Jill Halfpenny

Jill Halfpenny is one of the most recognised and beloved faces on British television, having burst onto the scene in 1989 as Nicola Dobson in Byker Grove. Since then, she has gone on to star in Coronation Street, EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Babylon, Three Girls, The Drowning, The Holiday – which received the highest viewing figures among all competitors of its time slot – and The Long Shadow, directed by Lewis Arnold of Broadchurch fame. Jill also won the second series of Strictly Come Dancing and was crowned 'Champion of Champions' in 2004. Jill lives in Newcastle with her son.