Debra Stephenson
I began entertaining, professionally, as a comedy impressionist at the age of thirteen, working in cabaret clubs, holiday centres and appearing in pantomimes and summer season. In 1987 I appeared on BBC Television's "Opportunity Knocks" winning my way through to the All-Winner's Final broadcast live from the London Palladium.
Later, continuing my career as a stand-up comedy impressionist, I switched to what was then known as a 'alternative comedy'. My successful participation in the 1990 Edinburgh festival was followed by a string of appearances at student union gigs around the country, as well as at venues on the circuit such as London's The Comedy Store and The Green Room in Manchester. By this time I had also been asked to take part in doing some voices for "Spitting Image".
At eighteen, I joined the Manchester based rave band, "Rhythm Quest" as lead singer, touring with the group in Scotland and the North of England, appearing in clubs like the Tunnel in Glasgow and Bowler's in Manchester. I also featured as lead vocalist on cult club smash "When I get to Heaven" by John Rob's band "Sensuround".
Then in 1993 I decided to train as an actress at the Manchester Metropolitan University School of Drama, whilst at the same time continuing to work as a voice-over artist and actress/impressionist on radio and TV.
Since graduating, I have hardly had a moment to myself! I first appeared in several episodes of ITV's "Reckless", starring Robson Green, before becoming a regular in children's ITV comedy drama "Cone Zone" and subsequently co-presenting CBBC's "The Friday Zone". A good role in "Midsomer Murders" followed, and I was soon cast as a running character, Diane in the successful BBC drama, "Playing the Field" which ran for the next three years. By this time I had been cast as Shell Dockley in ITV's "Bad Girls" for which I was twice nominated for the National Television Awards Most Popular Actress, as well as winning the TV QuickAward for Best Actress.
In contrast to my role in "Bad Girls", I have also found time to fit in lead roles to my TV dramas, such as ITV's Catharine Cookson drama "A Dinner of herbs" and "Spooks" (BBC1), as well as starring in two series of BBC1 sketch show "TV to go". I also took the female lead in the ITV Pantomime "Dick Whittington" .
Other TV appearances include "This Morning", " GMTV", "The Frank Skinner Show" "The Brian Conley Show", "Lilly Savage's Blankety Blank", "It's only TV but I like it" and "Stars in their Eyes Celebrity Special" which I won with an impersonation of Kylie Minogue.
The last 3 years have been great fun. After completing work on the fifth series of Bad Girls I was offered the role of Frankie Baldwin in Coronation Street. Since being a Corrie regular I have still found time to compete in 'Celebrity Fame Acadamy', release a solo album and fitness DVD and take part in Channel 4's 'Friday night Project', as well as do some comedy impressions and singing in 'Soap Queens' at the Blackpool Opera House.
Visit my website at www.debrastephenson.com
Acting enquiries for Debra contact ICM, website: www.icmtalent.com