Born in Stockport, Sally Lindsay, 52, began her career in theatre and standup, and appeared on television in The Royle Family, Fat Friends and Phoenix Nights. For five years she played Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, winning best actress at the 2005 Inside Soap awards. With Suranne Jones, she co-created the idea for, and appeared in, ITV’s Scott & Bailey from 2011 to 2016. She co-writes and plays the lead in The Madame Blanc Mysteries, now in its fourth series; all episodes are available on DVD and online. She lives in London and has twins with her husband, Style Council drummer Steve White.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Oversharing.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Unkindness.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I constantly forget people’s names when they have literally just told me.
Describe yourself in three words
Kind, loyal and (slightly) mad.
What would your superpower be?
I think I am able to talk to anyone.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I gave up that nonsense years ago.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A radio journalist or on the till at Marks & Spencer.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I love listening to made-up Reddit stories to get me to sleep.
Who is your celebrity crush?
It was the late, great Alan Rickman.
What was the last lie you told?
That I would meet my deadline.
To whom would you most like to say sorry and why?
When I was 17 I didn’t visit my gran for six weeks as I was out partying. At the end of that summer she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I never saw the real her again. I would love to say sorry to her as I loved her so much.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband, Steve: he has given me the most magical life and children.
What does love feel like?
So many different types. When I first met my husband, electric and vital. When I first held my boys in my arms, an overwhelming flood of defiant protection and magic.
Which living person do you most despise and why?
I hate everything about Trump. Everything.
skip past newsletter promotion
Sign up to Inside Saturday
The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend.
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
after newsletter promotion
What is the worst job you’ve done?
Cold call market research at uni.
What is your most treasured possession?
My shed.
If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
Dawn French.
When did you last cry and why?
I am a perimenopausal woman, so about two minutes ago, at a dog being adopted on Insta.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
It’s already happened – HRT.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Money.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Always sleep on any decision.
Tell us a joke
Who is the coolest bloke in a hospital? The ultrasound bloke.
Tell us a secret
I can still do the splits.