Sherrie Hewson

Sherrie Hewson (born Sherrie Lynn Hutchinson; 17 September 1950) is an English actress, television personality and writer. She is known for her roles as Maureen Holdsworth in Coronation Street (1993–1997, 2006), Virginia Raven in Crossroads (2001–2003), Lesley Meredith in Emmerdale (2004–2006), Joyce Temple-Savage in Benidorm (2012–2018) and Martha Blake in Hollyoaks (2024–2025).

Hewson appeared as Doreen Nesbitt (1979-1980) and Mary Henshaw in In Loving Memory (1984–1986) and as Jean in Barbara (1999–2003) on television, and has starred in the films Carry On Behind (1975), The Slipper and the Rose (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). She was a panellist on the ITV talk show Loose Women (2003–2017) and came sixth place in the Channel 5 reality show Celebrity Big Brother (2015). Hewson has also written three books including a fiction book and a cookery book.

Early life Born in Beeston, near Nottingham, Hewson was brought up in a show-business family; her father Ronald was a singer and her mother Joy was a model. Hewson began attending the local dance and dramatics school at the age of three. She then attended Dorothy Grants High School for Girls in Beeston, although after the family had moved to a large manor house in Burton Joyce, Hewson completed her primary education at the village school.

Aged twelve, Hewson was enrolled at The Rodney School, a boarding school in nearby Kirklington. Already a member of the Burton Joyce Players, Hewson attended the Midland Academy, studying drama and poetry, before she was granted a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where she attended from age 18. While studying at RADA, Hewson shared a flat with fellow students Sharon Maughan and Louise Jameson. Noel's House Party and Call My Bluff among others. In 1999, Hewson was cast as Jean in the sitcom Barbara.

In 2001, Hewson joined the cast of another soap opera, as receptionist Virginia Raven in the revival of Crossroads. In 2003, Hewson became a regular panellist on Loose Women, an ITV daytime programme. On 3 August 2016, Hewson announced her departure from the show, with her last episode aired on 5 September 2016. In 2004, Hewson appeared in a celebrity edition of makeover show 10 Years Younger and underwent cosmetic surgery to her face as well as a hair and fashion overhaul. In 2004, Hewson joined the cast of Emmerdale as Lesley Meredith, mother of fishmonger Simon. She departed the show in May 2006. In 2007, Hewson made a number of non-acting television appearances. As well as Loose Women, she appeared in Celebrity MasterChef, Dickinson's Real Deal and was runner-up in Soapstar Superchef, partnered with her former Emmerdale co-star Julia Mallam. Hewson also appeared on a celebrity special of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

In 2012, Hewson joined the cast of the sitcom Benidorm. From its fifth series, she appeared as Joyce Temple-Savage, the manager of the Solana Hotel. On 18 January 2015, Hewson took part in celebrity talent show Get Your Act Together with plate spinner illusionist Andrew Van Buren. In August 2015, Hewson was a contestant in the sixteenth series of the Channel 5 television show Celebrity Big Brother. She reached the final on Day 29, and finished in sixth place. In February 2016, Hewson was cast as Mrs. Slocombe in a remake of the BBC's classic sitcom Are You Being Served?, taking over the part made famous by the late Mollie Sugden. Only the pilot of this revival was made. In 2018, she took part in ITV's 100 Years Younger in 21 Days.

In 2024, Hewson was cast in a regular role in Channel 4's Hollyoaks as Martha Blake, the estranged grandmother of established character Sienna Blake. In 2025 it was announced that Hewson would be leaving the show after one year.

Writing In March 2008, Hewson won BBC reality show Murder Most Famous, winning the opportunity to write her own crime fiction novel, The Tannery, which was published on 5 March 2009 by Pan Macmillan as one of their 'quick reads', released annually as part of the World Book Day celebrations. In 2011, she released her autobiography entitled Sherrie: Behind The Laughter. On 13 February 2014, Hewson published a cookbook called Nana's Kitchen.

Personal life After studying at RADA, Hewson dated and then lived with fellow student Robert Lindsay. The pair became engaged to be married, however a few days before the wedding, Hewson discovered Lindsay was having an affair and called it off.

In 2007, after over 30 years in showbusiness, Hewson declared bankruptcy. She described the experience as like having "a dreadful, contagious disease".

