Maureen Lipman was guest speaker at the sell-out Central London launch of a charity for children and young adults with communication difficulties.

The actress regaled supporters of Conquer and Learn with tales of her work and family, including an anecdote about her mother losing a crown in her tooth while dining with Princess Anne.

Linda Sharpe, chair of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue’s social and catering committee, who arranged the event, told the JC: “If you can’t communicate, you can have all the degrees in the world but you won’t get far.”

Conquer and Learn was started by Ethan Greenwood, whose mother is a friend of Mrs Sharpe’s. He has suffered communication and learning problems but has been through university and is now successfully employed.