Alyce was the third hostess on Sale of the Century, and Tony's final co-host. Being the hostess 'in the middle,' her biggest contribution to Sale's history, was giving it a smooth transition from its exuberant, show-driven era, to the conservative, game-driven one.Like her predecessors, Alyce had a background in entertainment and acting. She, however, used her physical appearance and attention to her 'hostess duties' as major ingredients for her work on the show. She did enough 'performing' and bantering, though, to prove that she didn't fit into the 'bimbo' category. She was regularly heard singing on the show, and, on one occasion, played a guitar when it was a prize in the gift shop. To Tony, her nickname was 'Sparky.'
Born on 19 December 1963, Alyce spent two years at Box Hill TAFE College, Melbourne, in a drama course, while incorporating dance, singing and music into her studies. She finished the course in 1982, and, in the same year, won the grand final of Search for a Star, gained her first theatrical role in the play Friends and Lovers, appeared in Toad of Toad Hall, and performed in comedy sketches for The Paul Hogan Show and The Daryl Somers Show.
1983 was another big year for her career development. She received training at the Conservatorium of Music, and gained a continuing role in Sons and Daughters. During her stint on Sale she played the lead role of Esther in Seven Little Australians at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre and performed in nightclubs with her band Alyce in Wunderland. The group had to make changes to its publicity posters, to assure patrons that the show was no pantomime! Naturally, she had to deal with the occasional heckler during these performances, but their 'lines' were seldom more creative than, "Show us your tits!" Then, one night, one man called out what was, in Alyce's mind, a classic, "Show us your Tony Barber!"
Since leaving the show, she played the park ranger in the children's drama series Animal Park, and had the role of Jen Handley in Neighbours. In 1993, she made a guest re-appearance as Sale hostess for one week, and, in 1995, played Judy Peacock in My Lovely Girl, one of the Halifax fp telemovies. She also appeared in the 1998 Logie Awards, accompanying Frank Holden in his tribute to Johnny O'Keefe.
Visit Alyce's official website or visit an unofficial fansite