Bobby Norris and Sherrie Hewson
Sherrie Hewson reveals all about working with Dame Joan, a Loose Women return and her time on the cobbles
Sherrie Hewson has been part of some of my favourite shows of all time, so I couldn’t wait to have a chinwag with her to find out all the behind-the-scenes gossip. Sherrie became a household name when she joined Coronation Street in 1993 as Maureen Naylor. She then went on to become a Loose Women
panellist, which saw her on the show for 14 years, and also played Joyce Temple-savage in the legendary series Benidorm.
While there, she worked alongside the iconic Joan Collins and, unsurprisingly, Sherrie says the experience was amazing. “There must have been a thousand people lining the streets for as far as you could see to watch Joan,” she tells me. “When she came out, all these people screamed in the middle of filming. We had to say, ‘Please don’t do that when Joan arrives.’ They just mobbed her. She couldn’t go anywhere!”
These days, Sherrie is keeping busy after setting up a Youtube chat show called Wonderbirds
with her actress pals Harriet Thorpe, Debbie Arnold and Dee Anderson to help them cope throughout lockdown. She says it’s helped her through “the worst time” in her life after her brother died in April from an incurable brain tumour.
Here, the 69-year-old star opens up about her Corrie
days, returning to
Loose Women
and her dream role…
You’ve had an incredible career, Sherrie! There are so many shows I’d love to talk to you about, so let’s start with Coronation Street…
I only went in for six weeks and I stayed for five years. I loved every second of it. I had the funniest relationship with Ken Morley, who played Reg, my husband, and Elizabeth Bradley, who played my mother Maud. The writing was just sensational. I think Maureen is still in Germany somewhere, so she’s still alive. She could be brought back at any moment.
Who do you still speak to from your time on the street?
Sally Dynevor is one of the sweetest, loveliest people. No one could be a nicer person than Sally. I’m proud to call her a friend. Bill Roache is a lovely friend too. I fell in love with him when I first went in and I probably am still in love
with him now.
Did life change when you joined Corrie?
I’d done 20 odd years in the business. I was a known actress, but not a household name and I didn’t realise how it would change. I remember Sarah Lancashire saying to me, “Get behind this door,” because outside would be covered in the biggest lenses you’ve ever seen from paparazzi. She’d say, “For goodness sake, get away from the window – they’re taking your photo.” It didn’t occur to me that was what they were doing. I enjoyed it in the beginning. I thought it was funny that all these people would sit outside all day long to get one shot of somebody. That was a big learning curve for me.
Tell me about your time on Benidorm…
It was the best job in the world.
I mean, six months in Benidorm every year for 10 years – what on earth could be better? Joan Collins played my boss who disliked me intensely because she thought I was very common and did everything to get me sacked. We had the best of relationships – I just loved her. We used to have Friday and Saturday nights off. So Friday night we’d be out, but Saturday night we’d be out, out – which I can’t tell you about because then I’d have to kill you! [Laughs]
Ha! Joan Collins is an icon. What was she like on set?
She really is the last of our divas. And when I say divas, I mean in the most wonderful sense. We would all arrive at make-up with no make-up on, but she would be in heels, the suit, the make-up, the eyelashes, the hair – everything perfect. I loved her. We got on really well. She’s one of those people that walks in the room and you go, “She’s fabulous!” She had that air about her and I loved that. You’d want to be like her if you met her.
I bet she has the most amazing stories from her career…
Yes. She didn’t tell people much because she’s very discreet.
I’m sure if she had a drink she’d let it go!
Did Dame Joan ever join you on your Saturday nights out, out?
No! The only time was when me, the writer Derren [Litten] and the producer went to this fabulous hotel she was put in. And then another time we went to a restaurant with her husband Percy [Gibson]. Everybody needs a Percy. He can speak every language, he knows every wine there is in the world and he knows all about food. He knows all about everything.
What’s Joan’s tipple of choice? I bet she’s a champagne girl…
Yes, she likes a champagne. But even then she didn’t let go, really. She didn’t tell stories. I don’t think we had enough champagne!
Have you heard any news about Benidorm ever coming back?
No, not at all. But look at the time we live in – we don’t even know when television is coming back. But I would love to do a Benidorm special. We all talk and keep in touch and reminisce. It’s still in people’s minds and I think people still
want it.
Defo! How did you find working on Loose Women?
I loved it. Those girls were amazing. We all went through terrible times on that show. I went through a divorce and I lost all my hair. I had to wear a wig and when I look back, it looked ridiculous! But we all supported each other and I’ll always have love for those girls.
Why did you make the decision to leave?
I don’t really know. It was at a time when I was doing Benidorm six months of the year, so I’d be missing from February to July. I think at the time it was just one of those things that happened. But
I’ve missed it ever since. It was just fabulous.
Would you consider going back?
If they asked me I’d always go back and sit on the panel and talk nonsense. I always had some kind of weird story to tell and I still have. I’d love to do it.
What would be your dream acting role?
I guess to play my Benidorm character Joyce in a film. Or I’d like to play a detective, but I’m too old for all of that!
You’re never too old, hun! I’ve got my fingers crossed for a Benidorm film…
You could be in it!
Oh, I’d love to. Have a word with Derren for me, will you?
I certainly will!
Finally, tell me about your Youtube show, Wonderbirds…
We were all talking one day about how difficult this world is now and about what’s happening at home – we’re all getting fat, we’re all drinking too much and we’re all growing hairs out of every part of our body! So we said, “Why don’t we do this online?” We’ve had loads of guests who have come and told us their story about lockdown. It’s opened our eyes.
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