When you hear the name sherrie hewson, a very specific image might pop into your head. For some, she is the accident-prone but lovable Maureen Holdsworth from Coronation Street, forever getting her words tangled up in the Freshco’s canteen. For others, she is the intimidating yet hilarious hotel manager Joyce Temple-Savage from Benidorm, barking orders at Mateo and trying to keep the Solana running. And for a generation of daytime TV fans, she is simply the heart of the Loose Women panel, the one who could make you cry with a sad story and then double over with laughter a second later.
Sherrie Hewson is a true survivor of the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over five decades, she has seen it all: the heights of soap opera fame, the brutal reality of bankruptcy, the heartbreak of divorce, and the rejuvenation that comes with finding a role that fits like a glove later in life. This is not just a story about an actress; it’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and refusing to fade into the background.
In this deep dive, we will look at how a girl from Nottingham became a RADA-trained star, why she left the cobbles of Coronation Street, what really went on behind the desk on Loose Women, and how Benidorm turned her into a cult icon. Whether you are a lifelong fan or just wondering why that face is so familiar, grab a cuppa, and let’s get into the life of one of Britain’s most beloved national treasures.
Early Life and Stepping into the Spotlight
Long before she was a household name, sherrie hewson was just a girl named Sherrie Lynn Hutchinson growing up in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Born on September 17, 1950, she was practically born into show business. Her father was a singer, and her mother was a model, so the need to perform was in her blood. Interestingly, she shares a family connection with former Nottingham Forest footballer Garry Birtles, proving that talent runs in the family.
Sherrie didn’t just stumble into acting; she worked for it. She attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) on a scholarship, which is a massive deal in the acting world. This classical training gave her the technical chops to handle everything from heavy drama to slapstick comedy. Unlike many of her peers who tried to distance themselves from the “Carry On” films, Sherrie leaned into the fun. Her early screen career included a role in Carry On Behind in 1975, which immediately established her as a comedic actress who wasn’t afraid to look silly.
The late 70s and 80s saw her bouncing around iconic British TV shows. She appeared in Minder, Juliet Bravo, and The Gentle Touch, but it was her time on The Russ Abbot Show that really sharpened her comedy timing. For a decade, she was a staple in British living rooms on Saturday nights, performing sketches that required incredible versatility. This period built the foundation for her to become the soap star we know today.
The Coronation Street Years and Soap Stardom
For many fans, the definitive role of sherrie hewson will always be Maureen Holdsworth (later Webster) on Coronation Street. She arrived on the cobbles in 1993, and honestly, the street never saw anyone quite like her. Maureen was a bit of a dizzy blonde, a supermarket assistant who was constantly dominated by her mother, Maud Grimes. The relationship between Maureen and Maud was comedy gold, with Maud’s sharp tongue constantly cutting Maureen down.
What made Maureen so relatable was her vulnerability. Despite her glamorous hair and outfits, Maureen had terrible luck with men and a habit of putting her foot in her mouth. Sherrie played this balance perfectly. She wasn’t just a comedy sidekick; she brought a real sadness to Maureen that made the audience root for her. When she left the show in 1997, it was a big loss for the street, though she did pop back briefly in 2006 for a guest appearance, reminding us all of her magic.
However, the behind-the-scenes reality of soap land wasn’t always easy. In the mid-90s, new producer Brian Park famously axed several older characters to “sex up” the show. While Sherrie survived that initial cull longer than some, her eventual departure was a shock to fans. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. It forced her out of her comfort zone and into other challenges, but she has always spoken fondly of her time on the ITV soap, acknowledging that Coronation Street gave her a platform that very few actresses ever get to enjoy.
Benidorm and the Renaissance of a Legend
Just when you thought you had seen everything from sherrie hewson, she reinvented herself for a new generation. In 2012, she checked into the Solana Hotel as Joyce Temple-Savage in ITV’s Benidorm. Initially, Joyce was a hard-nosed, no-nonsense manager brought in to crack the whip on the chaotic staff. She was frosty, professional, and absolutely terrified of the Sun, which made the sunny Spanish setting hilariously ironic.
