# Michelle Holmes
**Michelle Holmes** (birth name Corinne Michelle Cunliffe, born 1967) is an English actress from Rochdale, Lancashire.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) Her first role was receptionist Susan Turner in the ITV soap *The Practice*, which she held for two years, and she made her name as Sue, one of the babysitters, in the 1987 film *Rita, Sue and Bob Too*.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) She is known for playing Tina Fowler in *Coronation Street* (1989–1990) and Britt Woods in *Emmerdale* (1995), and for her longest sitcom role, Yvonne Sparrow in *Goodnight Sweetheart*, 27 episodes across three series (1993–1996).[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) Her later television work includes DC Barbara Maddox in *Above Suspicion* (2009–2012) and an appearance in *Hollyoaks* (2017–2018).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and date | Corinne Michelle Cunliffe, born 1967 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) |
| First role | Receptionist Susan Turner in the ITV soap *The Practice*, a role that lasted two years[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) |
| Signature soap roles | Tina Fowler in *Coronation Street* (1989–1990); Lindsay Carmichael in *Emmerdale* (1992); Britt Woods in *Emmerdale* (1995)[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) |
| Longest sitcom role | Yvonne Sparrow in *Goodnight Sweetheart*, 27 episodes across three series (1993–1996)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) |
| Later television | DC Barbara Maddox in *Above Suspicion*, 8 episodes (2009–2012); *Hollyoaks* (2017–2018)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) |
## Early life
Holmes was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, the only child of Lynne and her husband.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) Her father walked out on the family, and Lynne worked on a market stall to support her daughter; Lynne later remarried and a half sister, Jane, was born.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) When Lynne suffered a brain hemorrhage, Michelle was 15, and she moved in with her grandfather, retired plumbers' merchant Harvey Cunliffe.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
At school she loved acting and took part in a march organized by MP Cyril Smith to get drama back on the national curriculum, then joined The Oldham Theatre Workshop.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
## Early career
Holmes's first acting role was Susan Turner, the rebellious receptionist in the Granada Television soap *The Practice*, a part she held for two years.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) According to a 1985 *TV Times* piece, she got the part "by turning on the cheek", telling producers she wanted to be an actress and to speak lines.[3](https://mcmweb.co.uk/tvtimes/1985/1985-02-23%20--%201985-03-01%20%28Thames-LWT%29.pdf)
The following year she appeared as Jenny in *Damon and Debbie*, the *Brookside* spin-off, alongside Simon O'Brien and [Gillian Kearney](https://www.edgepedia.org/gillian-kearney).[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
## Soap operas and situation comedy
**Coronation Street.** In 1989 Holmes joined *Coronation Street* as barmaid Tina Fowler, a role she played for two years.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
**Emmerdale.** In 1992 she appeared as Archie Brooks's girlfriend Lindsay Carmichael, and in 1995 she rejoined the program as bar manageress Britt Woods for a year.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
**Goodnight Sweetheart.** She joined [Nicholas Lyndhurst](https://www.edgepedia.org/nicholas-lyndhurst) in the BBC comedy series *Goodnight Sweetheart*, playing Yvonne Sparrow for three series; TVmaze records 27 episodes between 1993 and 1996.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) Roles in the comedies *Firm Friends* (as Maggie Coles) and *Common as Muck* (as Marie, 12 episodes) followed.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes)
## Later television work
Holmes built a steady career as a guest and recurring player across British serial drama. Her television credits listed by [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) include *Dangerfield*, *Hetty Wainthropp Investigates*, *Holby City*, *Life Begins*, *Heartbeat*, *Shameless*, *Waterloo Road*, *The Chase*, *Monroe*, *Cold Feet*, *Casualty*, *Doctors*, and *Vera*.[4](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/michelle-holmes/credits/3030479433/) Specific appearances include Claudie Williams in *The Chase* (2006), Lyndsay Woodham in *Waterloo Road* (2007), Teresa in *Shameless* (2008), Brenda in *The Road to Coronation Street* (2010), and Trina Nevins in the *Midsomer Murders* episode "Harvest of Souls" (2016).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) Her most substantial later part was DC Barbara Maddox in the eight-episode series *Above Suspicion* (2009–2012).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes) She appeared in *Hollyoaks* from 2017 to 2018.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391969/)
On stage she appeared at the Bolton Octagon Theatre in *Road*, *Midnight Hour*, and *Eight Miles High*, before playing Annie in the BBC drama *Mr Wroe's Virgins* and performing the radio play *Red Devils*.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
## Music
When not acting, Holmes has toured in a band with former *Coronation Street* actress Sue Devaney called The Dunky Dobbers.[1](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html) The everything.explained profile likewise notes she performed in a pop band called the Dunky Dobbers.[7](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391969/)
## The American actress of the same name
A separate American **Michelle Holmes** works in Los Angeles as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and casting director, and should not be confused with the English actress.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391970/) She holds an MFA in Acting from UCLA and a BS in Theatre from [Northwestern University](https://www.edgepedia.org/northwestern-university), and holds joint US and Irish citizenship.[6](https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/michelleholmes) Her film work includes *Song from a Blackbird* (2014), screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and *Chemical Cut* (2016), which had its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391970/) She is the principal singer, songwriter, and bassist of the band Crazy Aunt Mary, is a Grammy-voting member of The Recording Academy, and in the 2000s played bass and sang for the indie band Moe Jones.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391970/) Her television series *Middlehood* (2025), in which she plays Oma, won Best TV Series, Best Director, and Best Lead Actress at the New York City International Film Festival.[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391970/) Her stage work in Los Angeles has drawn award nominations, including a 2024 Robby Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress in a [Play](https://www.edgepedia.org/play-theatre) for Helga ten Dorp in *Deathtrap* at International City Theatre.[6](https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/michelleholmes)
## References
1. [Michelle Holmes, Corrie.net actor profiles](https://www.corrie.net/profiles/actors/holmes_michelle.html)
2. [Michelle Holmes, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/51339/michelle-holmes)
3. [The Soaps Page, TV Times 23 February – 1 March 1985](https://mcmweb.co.uk/tvtimes/1985/1985-02-23%20--%201985-03-01%20%28Thames-LWT%29.pdf)
4. [Michelle Holmes List of Movies and TV Shows, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/michelle-holmes/credits/3030479433/)
5. [Michelle Holmes (II), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391970/)
6. [Michelle Holmes resume, Actors Access](https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/michelleholmes)
7. [Michelle Holmes - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391969/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Soap operas and continuing serials › British and Australasian soaps and characters › Emmerdale*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 20, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license