Julie Hesmondhalgh honoured for Oldham Coliseum support 2026

Key Points

• Julie Hesmondhalgh wins the first ever Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award.
• It honors the actress for her contributions on stage and screen, as well as for her contribution in keeping Greater Manchester’s theatres alive.
• The actress from Coronation Street and Celebrity Traitors has been advocating for the reopening of the Oldham Coliseum.
• Hesmondhalgh said she was “very privileged” to win the accolade.
• Theatres Trust will be honoring her with the lifetime achievement award at the first-ever Great British Theatres Awards in London on 2 November.
• It will coincide with the 50-year anniversary of Theatres Trust.
• Oldham Coliseum is set to re-open its doors by 2027, after the securing of funds that will be used for asbestos removal and repairs.
• Oldham Coliseum has not had its annual Arts Council England funding since 2022 and was then facing closure.
• Hesmondhalgh has been campaigning for the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and she co-founded Manchester’s Back Theatre.
• Her success shows the importance of actors being involved with regional theaters.

Oldham (Manchester Mirror) October 08, 2026 – Julie Hesmondhalgh theatre award: Accrington-born actor Julie Hesmondhalgh will receive the first Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award on 2 November 2026, recognising her contributions to stage and screen and her campaigning for the future of Oldham Coliseum.

The award will be presented by Theatres Trust during the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards in London. The ceremony has been created as part of celebrations marking the organisation’s 50th anniversary.

Hesmondhalgh is widely known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, a role she performed for more than 15 years. She is also appearing in the current series of Celebrity Traitors, where she has been described as the programme’s “most trustworthy” contestant.

However, the Lifetime Achievement Award will also recognise her work away from television. Theatres Trust said the honour reflects her commitment to improving access to live performance and supporting theatres that serve their local communities.

Why is Julie Hesmondhalgh receiving the award?

According to the Manchester Evening News, Hesmondhalgh is being recognised for her performances and for her involvement in the campaign to protect Oldham Coliseum’s Fairbottom Street site.

The actor has supported efforts to preserve the historic Greater Manchester theatre and help secure its future. The campaign has been driven by local residents and supporters who want the building to reopen and remain part of the region’s cultural life.

In a statement reported by the Manchester Evening News, Hesmondhalgh said: “I feel very privileged to receive this first-ever award from the Theatres Trust, which celebrates the successful effort to preserve Oldham Coliseum—a campaign entirely driven by a community determined to protect their cherished historic theatre.”

She added that she was “immensely proud” to have played a small part in the campaign and to be involved with the team working towards the theatre’s reopening and future development.

The award therefore reflects more than Hesmondhalgh’s acting career. It also acknowledges her public support for community-led theatre campaigns and her advocacy for performers, audiences and regional cultural organisations.

When will Julie Hesmondhalgh receive the honour?

The award ceremony will take place in London on 2 November 2026.

The Great British Theatres Awards are being launched by Theatres Trust, an organisation that campaigns to protect theatres and promote access to live performance. The inaugural ceremony will coincide with the trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Hesmondhalgh will be the first recipient of the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award. The decision places her name at the centre of a new award intended to honour people who reflect Theatres Trust’s aims.

The ceremony is expected to recognise the importance of theatres across the United Kingdom, including venues outside London and other major cultural centres.

What has Theatres Trust said about Hesmondhalgh?

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Theatres Trust described the Lifetime Achievement Award as a way of recognising an individual who represents its belief that everyone should have the opportunity to experience theatre and live performance, regardless of their location or background.

The trust’s representative, Ua Mcgart, said Hesmondhalgh had used her position as a well-known actor to support inclusive access to the performing arts and community theatres.

Mcgart also highlighted Hesmondhalgh’s support for northern and regional venues. The statement presented the actor’s work as an example of how public figures can use their profile to draw attention to theatres facing financial, structural or political challenges.

Theatres Trust said it was looking forward to Hesmondhalgh accepting the award at the London ceremony.

What is Julie Hesmondhalgh known for?

Hesmondhalgh is best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street. She appeared in the ITV soap for more than 15 years, making the character one of the most recognisable roles of her career.

She has also appeared in other television and stage productions, including Happy Valley. Her theatre and television work has earned her several honours, including an Olivier Award for her performance in The Pitmen Painters—although the Manchester Evening News report refers to her previous stage recognition in connection with Graham’s Punch.

More recently, she has appeared in the latest series of Celebrity Traitors. The programme has brought renewed public attention to the actor, who has reportedly been labelled the series’ “most trustworthy” participant.

In an earlier conversation with the Manchester Evening News, Hesmondhalgh said she could not reveal details about the programme because of confidentiality agreements. She described appearing on the show as an “extraordinary experience” and said it would “defy everyone’s expectations”.

When asked about her position in the programme, she jokingly replied: “I’m not going to spill the beans! I’m bound by NDAs! If I told you, I’d have to take you out! I can’t share anything. All I can say is that it’s a remarkable experience that defies everyone’s expectations. It’s going to be quite the show, I promise!”

How has Hesmondhalgh supported Oldham Coliseum?

Hesmondhalgh has been involved in efforts to protect Oldham Coliseum, a theatre with a long-standing connection to the Greater Manchester community.

