Jacques started her career in 1944 with an appearance at the Players' Theatre in London, but came to national prominence through her appearances on three highly popular radio series on the BBC: with Tommy Handley on "It's That Man Again"; with ventriloquist Peter Brough on "Educating Archie"; and then with Tony Hancock on "Hancock's Half Hour". After the Second World War Jacques made her cinematic debut in "Green for Danger" (1946), in which she had a brief, uncredited role. From 1958 to 1974 she appeared in 14 "Carry On" films, playing various roles including the formidable hospital matron. On television she had a long professional partnership with Eric Sykes, with whom she co-starred in his long-running series "Sykes" and "Sykes and a...". The role endeared her to the public and the two became staples of British television.