Julie Hesmondhalgh has received the union’s highest honour, Honorary Life Membership.
Julie, who joined Equity in 1997, received the award for her part in the campaign to save Oldham Coliseum as well as her longstanding activism within the union. Julie has been a prominent figurehead on issues including resisting austerity and campaigning against cuts to social security. Julie was also a much-respected Equity Dep (representative) on Coronation Street, working with Equity officials to hold the company to account and achieve wins for members on the show.
Julie was surprised with the award during the filming of a video celebrating Equity’s successful campaign to save Oldham Coliseum. Filming alongside Equity President, Lynda Rooke, Julie was unaware of the union’s ulterior motive of presenting her with Honorary Life Membership. It started to become clear when Julie’s friend and Equity NW Councillor, Victoria Brazier, appeared in shot carrying a bunch of flowers, and the filming switched to the award presentation, all shot outside Oldham Coliseum. Julie described receiving the award as “completely overwhelming” and the surprise as “like being on This Is Your Life”.
Equity President, Lynda Rooke, who presented the award said: "You [Julie] have been a cracking campaigner, you've been a figurehead for saving Oldham Coliseum. You've also spoken out about austerity, about social security and the benefits cuts, and you were also an absolutely cracking Dep on Coronation Street. It’s my greatest pleasure and privilege to give you Equity's Honorary Life Membership."
Julie was visibly taken aback by receiving the surprise honour, and said she was a “proud Equity Dep” during her time on Coronation Street.
Accepting the award, Julie Hesmondhalgh said: "Thank you so much to all Equity members, this is really the biggest honour ever for me, and I have to say that I am just one person in a massive campaign of many, many people. Big shout out to the Friends of the Coliseum, previously Save the Coliseum, for this dogged little group of theatre lovers who have kept us going. Thanks to all the rank-and-file members and the Equity Officials who made this [saving Oldham Coliseum] possible."
The video of Julie winning the award was played at Equity conference in Derry to laughter, tears and an enthusiastic standing ovation.
Julie originally joined Equity as a variety member, working as a children’s entertainer at the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory in central London on Sundays where she did face painting and drama with children. She’s gone on to have a varied and successful career on screen and stage. Probably best-known for her 16-year stint on Coronation Street playing the character of Hayley Cropper and in the BAFTA-winning ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Julie has won a string of awards for work on both screen and stage. Julie is outspoken on her socialist beliefs for equality, justice and peace, along with the importance of trade unions and the “joy” of collective action.
You can read a feature with Julie in the Spring 2025 edition of Equity’s magazine.