The campaign has focused on preserving the theatre’s Fairbottom Street location and supporting plans for its eventual reopening. Hesmondhalgh has used her public profile to highlight the importance of the venue and the need to maintain opportunities for local audiences and theatre workers.

The Manchester Evening News reported that Oldham Coliseum is expected to reopen in 2027. The plan follows the securing of an additional £7 million for asbestos removal and structural repairs.

Those works are necessary before the building can safely return to regular public use. The funding is intended to address the building’s condition and support the longer-term plan for the theatre.

While the main venue remains closed, Oldham Coliseum Theatre Limited has continued to organise events across the borough. This has allowed the organisation to maintain a connection with audiences and performers while work on the theatre’s future continues.

What did Oldham Coliseum say about the award?

Martina Murphy, chief executive of Oldham Coliseum, praised Hesmondhalgh’s contribution to the campaign.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Murphy said Hesmondhalgh had shown “remarkable passion, determination, and generosity” in her work.

Murphy said the actor had stood alongside people in Oldham during their campaign to protect the theatre. She also credited Hesmondhalgh with continuing to advocate for northern and working-class voices that should be represented on stage and supported behind the scenes.

The chief executive said Hesmondhalgh shared the organisation’s vision for a reopened Coliseum where local residents could see their experiences reflected, develop their talents and build careers in theatre.

Murphy described the recognition as well deserved and said Oldham Coliseum was proud to have Hesmondhalgh involved with its work.

What challenges has Oldham Coliseum faced?

Oldham Coliseum faced significant financial and operational difficulties after Arts Council England withdrew its annual funding in 2022.

The loss of that support placed further pressure on the organisation and raised concerns about the theatre’s ability to continue operating. At one point, the theatre reportedly had only one member of staff.

The building’s condition created another major challenge. Asbestos removal and structural repairs are required before the venue can reopen safely. The additional £7 million secured for this work has helped strengthen the prospects of a future reopening.

The campaign to preserve the theatre has involved local residents, cultural organisations, performers and public figures. Hesmondhalgh’s involvement has helped draw wider attention to the campaign, while the theatre’s own team has continued to stage events across the borough.

The reported 2027 reopening target remains dependent on the completion of the necessary work and the continued availability of financial and organisational support.

What other theatre work has Julie Hesmondhalgh undertaken?

Hesmondhalgh has supported other regional cultural venues, including the Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre.

She has also co-founded Manchester’s Back Theatre, described in the report as a grassroots, non-profit collective. The project was co-founded with writer Bec Harrison and visual artist Grant Archer.

This work forms part of a broader involvement in independent and community-focused theatre. It demonstrates that Hesmondhalgh’s interest in the arts extends beyond acting roles and includes support for organisations that create opportunities for writers, performers and visual artists.

Her involvement with regional theatre also reflects the continuing importance of venues outside London. Local theatres often provide space for new talent, community events and productions that reflect the lives of the audiences they serve.

Why is the award significant for regional theatre?

The award is significant because it links a high-profile acting career with the preservation of a local theatre.

Hesmondhalgh’s recognition draws attention to the challenges faced by venues that depend on public funding, community support and long-term investment. It also places regional theatre advocacy within the wider conversation about access to culture.

Theatre audiences in Greater Manchester and other parts of the country rely on local venues for live performances, education programmes and opportunities for emerging artists. When a theatre closes, the impact can extend beyond the building itself, affecting workers, performers, local businesses and audiences.

The award does not change the practical challenges facing Oldham Coliseum, including the building work and the need for sustainable funding. However, it gives additional public recognition to the campaign and to the people working to secure the theatre’s future.

Background to Oldham Coliseum’s future

Oldham Coliseum’s future has been shaped by funding pressures, building problems and a local campaign to protect the venue.

The theatre’s annual Arts Council England funding was withdrawn in 2022. The organisation subsequently faced the prospect of closure and operated with a severely reduced staff.

Supporters continued to campaign for the preservation of the Fairbottom Street site. The theatre organisation also continued hosting events around the borough while the main venue remained unavailable.

Plans for the theatre’s future include asbestos removal and structural repairs, supported by an additional £7 million. The venue is expected to reopen in 2027, although the timetable depends on the progress of the work and the organisation’s ability to maintain financial and operational support.

Theatres Trust’s decision to give Hesmondhalgh its first Lifetime Achievement Award reflects the connection between her public advocacy and the community campaign to protect Oldham Coliseum.

Prediction: how could the award affect theatre audiences?

The award could increase public awareness of Oldham Coliseum’s reopening plans and encourage continued interest in the theatre among audiences across Greater Manchester.

For local residents, greater attention may help keep the venue’s future visible while repairs and preparations continue. It could also strengthen recognition of the theatre as a community institution rather than simply a building awaiting renovation.

The award may encourage more audiences to follow Oldham Coliseum’s events outside the main venue and support performances taking place across the borough. Increased engagement could provide useful momentum for the organisation as it works towards its expected 2027 reopening.

For theatre audiences elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Hesmondhalgh’s recognition may also highlight the importance of regional venues and the role they play in developing local talent. However, the long-term effect will depend on funding, the completion of structural work and the theatre’s ability to attract audiences once it reopens.