Sally Lindsay

Created and co-written by its star, Sally Lindsay, new series The Madame Blanc Mysteries (8.55pm, Ch5) is just one string to the bow of this popular actress…

Born in Stockport, Cheshire in 1973, Sally attended St Winifred’s School in Heaton Mersey. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the school choir, with Sally in it, topped the UK singles charts in 1980 with the song There’s No One Quite Like Grandma. The choir’s Top Of The Pops appearance marked

Sally’s screen debut, aged seven.

Sally studied English at the University of Hull, and then went to drama school. She became friends with Peter Kay and, in 2001, appeared in his sitcom Phoenix Nights. She also had early roles in Fat Friends and The Royle Family.

Sally made her debut as Rovers barmaid Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street in 2001. Shelley left the Street in 2006, but Sally’s Corrie connections would continue to prove fruitful. With co-star and pal Suranne Jones, she came up with the idea for the hit detective drama Scott & Bailey (2011-16).

Sally took time out to have twins with her husband, drummer Steve White, who worked extensively with Paul Weller. Picking up her career, Sally took the lead in comedy drama Mount Pleasant (2011-17), and was a regular on Still Open All Hours (2013-19).

Earlier this year, she was unrecognisable (as a brunette) in the thriller Intruder.