Biography
Janet Davies was an English actress. Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, she trained as a shorthand typist and worked as a secretary for theatrical agencies, including that of Ann Callender, wife of Dad's Army co-creator David Croft. She began her acting career in the 1950s and appeared in numerous television roles from the 1960s onwards.
Davies is best known for playing the recurring character Mrs. Mavis Pike, mother of Private Pike, in 30 episodes of the BBC sitcom Dad's Army (1968–1977). She also appeared in series including All Creatures Great and Small (1978), Open All Hours (1982), Pride and Prejudice (1980) and The Citadel (1983), as well as episodes of Last of the Summer Wine, Are You Being Served? and The Professionals. She was married to actor Ian Gardiner from 1954 until her death in 1986.
