coronation street cast: julie hesmondhalgh
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Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh admits she begged for return to the cast

She wanted to reprise the role of Hayley one last time

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Coronation Street legend Julie Hesmondhalgh previously revealed she begged for a chance to return to the cast of the soap.

Actress Julie played Hayley Cropper in Corrie for 16 years before quitting in 2014.

Hayley took her own life following a terminal cancer diagnosis in heartbreaking scenes.

However, Julie once told how on a set visit she begged a director to let her reprise her role in the background for one final appearance.

Hayley Cropper tragically died in 2014 – but Julie wanted to play her one more time (Credit: ITV)

Coronation Street: What did Julie say about rejoining cast?

Speaking to Inside Soap in 2021, she said: “I miss Hayley, the comfort of putting those clothes and wig on and becoming her. I went for a visit a couple of years ago, and Alan Halsall was filming a scene in Roy’s Rolls.

“We begged the director to let me be an extra in the scene, dressed as myself, and sweep across the cafe as the shot began, with the back of my head to the camera so my nose didn’t give me away!

“We thought it’d be funny if Tyrone did a tiny double take. But the director daren’t do it as it was too much of a risk. It would have been an iconic moment!”

Coronation Street - Hayley Dies

Who is Julie Hesmondhalgh married to?

Julie is married to screenwriter Ian Kershaw who now pens scripts for Corrie.

She previously revealed how she told Ian she was going to marry him on a boozy night out – and then they conceived daughter Martha, now 22.

Julie Hesmondhalgh talks Coronation Street return
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh begged for a return to Corrie (Credit: Splash News)

Speaking to Notebook, Julie said: “We became really good pals, then we went out one night for a mate’s birthday.

“And we had been full-on flirting all night. At the end of it I said: ‘I’m going to marry you.’

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“He laughed, and we kissed. He was going for an audition the next day and I texted him saying: ‘I hope you get this job today, because I will expect to be kept in the manner I’ve become accustomed to when we get married and have our two kids.’

“Ian texted back saying: ‘What do you want from me!?’ I said,: ‘Not much, just a top wedding and kid by next Christmas!’ He answered saying: ‘Martha or Arthur?’ Our Martha was born by the next Christmas.”

Catch Julie in Mr Bates vs The Post Office on ITV1 tonight (January 4) at 9pm or on ITVX.

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