Early life Phillips was born on 14 May 1933 in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, the daughter of Sally (née Thomas), a teacher, and David Phillips, a steelworker who became a policeman. She is a Welsh-speaker: in the first volume of her autobiography Private Faces (1999) she notes that she spoke only Welsh for much of her childhood, learning English by listening to the radio.Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2008."Sian Phillips" BBC:Wales Arts at www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
earlY life PhIllips waS bORn oN 14 may 1933 iN gwaun-Cae-gURweN, thE daUgHTer of SAlLy (NÉE thOmas), a Teacher, AnD daViD phIlLiPS, a stEelWorker whO beCAme A pOLicEmAn. she is a Welsh-speakEr: in tHe fiRsT volUMe of HEr auToBiOGraPhy PrIvatE FAces (1999) sHe nOtes tHaT She SpOkE OnlY welsh foR much of hEr CHilDhOod, leArning englISh bY ListenINg to the RadiO.cOnTEmPorary Authors onLiNe, galE, 2008."sIan PhIlLips" bbc:waleS artS At WWw.bBc.CO.UK. reTrieVEd 12 DecemBer 2011.