Names on the buses

655 Elizabeth Allan

776 Elizabeth Allan

Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1910-1990
Skegness-born Elizabeth Allan was one of Britain's most prolific actresses. She enjoyed a career that covered film, theatre and TV. Her parents initially disapproved of her choice of career, so Elizabeth worked as a kindergarten teacher. She later obtained a scholarship to the Old Vic training school in London, from where she graduated with honours. She was just 17 when she made her stage debut. She was 21 when she appeared in her first film, 'Alibi'. It was the first film to feature Agatha Christie's Inspector Hercule Poirot. Her talent turned heads, and she was quickly snapped up by MGM Studios and taken to Hollywood. Elizabeth went on to make her mark in several films. This included two Charles Dickens adaptations and the classic horror 'Mark of the Vampire' alongside Bela Lugosi. However, she found her roles were limited by her looks. She told a newspaper: ‘Because I was once an English school teacher and because I'm told I look like a shy, shrinking violet, I seem to be doomed forever to goody-goody roles. I want to be wicked.’ In 1939, Elizabeth stood up to MGM when she sued them for replacing her with other actresses in two films. She never worked in Hollywood again. Back in Britain, her star still shined. She performed in comedies, farces, adventure films and romantic dramas – except for a period in the Second World War, when she worked in a canteen. In the 1950s, she became a regular panelist on popular TV game show 'What's My Line'. She was named Great Britain's Top Female TV Personality of 1952. An accomplished pianist, Elizabeth also enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly tennis, golf and horse-riding. She lived on Hove seafront until her death.

655 Scania Omnidekka - carried name since delivery in September 2005, on METRO Line 49. Metro 49 branding removed October 2012. Bus sold in May 2025. Name reappeared on 776 ADL Enviro400 in December 2025.