Hewson is a cousin of retired footballer Garry Birtles.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1975 Carry On Behind Carol Supporting Role 1976 The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella Palatine 1979 Hanover Street Phyllis

Television Year Title Role Notes 1971 Z-Cars Tina Williams Episodes: Grandstand Finish: Parts 1 & 2" BBC Play of the Month Anna's servant Episode: "Rasputin" 1972 The Moonstone Charity Ablewhite Series 1: Episode 1 Thirty-Minute Theatre Christine Episode: "Ronnie's So Long at the Fair" 1973 Z Cars Susan Rawlings Episode: "Suspicion" 1975 Churchill's People Girl Episode: "King Alfred" Within These Walls Lynn Hayes Episode: "Protest" Carry On Laughing Nurse Millie Teazel Episode: "The Case of the Screaming Winkles" Virginia Episode: "And in My Lady's Chamber" Irma Klein Episode: "The Case of the Coughing Parrot" Virginia Episode: "Who Needs Kitchener?" 1977 Love for Lydia Nancy Holland 11 episodes 1978 ITV Playhouse Liz Episode: "Forty Weeks" Z Cars Thelma Roberts Episode: "Quilley on the Spot" Play For Today May Episode: "Butterflies Don't Count" 1979 My Son, My Son Nellie Moscrop 2 episodes 1979–1980 In Loving Memory Doreen Nesbitt 2 episodes 1980 Play For Today Kate Episode: "Kate the Good Neighbour" The Sandbaggers Betty Galthorpe Episode: "Sometimes We Play Dirty Too" Flickers Letty 4 episodes Minder Olive Episode: "The Old School Tie" Juliet Bravo Rosemarina Coop Episode: "Oscar" 1981 Honky Tonk Heroes Priscilla Episode: "It's Only Make Believe" BBC2 Playhouse Marjorie Garfield Episode: "The Kindness of Mrs. Radcliffe" Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years Mrs. Pearman 5 episodes 1982 The Gentle Touch Steph Episode: "Joker" 1982–1984 Russ Abbot's Saturday Madhouse Various 16 episodes 1984 Dream Stuffing Housing Officer Series 1: Episode 3 1984–1986 In Loving Memory Mary Henshaw 8 episodes 1984 Dramarama Noreen Episode: "Fowl Pest" 1985 Full House Phyllis Episode: "Baby Talk" 1986 All At Number 20 Mrs. Melchett Episode: "All at No. 20" 1987 Never the Twain Doreen Miller Episode: "The Battle of Deveraux Dale" 1987–1988 Home James! Paula 12 episodes 1987 Home to Roost Cynthia Episode: "Family Ties" 1987–1988 The Little and Large Show Various 2 episodes 1988 And There's More Various Series 4: Episode 1 1988–1991 The Russ Abbot Show Various 39 episodes 1991 Lovejoy Lily Gruber Episode: "Lily's Pearls" The Les Dennis Laughter Show Various 2 episodes 1992 The Bill Annie Mower Episode: "Lip Service" Haggard Henrietta Masham Episode: "Beau Haggard" 1993–1997, 2006 Coronation Street Maureen Webster Regular role; 401 episodes 1995 Oh, Doctor Beeching! May Skinner Episode: "Pilot" 1999–2003 Barbara Jean Nesbitt Main role; 21 episodes 2001–2003 Crossroads Virginia Raven All 34 Episodes 2003–2016, 2017 Loose Women Panellist, Guest Panellist Series 4 - 20 2004 The Courtroom Maureen Smith Episode: "Twice Bitten" 2004–2006 Emmerdale Lesley Meredith Regular role; 108 episodes 2010 Sixes and Sevens Maude Short Film 2012–2018 Benidorm Joyce Temple-Savage Regular role; 44 episodes 2012; 2024 Pointless Celebrities Herself; contestant 2 episodes 2013 For the Love of Ella Lady Garson One-off drama 2015 Celebrity Big Brother Herself; contestant Series 16 Housemate; 6th place 2016 Are You Being Served? Mrs. Slocombe One-off special 2019–2020 Jeremy Vine Herself Guest Panelist (2 Episodes) 2019 The Comedy Years Herself Contributor (3 Episodes) Coronation Street at Christmas Contributor (TV Special) 2020 The Gays Days Kit Bell Supporting Role 2022–2023 Murder, They Hope Patricia Main Role (2 Episodes) 2022 The Weakest Link Herself; contestant Series 2; episode 4 2023 The Real Full Monty Herself/Performer 2 Episodes 2024–2025 Hollyoaks Martha Blake Regular role 2024 Daddy Issues Agnes Episode: "Man Mess" 2024 Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House Herself Episode: "Les Dennis & Sherrie Hewson"

Theatre credits