Tina Hobley

Tina Ellen Hobley (born 20 May 1971 ) is an English actress and radio presenter, best known for her role as Samantha Failsworth in Coronation Street and her long-running role as Chrissie Williams in the BBC One medical drama series Holby City.

Early life Hobley was born in Hampstead. She was very shy as a child, and was sent to speech and drama classes in an attempt to counter her introversion. She grew up in the London suburb of Mill Hill and attended Bishop Douglass School in East Finchley. Hobley later transferred to the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career

Television After graduating from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where she trained from 1990 to 1993, Hobley had a number of roles in a variety of television dramas, including Coronation Street as Samantha Failsworth, Harbour Lights as WPC Melanie Rush and The Bill as Sue Booker.

Hobley is best known for her role as ward sister Chrissie Williams in BBC medical drama Holby City. Hobley left Holby City in November 2013 after 12 years.

Radio On 3 October 2013, Smooth Radio announced that Hobley would become a presenter on the network, fronting a programme on Sunday mornings.

Hobley presented The Smooth Drive Home on Smooth London from January 2017 until July 2019. She currently presents a lunchtime show on Smooth London at the weekends .

Theatre From January to July 2015 Hobley co-starred with Jamie Lomas, Rik Makarem, Michael McKell and Gray O'Brien in a touring production of Peter James's "Dead Simple".

Personal life Hobley's first marriage was to graphic designer Steve Wallington in 1998. Their daughter Isabella, 'Bella', was born in April 1999; the couple divorced in 2001. Hobley is a third cousin of her former Holby City co-star Lauren Drummond, who played Chantelle Lane.

On 22 April 2006, Hobley announced her engagement to Oliver Wheeler, and they married later that year. Hobley gave birth to their daughter Olivia on 18 April 2008, and on 1 March 2010 to son Orson.

In February 2016, she withdrew from competing in the reality show The Jump after dislocating her shoulder, breaking her arm and rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament. Seven months after sustaining these injuries she still had not fully recovered. The damage to her body had limited her movement to the point where she has been unable to perform basic daily tasks by herself.

Hobley is a supporter of the Starlight Foundation. She is also an Ambassador for Barnardo's, and supports the Terrence Higgins Trust and the White Hat Rally. In 2024, Hobley completed a charity mountain trek in Sardinia for Global Radio's Make Some Noise charity initiative.

Filmography +Television Year Title Role Other notes1994 The Knock Estate Agent Episode No. 1.2 1995 Pie in the Sky Theresa Collins Episode 'Hard Cheese'Bliss Nurse Valerie Mini-seriesGhostbusters of East Finchley Woman on doorstep Episode No. 1.51996 The Bill Sue Booker Episode 'Judgment Call'1996–1998 Coronation Street Samantha Failsworth (225 episodes) 1997 The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Woman on train Episode May and June Part 1Another Audience with Freddie Starr On-screen Participant 1998 Noel's House Party Episode No. 7.18The National Lottery Big Ticket Episode No. 1.2Celebrity Ready Steady Cook Episode dated 7 JanuaryFriday Night's All Wright Episode No. 1.1 1999 Harbour Lights WPC Melanie Rush 2001–2013 Holby City Chrissie Williams Series 3–16 (406 episodes)2001 GMTV Episode dated 9 OctoberRichard & Judy Guest Episode dated 3 December 2003 Today with Des and Mel Episode dated 11 MarchThe Terry and Gaby Show Episode dated 20 OctoberGMTV Episode dated 13 October2004 The Afternoon Play Gracie Leigh Episode 'Venus and Mars'Making It at Holby 2014 Celebrity MasterChef Contestant 2016 The Jump Contestant

Guest appearances 2003 TV Moments (2003) – Audience member This Morning (18 May 2004, 16 November 2010, 14 February 2012) Hell's Kitchen (2004) – Episode No. 1.10 The Paul O'Grady Show (2004) – Episode No. 1.22 The Xtra Factor (13 November 2004) GMTV (22 October 2004) Comic Relief Does Fame Academy (2005) Test the Nation: The Big Entertainment Test (2005) School's Out (2007) – Episode No. 2.3 The One Show (11 February 2009) – Guest All Star Mr & Mrs (23 May 2009) – Contestant with husband, Oli Lorraine (27 January 2012) – Guest Daybreak (28 January, 8 August 2013) – Guest Big Star's Little Star (2 October 2013) – Contestant with daughter Olivia The Paul O'Grady Show (19 November 2013) Loose Women (30 April 2014)