Chelsea Halfpenny

Chelsea Halfpenny
Born (1991-09-26) 26 September 1991 (age 33)
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England[1]
OccupationActress
Years active2004–present
TelevisionEmmerdale
Casualty
PartnerJames Baxter (2018–present)
Children1
RelativesJill Halfpenny (aunt)

Chelsea Halfpenny (born 26 September 1991) is an English actress, known for her roles as Amy Wyatt in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale and Alicia Munroe in the BBC drama Casualty. She played Jenna Hunterson in the 2022 UK Tour of Waitress.

Early life

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Halfpenny attended St Augustine's Primary School in Leam Lane, Gateshead[2] and then went on to attend St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Wrekenton,[3] both of which her aunt, Jill Halfpenny, attended. Chelsea then attended Sixth Form at Heworth Grange School in Gateshead to complete A level studies. She also attended Saturday fame school classes at the Reavley Theatre School, Gateshead.[4] Halfpenny lived on the Leam Lane Estate, in Gateshead.[5]

Career

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Television and film

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Halfpenny's professional acting career began in 2004 when she appeared in the Casualty episode "What Parents Do", playing an eleven-year-old girl called Karine.[6] In the same year, she was cast the role of Lucy Summerbee in popular children's television series Byker Grove.[7] Halfpenny secured the role after answering an advertisement in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.[5] after leaving Byker Grove in 2006, Halfpenny continued to work in the North East. She featured in an independent short film for Sham Films, called Cherry Pop.[8]

Halfpenny featured in the 2010 short film Compulsion, directed by Andy McVicar. She Played the female lead Kelly, in a story of young adolescent love.[9] The film was funded by Northern Film and Media's Digital Nation Initiative Fund. Made for £20,000, Compulsion won the British Council Azz xx ward for "Best New Short Film'" at the London Film Festival.[10] On 8 October 2010, Halfpenny made her first appearance on Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale as runaway teenager Amy Wyatt, who became a regular character.[11] On 11 October 2013, Halfpenny confirmed that she was to leave Emmerdale. Her last episode was shown on 14 November 2013. Later in 2013, Halfpenny portrayed Sarah in a short film called Lilium, a production by students at Teesside University.[12]

In 2015, Halfpenny joined the cast of BBC medical drama Casualty. She portrayed the role of Alicia Munroe, a year 1 foundation officer doctor. Halfpenny's first episode aired on 19 September 2015. Halfpenny had signed for eight episodes and departed the show on 14 November 2015, but in May 2016, it was announced that Halfpenny would return to Casualty, with her return episode airing on 30 July 2016.[13] On 15 January 2019, it was confirmed that Halfpenny would be leaving Casualty after four years.[14]

Music and theatre

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In 2009, Halfpenny progressed to the Open Mic UK national finals with Newcastle-based girl-band Vevo.[15] In 2011, Halfpenny featured on a DVD release by MWM Records, called Big River Big Songs. She sang a solo of "I Still Love Him" and sang a duet, "The Shoe Makker" with fellow Emmerdale cast member Charlie Hardwick.[16][17] Both songs sung by Halfpenny were made for paid download on iTunes on 12 March 2012.[18][19]

In 2012, Halfpenny took part in Sunday for Sammy, a biannual charity concert held in aid of the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, which benefits young performers in the Newcastle area. Starring alongside Angela Lonsdale and Denise Welch, Halfpenny played Lambrini, a young Newcastle woman on community service.[20] In 2014, she appeared in a variety of roles in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Maxine Peake's Beryl – celebrating the sporting achievements of cyclist Beryl Burton.[21] In 2019, it was announced that she would be taking over the role of Judy in 9 to 5: The Musical, as part of the West End theatre production.[22] In late 2020 it was announced Halfpenny would star in the UK Wide Tour of Waitress in the role of Jenna.

Personal life

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Halfpenny is the daughter of Newcastle DJ Paula Halfpenny[23] and the niece of actress Jill Halfpenny.[24]

In 2018, she began dating actor James Baxter,[25] and they announced their engagement on 13 June 2021.[26] In April 2023, Baxter and Halfpenny announced that they were expecting their first child together.[27] In June 2023, Halfpenny announced the birth of her and Baxter's daughter.[28]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007 Cherry Pop Tracy Short film [29]
2010 Compulsion Kelly Short film funded by Northern Film and Media [10]
2018 Cry Baby Blue Abi Short film [30][31]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004 Casualty Karine Episode: "What Parents Do" [6]
2003–2006 Byker Grove Lucy Summerbee Main role [7][32]
2010–2013 Emmerdale Amy Wyatt Series regular [33][34]
2015–2019 Casualty Alicia Munroe Recurring (2015), series regular (2016–2019) [35][36][37]
2020 Night Force Herself Narrator; 10 episodes [38]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2012 British Council Award Best Film Short Compulsion Nominated [10][39][40]
2012 National Television Awards 2012 Best Newcomer Emmerdale Nominated [41][42]
2012 British Soap Awards 2012 Best Actress Emmerdale Nominated [43]

