Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh (Julie Claire Hesmondhalgh, born Accrington, Lancashire, 1970) is an English actress, best known for playing the trans woman, Hayley Cropper, in Coronation Street.

As well as working to raise funds for other charities, Julie Hesmondhalgh is a patron of the several charities including Press for Change, the Albert Kennedy Trust, and the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

She has become an outspoken activist for trans rights, including becoming the first Friend of campaign group Trans Media Watch She was included in the "Non-LGBT Friends" category in the Independent on Sunday Pink List 2011 and in the "Friends to LGBT people" category in the Pink List 2013.