Forgive me for the silence, you knew was going on but I had to keep schtum. Contrary to what you might think, moving too quickly from one continuing drama to another is a big deal. Soap is real! So my task was to make Joanie history and reinvent Denise O. Bye bye Joanie, I loved playing you.



Step 1: Corrie archives helped me reconnect by sending me vids (see 'Media') and stills. This is who she was 'then'.


 
Step 2: My job is to work out who she is now. How does she feel inside?
This passage rocked my world. 

Mothers Who Abandon Their Children

"I will never abandon my children, but I will say that when a woman is sick inside with grief and hurt and there seems to be no end to it, when she feels like she wishes to sleep and not wake up, when she can barely breathe and cries behind closed doors, it may very well be better for her to leave. This is no life for a child. That mother that leaves is desperate, survival kicks in, and although she loves her children, our OWN nature is to survive, so sometimes unfortunately that means running, and running fast and far before its too late. Self preservation is in our instinct. A hurting heart can drown in tears before anyone knows the wiser. Don't ever assume you know why a person has left or that they are selfish or do not love the entire family. Some grief is as bad as death, it kills the person inside, swallows them up."



Hairdresser David Walls has overseen all my characters - including Hazel - since Denise O in '92. But merely changing hair won't do. I worked out, I fasted, I talked to Corrie's producer Kate Oates about what she needed (thank you so  for trusting me Kate), studied the scripts, worked with the brilliant Corrie creatives. And here's the result...

How did I do?

I've played Bolton Octagon twice, both times premieres by established writers. First was by Henry Livings - first time I played a northern lass and just a year before I landed Corrie. And now I'm back in a new play by Timberlake Wertenbaker, seen here with long time chum Cathy Tyson.



Don't know why the north feels like home to this southern lass but it does. I love the West Pennines. We've been drubbed in the press which isn't right if you go by our audiences who laugh and clap and seem to have a really good time. Bad time for a left wing play I guess. Here's a local revue that raves - only on till June 3 so if you fancy it, don't miss out! 
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15287710.REVIEW__Octagon_Theatre_s_Winter_Hill_is_a_towering_production/

I'm going to have some real exciting news later this month - so watch this space! Meanwhile, here's me enjoying downtime with some soap chums.



That's Dan and Rob, here's me and Rich on my boat Sunya. Yeah, yeah, I know we had to get a tow in the end, but only after a fab sail Richard Hawley!

What's coming up next? Rumours abound.
Well, there are two exciting jobs in the pipeline but it's too early to broadcast.
So watch this space...

What I can broadcast a gig I've got coming up this Sunday.

Bar Broadway
SUNDAY MAR 5th
10 Steine St
Brighton BN2 1TY

Joanie may be gone but Denise plays on, to bring you a personal collection of upbeat pop and blues to make you zing. As colourful as Denise's characters, from Tell Him to Gilbert 'o' Sullivan, there's something to make everyone swing. Joined by Ruth Spencer with Loose Screw pal Dedi Madden on exquisite guitar. Please help me spread the word chums! Hope you can come! 

 

So my Emmerdale Joanie tragically died of heart break in the Dingle van. I tell ya! #nevertanglewithadingle. I should know better. Bye bye lovely friends, lovely job. Thank you loyal fans for your outpouring of support all over social media. I'm really touched. Enjoy the new stories as they play out and please root for - well all my lovely pals, but especially my pal Huey, who plays Kyle. Proud to have been a part.

Welcome to my new website! I think (I hope) I'm in charge of this one, so with luck and your help I can keep it fresh, up-to-date and interactive. Take a trawl around and let me know what you think...

My news is this summer I sailed by little 26' sailboat south from North Wales, round Lands End and home to Brighton. What an adventure! Here I am hanging over the bow filming a pod of dolphins in the English Channel.

Now I'm back in Leeds filming Emmerdale. Great storylines coming up for Mrs Dingle so watch this space.

More on that soon, meanwhile enjoy the Autumn sun.

Love Denise xx