Annie Wallace

Annie Wallace (born 6 May 1965) is a Scottish actress, best known for playing Sally St. Claire in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks for nine years from 2015 - 2024. She was the first transgender person to portray a regular transgender character in British soap opera history.

Life and career Wallace was previously a member of the National Youth Theatre in 1981, but she temporarily stopped acting to work in computer science and sound engineering. She spent eighteen months as a research assistant for the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, from 1998-2000, where she advised for and inspired the character of Hayley Patterson, played by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Inspired by her time at ITV Granada, she auditioned successfully for the Manchester School of Theatre in 2001, graduating in 2004. She then appeared in various Manchester theatre productions, including Withnail and I and Wyrd Sisters.

In 2011, Wallace appeared in an episode of Shameless as school headmistress Miss Heller.

Wallace is also a musician, with two albums written and recorded with collaborator John Beresford.

She has also worked on several podcast comedy series, as well as sound and video design for various theatrical productions.

On 9 October 2015, it was announced that she would be joining the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, in a new regular role as Sally St. Claire. Wallace made her debut appearance on-screen on 29 October 2015.

On 5 January 2018, Wallace took part in an edition of Celebrity Mastermind, where her specialist subject was "Doctor Who – 1970–1980". She came in second place with 21 points, losing to journalist Martin Bell with 24 points. Her chosen charity was Mermaids.

On 27 May 2023, she appeared on Pointless Celebrities, partnering with ex-Hollyoaks actor Devon Anderson, and managed to get through to the head-to-head section, but did not advance to the final.

She departed Hollyoaks on 11 September 2024, along with several other cast members, when Channel 4 cut the episodes from five per week to three, requiring cuts to the cast, crew and production staff.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2011 Shameless Miss Heller Episode: "Beginnings and Ends" 2013 Dream On Barmaid Film 2015–2024, 2026 Hollyoaks Sally St. Claire Regular role

Awards and nominations On 15 November 2015, she was placed at number 17 on the Rainbow List, published by The Independent on Sunday; a list of the most influential openly LGBTI individuals in the United Kingdom, published annually.

On 25 June 2016, Wallace was placed at number 39 on the Pride Power List, published by Out News Global as part of Pride in London; another list of in celebration of the achievements of 100 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Britain, voted for by the public.

On 16 September 2016, she won The National Diversity Awards "Celebrity of the Year" award, at Liverpool Cathedral. On the same day she was placed at No.38 on the DIVA Power List.

On 5 October 2016, she was nominated in the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2016 in the category of "Best Actress - Television" for her role in Hollyoaks; the first ever British transgender actress to be nominated for a BAFTA award.

On 2 October 2021 she was presented with the Judges Award for Outstanding Trans Activism at the Proud Scotland Awards.

On 26 April 2024, Wallace received a special honour at the DIVA Magazine Awards, celebrating their 30th anniversary. The honour was for her 30 years of activism, her advisory work on Coronation Street, and her work on Hollyoaks.

Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result 2016 Sparkle National Transgender Awards "Trans* Person in the Media/TV of the Year" Hollyoaksas Sally St. Claire 2016 The National Diversity Awards "Celebrity of the Year" 2016 TV Choice Awards "Best Soap Newcomer" 2016 Icon Awards "Cultural Icon of the Year" 2016 Digital Spy Soap Awards "Biggest Unsung Hero" 2016 BAFTA Scotland Awards 2016 "Best Actress - Television" 2017 British LGBT Awards "LGBT+ Celebrity Rising Star" 2018 TRIC Awards "Best Soap Actor" 2021 Proud Scotland Awards "The Judges Award" for Outstanding Trans Activism 2024 DIVA Awards 30th Anniversary Honouree for Acting and Campaigning