Geraldine James played the mother in Time of Your Life.
I still had Talk to Me on video so I played the cast list and I think you mean Anita Carey. Apart from lots of one or two episode appearances in everything from Corrie and Casualty, Heartbeat and probably most other dramas she was in I didn't Know You Cared 1975-76 about the Brandon Family.
thanks everyone! and yes,galltin, I looked her up and she was in Likely Lads which I think is what I must remember her from, it was one of my favourite shows. Thanks for solving this for me.