As the series progressed, Joyce became one of the show’s standout characters. Sherrie brought her trademark vulnerability to the role. We learned that Joyce was lonely, desperate for love (remember her disastrous fling with Mateo?), and had a secret daughter. The beauty of Benidorm was that it allowed Sherrie to be older, wiser, and funnier than ever before. She was the perfect straight woman to the madness of characters like the Garveys and the Dykes.
The show ran for several series, and Joyce became a fan favorite. It introduced sherrie hewson to a younger audience who might not have watched her in Crossroads or Emmerdale (where she played Lesley Meredith from 2004 to 2006). The role proved that for a talented actress, your forties and fifties aren’t the end; sometimes, they are the beginning of the best chapter. When Benidorm ended in 2018, it left a hole in British comedy, but it cemented her legacy as an icon of the genre.
Life on the Loose Women Panel
From 2003 to 2016, sherrie hewson was the beating heart of the ITV lunchtime show Loose Women. Unlike the scripted nature of soaps, Loose Women was raw, live, and unpredictable. Sherrie was the queen of the “blooper” and the unexpected laugh. She had a habit of falling off chairs, losing her train of thought, or getting so emotional she could barely speak. But that authenticity is why the public loved her.
She sat alongside legends like Carol McGiffin, Coleen Nolan, and Janet Street-Porter. The chemistry on that panel was electric because they genuinely felt like friends who argued like sisters. In a recent interview, Sherrie reflected on the “old days” of the show, admitting that the panel used to have “proper rows” and that the freedom they had would never fly in the modern “woke” era of television. She noted that the show has become more “structured” and “subdued,” losing the chaotic energy that made it must-watch TV.
For Sherrie, Loose Women was more than just a paycheck. During her time on the show, she went through a very public divorce and financial troubles. She has openly admitted that the support of the other women on the panel, particularly Coleen Nolan, helped her survive those dark days. It wasn’t just an act for the cameras; it was a support system. When she finally left in 2016 to focus on acting and writing, it felt like the end of an era for daytime television.
The Writer: Books and Literary Pursuits
Many people know Sherrie Hewson for her acting, but did you know she is also a published novelist? In 2008, she won a BBC reality show called Murder Most Famous, which gave her the chance to write her own crime fiction novel. The result was The Tannery, a quick-read thriller that showcased her darker, more literary side. It proved that her storytelling abilities weren’t limited to the screen.
Following that success, she turned her pen to her own life. Her autobiography, Behind the Laughter, released in 2011 by HarperCollins, is a gut-wrenching read. While the title suggests a fun celebrity tell-all, the book delves deep into her abusive relationships, her struggles with mental health, and the financial ruin that led to her bankruptcy in 2007. She described bankruptcy as having “a dreadful, contagious disease”. The book is a testament to her bravery; she doesn’t sugarcoat the pain.
Finally, she proved that she could do it all by releasing a cookbook titled Nana’s Kitchen in 2014. It’s a collection of family recipes, full of the warmth and comfort you would expect from a “Nana.” Whether she is writing fiction, fact, or food, Sherrie brings the same voice to her books as she does to the screen: honest, warm, and with a dash of northern grit.
Personal Life, Struggles, and Triumphs
The life of sherrie hewson has not been a smooth ride. Behind the glittery tops and big laughs, she has endured some serious trauma. In her autobiography, she bravely detailed a relationship with a banker named John Rowlands in the 1970s, who subjected her to horrific physical abuse, including an attack with a cricket bat that knocked her unconscious. It is harrowing to read, but her willingness to speak about it has helped many fans in similar situations.
Her love life has been turbulent. She was briefly engaged to actor Robert Lindsay, but she famously broke it off days before the wedding after discovering his infidelity. She later married Ken Boyd in 1983, and they had a daughter together. However, the marriage broke down after he admitted to having an affair, leading to a painful divorce finalized in 2011. Despite the heartache, she has always put her daughter first, crediting motherhood with saving her life during the darkest periods.
Perhaps the most shocking public moment came in 2007 when she declared bankruptcy. For a face that was on TV almost every day, the shame was immense. Yet, she clawed her way back. She didn’t hide away; she went back to work, took the jobs that were offered, and rebuilt her life brick by brick. This resilience is perhaps what defines sherrie hewson more than any acting role. She is a fighter, and she has never let the setbacks keep her down for long.
Quotes from Sherrie Hewson
If you ever listen to sherrie hewson speak, you know she has a way with words. Whether she is joking about her love life or getting serious about the industry, she is endlessly quotable.
