SOAP star Hayley Tamaddon has revealed she’d jump at the chance to return to Emmerdale or Coronation Street.
The actress, 48, proved a hit with viewers in both ITV dramas, filming more than 350 episodes in total as Del Dingle and Andrea Beckett, respectively.
Hayley Tamaddon would go back to Emmerdale or Corrie ‘in a heartbeat’[/caption]
And she’s in the rare soapland position of portraying two characters who left without being killed off.
Del fled the Dales £20,000 richer after tricking David Metcalfe, while Andrea swapped Weatherfield for a life in Jersey with her lover Lloyd Mullaney.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun on behalf of Heart Bingo, Hayley said: “Listen, if they ever ask, I will jump at the chance.
“I think, you know, people forget how hard an actor works on a soap. I’ve loved my time on both Emmerdale and Corrie. I would go back to either in a heartbeat.
“They have such a big piece of my heart. And if EastEnders came along one day and said, we’re looking for a northerner, I would gladly go and be in EastEnders. I think as an actor in this current climate, it’s hard to get a job.”
Regardless of whether ITV’s soap chiefs take a leaf out of rival EastEnders book and bring back former talent, single mum Hayley, 48, has a big year ahead.
She’s taking her one-woman show on board a cruise ship and, when she’s not at sea, she’ll be focused on bringing her self-penned sitcom to life.
The project, which was first started in 2019, has gone through various iterations and is now in production with hopes that it will be commissioned by a major channel or platform in the near future.
Hayley said: “I’ve worked really hard writing it. And I love writing. It’s a real passion of mine.
“And I think just be happy. Just do what makes you happy. Do what you can to earn the money.
“You know, because that’s it now. You know, being a single parent, it’s just me. Me and my little boy and the help of my mum and dad, which is amazing.
“I take the work where it comes and I’m truly grateful for every job I get.”
Her sitcom took a major step forward in 2022 after Hayley entered it into a competition.
She was one of four winners out of 1,000 entrants and won the opportunity to have her script read to industry heavyweights Netflix, ITV, BBC, and Channel 4.
An all-female production company then came onboard and offered to help her make it a reality.
She found fame as Del Dingle in Emmerdale in the early noughties[/caption]
Hayley said: “I have rewritten it. So it’s nothing like what it was. It’s almost like starting again.
“But I’ve learned as a writer, this is how it is in this industry. You know, some people write things and they don’t see it on screen for another nine years. I mean, I’ve written myself as the lead.
“And when I started writing it, I was only 43 and I’m 48 now. So I’m hoping I can still play it in another four years from now.”
Hayley Tamaddon’s Career Timeline
Early Career: After training at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Hayley began her career performing in musical theatre productions such as Grease, Fame, and Mamma Mia!.
Emmerdale: Hayley gained wider recognition when she joined the cast of the ITV soap Emmerdale in 2005 as Delilah Dingle, a role she played until 2007.
Dancing on Ice: Hayley participated in and won the fifth series of Dancing on Ice, partnered with professional skater Daniel Whiston. Her performance received high praise, and she was considered one of the strongest contestants in the show’s history.
Pantomime and Theatre Work: Hayley appeared in several pantomimes and stage productions, continuing to showcase her skills in musical theatre.
Coronation Street: Hayley joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2013, another iconic ITV soap opera, where she played Andrea Beckett, a friend of Steve McDonald. She remained on the show until 2015.
Dancing on Ice: All-Stars: Hayley returned to Dancing on Ice for its All-Stars series, competing again with Daniel Whiston. She finished as the runner-up.
Theatre and Guest Appearances: Hayley continued to work in theatre, appearing in productions such as Chicago and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. She also made guest appearances on various television programmes. More recently she’s had presenting roles on BBC’s Morning Live.
