Digitalis lutea maybe, although the leaves look a little pale......

tricyrtis or toad lily, the leaves are right but the flower heads that are forming may not be.

not digitalis though.

Deffo not Tricyrtis - the leaves form on a single 180 degree plane, not "spiralled". The flower head too (as you say) is all wrong.
It is a dead ringer for my D.lutea, except for the paleness of the foliage.

I don't know the Latin name but I think it looks like foxglove.

It might be Paris Polyphylla

http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/plants/plant-portraits/Paris/69/

It grows from a rhizome, and is related to the Trillium so likes the same conditions dampish shady places.

It does look like D.Lutea and being behind another plant may account for the paleness of the leaves.

Reminds me of Smilacena racemosa.

Thank you everyone! I think Surreylad is correct in saying that the foliage is pale because this plant was completely hidden until yesterday! I shall repost when it blooms! Seems as if the jury is still out on this one :) I appreciate all of you taking the time to write. M.

it looks nothinging like .my D lutea as the leaves have a toothed edge to them, time will tell when it flowers

post another photo when it does please

How odd!
Just checked mine which has smooth leaves.
However, it's not D.lutea - there's no basal growth!
Is this the one that has everyone stumped (as was mooted a few weeks ago)?

Meanie, does the purple colored root stems give any clue? Just wondering!

I can only relate to the plants that I have or are familiar with, so not really.....
The lack of basal growth makes me think that it is a bulb or tuber of some kind.
Somebody will come along with an answer though......