Here are some of her most memorable lines:
On Loose Women‘s heyday:
“It wasn’t ‘woke’ times, so we could say anything. I mean, Carol McGiffin and I were unbelievable. We had proper rows. I’d say, ‘What do you mean, Carol? You’re talking crap. What are you talking about?'”
On dealing with bankruptcy:
“It was like having a dreadful, contagious disease. You feel like you have leprosy.”
On aging and cosmetic surgery (after appearing on 10 Years Younger):
“I don’t want to look like a fried egg that’s been slapped on a piece of bacon. You have to know when to stop.”
On finding friendship during hardship:
“Those girls all supported me, particularly Coleen Nolan. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”
Upcoming Projects and Hollyoaks
Just when you think sherrie hewson might be taking a break to put her feet up, she dives right back into work. In 2024, she took on the role of Martha Blake in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. This was a major coup for the show. She plays the estranged grandmother of Sienna Blake, a character with a dark and twisted history.
Martha Blake is not a bubbly comedy character like Joyce Temple-Savage. She is described as sharp, manipulative, and mysterious. For Sherrie, this is a chance to sink her teeth into heavy drama again, proving that a RADA-trained actress can handle the dark stuff as well as the one-liners. Her arrival in the village has already caused waves, and fans are eager to see what skeletons she brings out of the closet.
While she has confirmed her departure from Hollyoaks in 2025 after a one-year stint, it shows no signs of slowing down. Whether she is on the cobbles, in a hotel in Spain, or on a panel show, Sherrie Hewson remains one of the hardest-working women in show business. We suspect there are plenty more chapters to be written in her long and illustrious story.
Conclusion
To sum it up, sherrie hewson is far more than just an actress. She is a national institution. Over the last fifty years, we have watched her grow up, mess up, and rise up. She has made us laugh as the dizzy blonde in Coronation Street, made us cry on Loose Women with her honesty about her personal demons, and made us cheer for her revival as the fearsome Joyce in Benidorm.
Her career serves as a masterclass in longevity. In an industry that often discards women once they reach a certain age, Sherrie has remained relevant by being unflinchingly herself. She doesn’t hide her age, her struggles, or her opinions. She is the friend you want to have a glass of wine with, the Nana you want to cook with, and the actress you cannot look away from.
From RADA to Carry On, from bankruptcy to bestselling author, her journey is one of grit, grace, and a whole lot of glitter. Long may she reign. If you haven’t picked up her autobiography yet, do yourself a favor and read it. It will change the way you see that smiling face on your television screen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Sherrie Hewson still acting?
Yes, absolutely. Most recently, sherrie hewson has been playing the role of Martha Blake on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. She joined the cast in 2024 and continues to be active in the television industry, proving that her passion for performance hasn’t dimmed.
Why did Sherrie Hewson leave Loose Women?
Sherrie left the regular panel of Loose Women in 2016. She has stated that she wanted to leave to focus on other acting projects, specifically her role in Benidorm. She has also hinted that as the show evolved and became more “structured” and “woke,” it lost the wild, spontaneous feel she loved during her original tenure.
Did Sherrie Hewson really go bankrupt?
Yes. In 2007, despite being a regular face on television, sherrie hewson declared bankruptcy. She has spoken openly about the experience, describing it as a deeply shameful and isolating period in her life. She worked hard to rebuild her finances and reputation following this setback.
What happened to Sherrie Hewson’s hair?
During a particularly stressful period in her life, which included her divorce and financial woes, Sherrie suffered from alopecia (hair loss). She has been incredibly brave about discussing this, revealing that she wore wigs during her time on Loose Women and that her colleagues were incredibly supportive of her during that health scare.
Who is Sherrie Hewson’s famous relative?
Many people are surprised to learn that sherrie hewson is actually the cousin of Garry Birtles, the former professional footballer who played for Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. It seems talent for excellence runs in the family, whether on the pitch or on the screen.
Does Sherrie Hewson have any grandchildren?
While Sherrie has one daughter (born in 1984), she often talks about family values and has written a cookbook titled Nana’s Kitchen. However, that “Nana” title is more about her persona as a nurturing, grandmotherly figure to the public and her friends’ children, rather than her having biological grandchildren.
