20 Facts About Jill Halfpenny

Jill Halfpenny was born on 15 July 1975 and is an English actress.

Jill Halfpenny won the second series of the television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing in 2004.

Jill Halfpenny began her acting career in 1989 at the age of 14 in the BBC television children's drama series Byker Grove, filmed in the Benwell area of Newcastle upon Tyne.

In 2002, Halfpenny took the major role of Kate Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, where her character was introduced as a police officer sent to spy on Phil Mitchell, but after her cover was blown she quit the police force, married Phil and opened a nail salon.

In 2004, Jill Halfpenny participated in the BBC One pro-celebrity ballroom dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing, dancing with professional Darren Bennett.

In 2005, Jill Halfpenny appeared in The Bodies, a new play adapted from an Emile Zola novel by Peter Flannery at the Live Theatre, Newcastle, opposite her real-life husband, actor Craig Conway.

In 2005 and 2006, Jill Halfpenny appeared in hit pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Jill Halfpenny was the guest presenter for and performed in the first show of the BBC four-part series The Sound of Musicals in January 2006 and played Roxy Ball in Shameless in an episode broadcast on 31 January 2006.

In 2006, Jill Halfpenny made a guest appearance in an episode of The Catherine Tate Show.

From spring 2006, Jill Halfpenny appeared in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road as drama teacher Izzie Redpath, a role for which she won the TV Quick Award for "Best Actress".

Jill Halfpenny's character was killed-off at the end of the second series.

In 2007 Jill Halfpenny appeared as the narrator of Freaky Eaters for BBC Three and Fat Man's Warning for Channel 4.

Jill Halfpenny narrated a short film advertising how the National Lottery helps the North East, created by students at the Lord Lawson of Beamish School as part of a competition.

Jill Halfpenny starred in the West End production of Calendar Girls from 28 July to 31 October 2009, and then played the part of Paulette Bonafonte in the West End company of Legally Blonde, which opened in January 2010 with previews beginning in December 2009.

Jill Halfpenny played the part until late October 2010 and she was succeeded by Denise van Outen.

Jill Halfpenny made a guest appearance in the Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries, in episode one of the fifth series, first broadcast in 2012.

In September 2014, along with Tim Healy, Jill Halfpenny narrated the history of the north-east of England as part of the ceremony for the Great North Run.

Jill Halfpenny has enjoyed a successful theatre career, with roles ranging from pantomime to the West End, in productions including Uncle Vanya, Calendar Girls, Abigail's Party, and Chicago.

Jill Halfpenny married fellow actor Craig Conway in 2007; together they have one child.

Jill Halfpenny is an ambassador for children's charity Kidscape, and in 2013 was awarded "Freeman of the Borough of Gateshead".