Johnson's first professional acting role came in May 1961, when she was 24, in a television series titled ''Here's Harry
. She continued in the show until 1964. Subsequent roles included Family Solicitor
(1961) and The Referees
(1961). Johnson first appeared in a few episodes of the ITV television soap opera Coronation Street'' in 1972 as a tipsy woman and in 1976 as Brenda Holden, before being cast as
Eunice Gee in 1981, a role she would play with recurring appearances until 1999. In the 1980s, Johnson worked with
Victoria Wood, appearing in several episodes of her shows
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, as well as
Victoria Wood Presents. In 1997, Johnson appeared in the
West End theatre revival of
Chicago as Mama Morton. She also appeared in theatre productions of
Follies and
Gypsy. Later in 2003, Johnson was cast as
Pearl Ladderbanks in the ITV soap opera
Emmerdale, although due to the number of episodes per week of
Brookside being reduced in its later months, her last appearances as Brigid aired after she had already been seen on screen as Pearl. Johnson played the role of Pearl until March 2020. ==Personal life==