Sally Lindsay reveals radio rejection heartbreak and the secret that keeps her marriage strong
Sally Lindsay has been a familiar face on British telly for years, with roles in Coronation Street, Still Open All Hours, and her latest hit, The Madame Blanc Mysteries. But while she’s now known for her sharp wit and northern charm, her journey to TV success wasn’t exactly smooth.
Before the soap fame, Sally actually dreamed of working in radio. While studying at Hull University, she hosted her own show and had her heart set on becoming a radio journalist. But despite her talent, she was told her accent was “too northern” to make it on air, reported Belfast Live.
“I got rejected by all the local radio stations because they didn’t like northern accents,” she previously told The Express. “Even though I was in Hull!” One station even bluntly said, “We don’t need a female Terry Christian, thanks very much.” Looking back, she said there were barely any regional voices on the radio in the ’90s — a reality that pushed her towards acting and comedy instead.
Sally got her big break after catching the attention of Peter Kay, who cast her in Phoenix Nights. That opened the door to other TV roles, including her stint as Michelle in The Royal Family. But it was landing the part of Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street in 2001 that made her a household name. She stayed on the soap for five years, appearing in 750 episodes and even picking up a Best Actress award at the Inside Soap Awards.
These days, she’s fronting her own detective series on Channel 5 and is about to return to screens with Sally Lindsay’s 70s Quiz Night, joined by John Thomson, Shaparak Khorsandi, and a host of celebrity guests.
Off screen, Sally’s life is just as full. She’s married to Steve White, a drummer who’s played with Paul Weller and The Style Council — and they share twin boys, Louie and Victor.
Sally says keeping their relationship strong while juggling showbiz careers comes down to time apart. “Working away a lot is what keeps the spark in our marriage,” she told Prima. “We always have loads to talk about.”
Steve even works behind the scenes on her shows as head of music. “He’s brilliant,” she said. “He’s lovely, he’s sexy, he’s funny — and a rock star, which helps! He’s also the best dad.” From being told her voice didn’t fit to now leading primetime shows, Sally’s story is proof that northern voices really do belong centre stage.
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