Stephanie Waring

Stephanie Louise Waring (born 19 February 1978) is an English actress. She is best known for portraying the role of Cindy Cunningham in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (1996–2000, 2004, 2008–2024, 2026–present). Waring's other notable credits include the Australian soap opera Crash Palace (2001–2002), and the BBC1 drama series Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002). Her other television work includes guest appearances in Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors, and Coronation Street, as well as competing in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2018.

Personal life Waring was born in Urmston, Greater Manchester on 19 February 1978 and attended Flixton Girls' High School. Waring has two daughters, Mia, born 2005, and Lexi Grace, born 2010. Waring was in a relationship with Dan Hooper who is Lexi's father. Waring suffered with post-natal depression after giving birth to her daughter Lexi. After dating Tom Thornton-Brookes for one year, the couple became engaged on 19 December 2021 and married in 2024. In 2025, Waring wrote about her struggles with bulimia and body dysmorphia when she first joined Hollyoaks in 1996 in her autobiography, Breaking the Script.

Career Waring has appeared in various British television series since 1999, including Nice Guy Eddie, Merseybeat and Holby City. She has also acted overseas, playing the lead in the Australian television drama series, Crash Palace in 2001. Waring auditioned for the characters of Tracy Barlow and Claire Peacock, both of Coronation Street, but lost out to Kate Ford and Julia Haworth respectively. Waring appeared in Coronation Street as Emma, a character who had given birth to Jason Grimshaw's (Ryan Thomas) child after a one-night stand, initially on Christmas Day 2006, and then appeared again in Easter 2007 when the character discovered that her child's father was in fact the late Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward).

Waring is known for portraying Cindy Cunningham in Hollyoaks, taking over the role from Laura Crossley in 1996. She initially played the role until 2000 and returned briefly in 2004. In May 2008, it was announced Waring would return to the serial on a regular basis after executive producer Bryan Kirkwood felt the serial needed to bring back some established characters. Cindy's return aired on 9 June 2008. Waring appeared as her character in the second series of Hollyoaks Later. In March 2010, it was announced Waring would leave the role temporarily for maternity leave; and she returned to the serial 9 March 2011. On 8 April 2024, Waring announced that she had been axed from the soap as part of the show's cast reduction, but was assured that Cindy would not be killed off. Her final scenes aired in September 2024. On 26 June 2026, it was announced that she would reprise her role as Cindy and had already returned to filming. In 2018, she was a contestant on series 10 of Dancing on Ice, and was second to be eliminated.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1996–2000, 2004, 2008–2024, 2026–present Hollyoaks Cindy Cunningham Series regular; 1,500+ episodes (so far) 1999 Brookside: Double Take! Sally's PA DTV special 2001 Always and Everyone Linda Series 3: Episode 10 2001–2002 Nice Guy Eddie Laura McMullen Series regular; 7 episodes Crash Palace Tina Clark Series regular 2002 Doctors Kim Landor Episode: "Do No Wrong" 2003 Merseybeat Lisa Solomon Series 3: Episode 7 Sweet Medicine Jodie Series 1: Episode 7 2003 Holby City Megan Hunter Episodes: "When That Shark Bites" 2005 The Royal Georgie Wells Series 4: Episode 8 Doctors Cathy Shaw Episode: "The Family Unit" 2006–2007 Coronation Street Emma 5 episodes 2007 Holby City Claire James Episode: "Into the Dark" 2008 The Royal Today Lorna Series 1: Episode 27 2009, 2020 Hollyoaks Later Cindy Cunningham 6 episodes 2018 Dancing on Ice Herself Contestant; 11th place 2026 The Rebooted Chloe Upcoming

Awards and nominations