In a stunning revelation, Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has disclosed that her iconic role as Hayley Cropper was originally intended as a joke storyline. Fans of the show might be surprised to learn that Hayley, who became a groundbreaking character on the soap, was initially meant to serve as a punchline.

Hayley first appeared on Coronation Street in 1998 and went on to marry Roy Cropper in 2010. Her storyline took a poignant turn in 2013 when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Hayley’s decision to end her life on her own terms and her subsequent death in Roy’s arms in 2014 became one of the most memorable and emotional arcs in the show’s history.

However, speaking at a soap panel during the Edinburgh TV Festival on January 21st, Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley, revealed that her character was originally introduced as part of a comedic plot. Hesmondhalgh, now 54, shared that the casting director informed her that Hayley was initially meant to be a trans character in a storyline that was simply meant to be a joke. The original plan was for Hayley to be one of several disastrous dates for Roy Cropper. The twist would be that Hayley would reveal her trans identity during their date, leading Roy to deem the date a failure and move on.

Reflecting on the decision, Julie Hesmondhalgh noted the significant challenges faced by trans individuals in 1997. She admitted that it would have been particularly difficult for a trans actor to take on such a role given the societal attitudes of the time. The press coverage and public perception of trans issues were notably harsh, and there was a long way to go before trans people were fully accepted and celebrated.

Hesmondhalgh also discussed the progress made in the representation of trans people since then. She expressed that, as a cisgender actor, she wouldn’t be cast in such a role today. She felt it was appropriate that she left the role when she did, noting that it would feel out of place for her to play such a character now, given the advances in representation and the emergence of talented trans actors.

Julie Hesmondhalgh expressed pride in her role within the story of trans history and rights, acknowledging the importance of the character and the changes in how trans individuals are represented in media. Despite the initial intentions of the storyline, Hayley Cropper’s legacy has become a significant part of the conversation around trans representation on television.

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