# Debra Stephenson
**Debra Stephenson** is an English actor, comedian, singer and impressionist, known for the dramatic roles of Shell Dockley in *Bad Girls* and Frankie Baldwin in *Coronation Street*, and for celebrity impressions on shows including *The Impressions Show with Culshaw & Stephenson*, *Newzoids*, *Dead Ringers*, and *Spitting Image*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) • [2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/debra_stephenson/) Born in 1972 in Hull, England, she began performing professionally as a comedy impressionist at the age of thirteen and has since worked across television, radio, stage, and voice acting.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) • [3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972, Hull, England, UK[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) |
| Signature acting roles | Shell Dockley in *Bad Girls* (1999–2005, 36 episodes); Frankie Baldwin in *Coronation Street* (2004–2006)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) • [4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) |
| Impressions shows | *The Impressions Show with Culshaw & Stephenson* (BBC One, 2009–2011, 20 episodes); *Newzoids* (ITV, 2015); *The Imitation Game* (ITV, 2018, team captain)[5](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/impressions_show/episodes/1/1/) • [6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/39884/debra-stephenson) |
| Radio | Cast member of BBC Radio 4's *Dead Ringers* from series 12, credited on 63 episodes (series 12–22)[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/dead_ringers/cast_crew/full/) |
| Voice work | Voice of the Queen in Channel 4's deepfake Alternative Christmas Message (2020); voices on the BritBox *Spitting Image* revival (2021)[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) • [2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/debra_stephenson/) |
| Early break | Appeared on BBC's *Opportunity Knocks* in 1987, reaching the All-Winners Final broadcast live from the London Palladium[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/) |
| Nominations | National Television Awards nomination for Best Newcomer for *Coronation Street*; NTA Best Actress nominations for *Bad Girls* in 1999 and 2000[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) |
## Early life and start in impressions
Stephenson grew up in Hull and took drama lessons during her school years with Honor Pallant, a teacher who ran the Spin Off Productions theater group in the city.[8](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/hulls-debra-stephenson-brings-her-impressions-to-leeds-city-varities-and-scarborough-spa-theatre-4180711) She has said that her father started her off in impressions: he did them constantly, and the two performed a kind of double act for friends and family.[9](https://www.whattowatch.com/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/doing-impressions-is-my-first-real-love-says-debra-stephenson-87076) Her first impression was [Margaret Thatcher](https://www.edgepedia.org/margaret-thatcher), delivered in a six-year-old voice with the line "When I become Prime Minister...", and her first singing impression was [Kate Bush](https://www.edgepedia.org/kate-bush).[9](https://www.whattowatch.com/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/doing-impressions-is-my-first-real-love-says-debra-stephenson-87076)
**Professional start.** She began entertaining professionally at thirteen, working in cabaret clubs, holiday centers, pantomimes, and summer seasons.[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/) In 1987 she appeared on [BBC Television](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-television)'s *Opportunity Knocks*, getting through to the All-Winners Final broadcast live from the [London Palladium](https://www.edgepedia.org/london-palladium).[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/) The show's host, [Bob Monkhouse](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-monkhouse), later said in an interview that he thought she would do well "if she diversifies her talent", advice she has described as valuable because work purely for impressionists is niche.[8](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/hulls-debra-stephenson-brings-her-impressions-to-leeds-city-varities-and-scarborough-spa-theatre-4180711) She later continued as a stand-up comedy impressionist and moved into what she calls alternative comedy.[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/)
## Acting career
**Bad Girls.** Stephenson played the memorably psychotic inmate Shell Dockley in the ITV prison drama *Bad Girls* from 1999 to 2005, appearing in 36 episodes.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) • [8](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/hulls-debra-stephenson-brings-her-impressions-to-leeds-city-varities-and-scarborough-spa-theatre-4180711) The role brought her National Television Awards nominations for Best Actress in 1999 and 2000.[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) After completing work on the fifth series, she was offered the role of Frankie Baldwin in *Coronation Street*.[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/)
**Coronation Street and later television.** She played Frankie Baldwin on *Coronation Street* from 2004 to 2006, a role that earned her a Best Newcomer nomination at the National Television Awards.[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) She left the soap in 2006.[9](https://www.whattowatch.com/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/doing-impressions-is-my-first-real-love-says-debra-stephenson-87076) Later television acting includes Jeni Sinclaire and Harriet Jacobson in BBC's *Holby City* (2017–2021, 23 episodes), roles in *Doctors* (2017–2019), Chloe's Mum in *My Mad Fat Diary* series 2 (2014), Dulcie in the prequel comedy *Young Hyacinth* (2016), and Anita in *Mrs. Brown's Boys* (2023).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) • [2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/debra_stephenson/) In 2021 she appeared in the film *Give Them Wings*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/)
## Impressionism and comedy
**The Impressions Show.** Stephenson's best-known impressions vehicle is *The Impressions Show with Culshaw & Stephenson*, in which she co-starred with impressionist Jon Culshaw on [BBC One](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-one) from 2009 to 2011 across three series and 20 episodes.[5](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/impressions_show/episodes/1/1/) Reviewers of the first episode singled out her work: Robert Collins in *The Telegraph* noted that she "nails the voices of not just one but both Minogues", and Radio Times praised her as "equally convincing as Dannii Minogue or a grimacing Davina McCall".[5](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/impressions_show/episodes/1/1/) Her recurring targets have included [Davina McCall](https://www.edgepedia.org/davina-mccall), Anne Robinson, and Cheryl Cole.