Profile: Jennifer Ellison

10 September 2008 01:05pm

Real Name: Jennifer Ellison

Birth Date: May 30, 1983

Image: Blonde pin-up, actress, singer and dancer

Best Known For: Playing Emily Shadwick in the TV soap Brookside until 2003

Early Life: Jennifer was born in Liverpool and has one sister.

A keen dancer, she performed in many concerts throughout her childhood and won many dance contests.

In her teens she secured a coveted place at the Royal Ballet School but soon after she landed her first major TV role and her dancing was put on hold.

Jennifer first wrote to the producers of the Channel 4 soap Brookside when she was nine, asking for an audition.

At 14, Jennifer took the leading role of Emily Shadwick in the show - her first contract was for six episodes but she stayed for five years, and the part made her famous.

Career High: Landing a role in Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of The Phantom Of The Opera in 2003.

Love Life: Jennifer was once engaged to former boyfriend Tony Richardson.

She also previously dated footballer Steven Gerrard.

Don't Mention: Late night shoots. Jen filmed through the night when she was working on her film The Cottage and has joked that she went "a little bit crazy" working in the wee hours.

Words Of Wisdom: "I came out of the womb born to act, sing and dance. I have to follow my heart."

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