References

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  1. ^ Halfpenny, Chelsea (19 July 2019). "Chelsea Halfpenny on the benefits of community running". www.womensrunning.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  2. ^ "'Generations at Christmas' School Choir". 22 December 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Family viewing". The Sunday Sun. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Jill has the Xtra factor". Ic Newcastle. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Newest Grover's tips from TV aunt". Ic Newcastle. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  6. ^ a b Hollingsworth, Di (5 June 2018). "Ex-Emmerdale and Casualty star Chelsea Halfpenny is not denying those Strictly rumours!". What's on TV. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Byker Grove - Grove graduates - where are they now?". www.bbc.co.uk. 22 May 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Cherry Pop". Sham Films. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  9. ^ a b "NFM funded short scoops top prize". Northern Film Media. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  10. ^ a b c "Andy McVicar film Compulsion wins London Short Film Festival prize". The Journal. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Amy Wyatt Character Profile ITV.com". ITV.com. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Lilium". YouTube.
  13. ^ "Casualty: Charlie is sacked in dramatic new summer trailer".
  14. ^ Dainty, Sophie (15 January 2019). "Casualty exit for Alicia Munroe as Chelsea Halfpenny bows out". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Chelsea Halfpenny biography". London Theatre Direct Ltd. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  16. ^ "DVD captures the heart and soul of the River Tyne". The Journal. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  17. ^ Mason Wareham Official Video Trailer
  18. ^ "Still I Love Him (Big River Big Songs – The Tyne) (feat. The Hush) – Single". apple.com. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  19. ^ "Shoemakker (Big River Big Songs – The Tyne) (feat. Billy Mitchell, Ray Ladlaw) – Single". apple.com. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  20. ^ "Review: Sunday For Sammy, Newcastle City Hall". The Journal. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  21. ^ "Production Information: Beryl". West Yorkshire Playhouse. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  22. ^ Wood, Alex (31 July 2019). "Chelsea Halfpenny to take over from Amber Davies in 9 to 5 the Musical in the West End". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Clubbing together with Paula". The Journal. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Chelsea Halfpenny: Playing Emmerdale mum hasn't made me broody". The Mirror. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  25. ^ "Emmerdale stars Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter reveal they're dating in real life years after leaving soap". Heart. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  26. ^ Anderton, Joe (13 June 2021). "Former Emmerdale and Casualty star Chelsea Halfpenny announces engagement to boyfriend James Baxter". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Former Emmerdale star Chelsea Halfpenny pregnant with her first child". Digital Spy. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  28. ^ Seddon, Dan (30 June 2023). "Former Casualty and Emmerdale star Chelsea Halfpenny welcomes new baby". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  29. ^ "Chelsea Halfpenny CV". United Agents. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  30. ^ "Cry Baby Blue - About (Image)". Facebook. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  31. ^ al-Habib, Marlek (28 February 2018). "Cry Baby Blue (2018)". Vimeo. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  32. ^ "CBBC: Byker Grove - BBC One London, 10 November 2005 17.00". BBC. 3 November 2005. p. 109. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  33. ^ Nissim, Mayer (11 October 2013). "Chelsea Halfpenny leaving 'Emmerdale'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  34. ^ -Westbrook, Caroline (12 October 2013). "Chelsea Halfpenny to quit Emmerdale". What's on TV. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  35. ^ Brown, David (15 September 2015). "Former Emmerdale star Chelsea Halfpenny reveals all about her new Casualty role as junior doctor Alicia Munroe". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  36. ^ "Casualty - Belief - Series 30 Episode 5 of 43". BBC. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  37. ^ Dainty, Sophie (19 January 2019). "Exclusive: Casualty star Chelsea Halfpenny reacts to Alicia's exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Night Force, narrated by Chelsea Halfpenny". United Voices. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  39. ^ Sandwell, Ian (17 January 2012). "Compulsion, Summit among winners at London Short Film Festival". Screen. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Best Short nominees at the 2012 9th London Short Film Festival". www.filmfestivals.com. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  41. ^ "National TV Awards 2012: The winners". BBC News. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  42. ^ "The National Television Awards 2012 winners in full". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  43. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (25 March 2012). "All About Soap Awards: Winners list". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
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