[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/)
**Newzoids and The Imitation Game.** She was a member of the impressionist team on ITV's *Newzoids* (2015), a topical satirical puppet and CGI sketch show, performing the female voices.[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) • [9](https://www.whattowatch.com/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/doing-impressions-is-my-first-real-love-says-debra-stephenson-87076) In 2018 she served as a team captain on ITV's comedy panel show *The Imitation Game*, alongside host [Alexander Armstrong](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexander-armstrong) and fellow impressionist [Rory Bremner](https://www.edgepedia.org/rory-bremner), in a seven-episode series.[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/39884/debra-stephenson) • [10](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_imitation_game/interviews/debra_stephenson_2018/) In interviews about the show she described her approach as affectionate rather than nasty, saying that the best impressions "always have an element of affection" and that impersonating someone is a way of paying tribute.[10](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_imitation_game/interviews/debra_stephenson_2018/) She named the singer Dame Shirley Bassey as her all-time favorite impression and said the singing-impression format suited her musical theater background.[10](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_imitation_game/interviews/debra_stephenson_2018/)
**Radio and puppet satire.** Stephenson is a cast member of the award-winning [BBC Radio 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-radio-4) topical impressions show *Dead Ringers*, joining from series 12 when the show returned in 2014 after a seven-year gap, and credited on 63 episodes across series 12 to 22.[7](https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/dead_ringers/cast_crew/full/) • [11](https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/the-award-winning-dead-ringers-is-back) She also provided voices for the BritBox revival of *Spitting Image* in 2021, credited on ten episodes of series 22.[2](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/debra_stephenson/)
**Voice acting.** In 2020 she was the voice actor behind the deepfake version of the Queen's Alternative Christmas Day Message on [Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4).[4](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/) Her animation and voice credits include *Scream Street* (2015–2016) and the UK version of *The Queen's Corgi* (2019), in which she voiced Margaret and [Melania Trump](https://www.edgepedia.org/melania-trump).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/)
## Live performance and other work
Stephenson's live work includes her *Night of One Hundred Voices* tour, in which she takes on the personas of flamboyant musical characters and recreates her television impressions, and she works as an awards host and corporate performer.[12](https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/debra-stephenson/) She has described singing impressions as central to her live shows, saying she loves singing and has done a lot of musical theater.[10](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_imitation_game/interviews/debra_stephenson_2018/) [Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment) television appearances include *The Friday Night Project*, *8 Out of 10 Cats*, *Let's Dance for Sports Relief*, *Get Your Act Together*, and *Pointless Celebrities*.[12](https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/debra-stephenson/) • [6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/39884/debra-stephenson) She won a *Stars in Their Eyes* Celebrity Special with an impersonation of [Kylie Minogue](https://www.edgepedia.org/kylie-minogue).[3](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/)
## Personal life
Stephenson has been married to James Duffield since June 1999, and the couple have two children.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/) She lives in Dorset.[13](https://www.performingartistes.co.uk/artistes/debra-stephenson) In 2026 she performed at a charity event that raised £7,000 for the Brocklehurst Neurosurgical Fund at Hull Royal Infirmary, with impressions including [Lorraine Kelly](https://www.edgepedia.org/lorraine-kelly) and Melania Trump.[14](https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/news/hull-comedian-debra-stephenson-helps-neurosurgery/)
## References
1. [Debra Stephenson, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827228/)
2. [Debra Stephenson, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/debra_stephenson/)
3. [Debra Stephenson, Comedian, Impressionist, Aries Entertainment](https://ariesentertainment.co.uk/debra-stephenson-comedian-impressionist/)
4. [Debra Stephenson, Impressionist and Voice Actor, Great British Voices](https://www.greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/debra-stephenson-voice-actor/)
5. [The Impressions Show With Culshaw & Stephenson: Series 1, Episode 1, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/impressions_show/episodes/1/1/)
6. [Debra Stephenson, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/39884/debra-stephenson)
7. [Full Dead Ringers cast & crew, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/dead_ringers/cast_crew/full/)
8. [Hull's Debra Stephenson brings her impressions to Leeds City Varieties and Scarborough Spa Theatre, Yorkshire Post](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/hulls-debra-stephenson-brings-her-impressions-to-leeds-city-varities-and-scarborough-spa-theatre-4180711)
9. ['Doing impressions is my first real love' says Debra Stephenson, What to Watch](https://www.whattowatch.com/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/doing-impressions-is-my-first-real-love-says-debra-stephenson-87076)
10. [Debra Stephenson interview, The Imitation Game, British Comedy Guide](https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_imitation_game/interviews/debra_stephenson_2018/)
11. [The return of Dead Ringers, ITV This Morning](https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/the-award-winning-dead-ringers-is-back)
12. [Book Debra Stephenson, Gordon Poole Entertainment](https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/debra-stephenson/)
13. [Debra Stephenson, Performing Artistes](https://www.performingartistes.co.uk/artistes/debra-stephenson)
14. [Hull comedian Debra Stephenson helps neurosurgery, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust](https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/news/hull-comedian-debra-stephenson-helps-neurosurgery/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Sh to S*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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