Entertainment · Celebrity · 4 hrs ago
Julie Hesmondhalgh says motherhood was a struggle and she regrets losing her temper
Actor Julie Hesmondhalgh said she found motherhood difficult while balancing family life with her career.
The 56-year-old has two daughters, Martha and Lyss, with her husband, writer Ian Kershaw.
She regrets losing her temper with her daughters and said she sometimes took their behaviour personally, although they were only children.
Hesmondhalgh is known for playing Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street, the soap’s first transgender character.
She also appeared on the BBC series Celebrity Traitors, where she was banished despite being a Faithful.
She said she was delighted to be invited because she is a fan of the show.
Hesmondhalgh said the contestants formed close friendships while spending time together away from the game.
Julie Hesmondhalgh said motherhood was a struggle while she balanced family life with her acting career.
The actress said she regrets losing her temper with her daughters and sometimes took their behaviour too personally.
She shares two daughters, Martha, 25, and Lyss, 21, with her husband, writer Ian Kershaw.
Hesmondhalgh also discussed appearing on Celebrity Traitors, saying she was delighted to be asked.
- Who
- Julie Hesmondhalgh, a 56-year-old actress.
- What
- She said motherhood was a struggle and that she regrets losing her temper with her daughters.
- When
- The interview was published on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- She said balancing her own life and work with motherhood was tricky at times.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Age
- 56
- Daughters
- Martha, 25, and Lyss, 21
- Husband
- Writer Ian Kershaw
- Interview outlet
- Good Housekeeping
- Publication date
- 22 October 2026
What people are saying
I found a lot of motherhood a struggle.
I have a lot of regrets about losing my rag with my kids.
I took things too personally; I felt like they were almost trying to make my life difficult, which obviously they weren’t. They were just children.
Balancing my own life and work with motherhood was tricky at times.