Julie Hesmondhalgh is a British actress and narrator who played the role of Hayley Cropper on the soap opera Coronation Street for fifteen years. Julie was the first transsexual character ever played in British television history. She served her role from 1998 to January 2014 and successfully captured the heart of British television viewers.
On the night of Hayley’s final appearance in Coronation Street in January 2014, Julie won the Best Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards. While she also won the Best Actress award at the British Soap Awards for portraying Hayley Cropper.
Quick Facts About Julie Hesmondhalgh
| Name | Julie Hesmondhalgh |
| Birthday | February 25, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Accrington, United Kingdom |
| Age | 52 |
| Profession | Actress |
| Source of Income | Acting |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 ft. and 3 inches |
| Father | John Hesmondhalgh |
| Husband | Ian Kershaw |
| Daughters | Martha Mo Kershaw & Lyss Kershaw |
| Education | Accrington & Rossendale College |
| Acting Training | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
| Known For | Playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street (1998 – 2014) |
Julie Hesmondhalgh Has Two Daughters: Martha Mo Kershaw and Lyss Kershaw
Julie Claire Hesmondhalgh and husband Ian Kershaw have two daugthers, Martha Mo Kershaw and Lyss Kershaw. Her daughters are 21 and 18 years old respectively.
Julie was born and raised in Accrington, Lancashire, to her parents, John and Maureen, in the 70s. She attended Moorhead High School and had a strong social conscience. She dreamt of becoming a social activist. Before attending London school, she studied Theatre Studies at Rossendale College, which eventually helped her land her first TV role in The Bill.
Julie And Ian Have Two Daughters
Martha Mo Kershaw is the eldest daughter of actress Julie Hesmondhalgh. Martha was born on October 1, 2001, to her parents, Ian and Julie. She is now 21. In late 2000, Julie took a maternity leave from ITV’s soap opera Coronation Street for one year. It was the time she was pregnant with her first daughter Martha Mo Kershaw.
She grew up in Glossop, Derbyshire, with her younger sister Lyss Kershaw. Julie’s daughters have managed to stay out of the limelight as they lead a normal lifestyle. The youngest daughter of Julie and Ian was born in 2004, three years after their first child. Her name is Lyss Kershaw, and she is now 18 years old.
Meet Julie’s Eldest Daughter Martha Kershaw is 21 years old
Julie Hesmondhalgh’s daughter Martha Kershaw currently resides in Manchester, United Kingdom, and according to her Facebook profile, she’s not dating anyone at the moment. Her relationship status is single. The 21 years old seems outgoing person.
She loves to hang out with both of her grandmothers. Her paternal grandmother is Joan Kershaw and her maternal grandmother is Maureen Hesmondhalgh.
Martha is an aspiring writer; as seen on one of her Facebook posts, she said she wrote 22 poems and an article ‘Bell Hooks’ and ‘All About Love’ in an intersectional feminist magazine of the University of Warwick.
Martha is closely associated with the feminist group and is an active contributor to educating people on the social, political, and economical nuances of feminism. Like her mother Julie, Martha is also involved in humanitarian work and doesn’t hesitate to fight for the cause she believes in. Furthermore, Martha is really close to her father Ian Kershaw who she considers her best friend.
Her Husband Ian Kershaw Is A Screenwriter
Julie and Ian currently reside in Tameside. Julie Hesmondhalgh is married to an award-winning television, theatre, and radio writer, Ian Kershaw.
Ian was born in 1969 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and attended the Welsh College of Speech and Drama. At the beginning of his career, Ian was more into acting, but with time he began to do more writing. Ian starred as a guest in the five episodes of Coronation Street, playing Malcolm Bradford, Mick Crompton, and Ian Thompson.
How Did Julie Hesmondhalgh Meet Her Husband?
The pair hit it off quickly after meeting each other for the first time as the cast of Coronation Street. Julie’s husband, Ian, an actor in the soap opera in 1998, met his life partner and had children together right off the bat.
Coronation Street legend moved in with the English screenwriter just one week after going on their first date. Julie got pregnant with her first child within six weeks. They’ve been together ever since. Julie ran down her memory lane with Daily Mail and explained her speedy romance with Ian Kershaw at the time. Corrie’s favorite made a bold move and asked Kershaw to marry her and have a kid before the next Christmas after the first few dates.
The couple got married in June 2003.
She Played High-Profile Role On Coronation Street
Hesmondhalgh played high-profile storylines in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street during her time. Julie captured her character in the heavy storylines, including the identity transitioning and having to deal with pancreatic cancer. She did a great job playing Hayley’s role.
Julie told Daily Mail that her character in Coronation Street was only meant to last for two weeks, and she never imagined it would go on for 15 years.
Julie Hesmondhalgh Was Born in Accrington
As she began developing her interest in performing, she enrolled in one of the prestigious art schools in London. She joined the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1988 and completed her education in 1991.
Interestingly, Sons of Anarchy’s star Benito Martinez shared the same class with Julie Hesmondhalgh while at the London art school. After the training at the drama school, Julie became an integral part of London-based independent theatre, Arts Threshold. She practiced and improved her skills at the theatre while participating in several stage performances in the 90s.
Her Formative Years In Acting
Initially in her acting career, Julie starred as Rose Turnbull in the television mini-series The Dwelling Place, as a nursing home helper in the series Screen One, as Jo the Doctor in The Bill for three years from 1994, and as Wendy Walker guest-appearing in Dalziel and Pascoe. Furthermore, she made her directorial debut while working with English theatre director Rufus Norris.
Julie made her Coronation Street debut in 1998, playing Hayley Cropper Patterson. In 2000, she took maternity leave from soap operas for about a year as she gave birth to her first daughter Martha Mo Kershaw. Again in 2007, she took another year of leave to spend more time with her daughter Martha and better half Ian.
She Has A Strong Social Conscience
Julie has made a positive impact on society with her praiseworthy humanitarian work. The British audience felt a close connection with her character in Coronation Street’s soap opera as she did herself. Julie Hesmondhalgh is a patron of several charities.
Julie & Husband Ian Kershaw Won £20k For Maundy Relief
Likewise, in 2011 she starred on ITV’s The Cube to fundraise for the Accrington-based anti-poverty organization Maundy Relief. As a result, she could win 20,000 euros for the charity and help support the livelihood of those in need.
Then, in December 2014, Julie and her husband Ian Kershaw appeared on the ITV game show All Mr & Mrs. In the game show, the couple won 20,000 euros which they donated to the non-profit anti-poverty organization Maundy Relief.
Some FAQs
How many daughters does Julie Hesmondhalgh have?
Julie Hesmondhalgh has two daughters with husband Ian Kershaw.
How old is Julie Hesmondhalgh daughter Martha Mo Kershaw?
Julie Hesmondhalgh daughter Martha Mo Kershaw is 21 years old.
Who is Julie Hesmondhalgh husband?
Julie Hesmondhalgh’s husband is Ian Kershaw, who is a British television, radio, and theatre screenwriter.
Who played hayley in Coronation Street?
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh played the role of Hayley in Coronation Street.