, Will (26 November 2008). "Velile Tshabalala (Doctor Who) Interview". LastBroadcast.co.uk. http://www.lastbroadcast.co.uk/tv/v/7517-velile-tshabalala-doctor-who-interview.html. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ a b c d Collins, Robert (16 December 2008). "Doctor Who: Velile Tshabalala". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3796265/Doctor-Who-Velile-Tshabalala.html. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ a b "Former toilet cleaner Velile Tshabalala on landing starring role in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special". Daily Mirror. 23 December 2008. http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2008/12/23/former-toilet-cleaner-velile-tshabalala-on-landing-starring-role-in-this-year-s-doctor-who-christmas-special-115875-20990697/. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Hewitt, Phil (24 September 2008). "Who's that girl? New assistant for the Doctor lands in West Sussex". West Sussex Gazette. http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/10715/Whos-that-girl-Time-Lords.4523954.jp. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Wilkes, Neil (17 December 2008). "Velile Tshabalala ('Doctor Who')". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a138789/velile-tshabalala-doctor-who.html. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
- ^ Coombs, Dan (16 December 2008). "Who's that girl?". Uxbridge Gazette. http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-lifestyle/whats-on-uxbridge/theatre-uxbridge/2008/12/16/who-s-that-girl-113046-22492628/. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
