Jennifer Ellison, best known for her role as Emily Shadwick in the Channel 4 soap Brookside, has made a return to television after a decade-long hiatus. The 43-year-old actress stars in ITV's new Liverpool-set comedy G'wed, which aired on June 8, 2026. In the show, she plays Anna, the estranged mother of Aimee Morris, portrayed by Amber Harrison.
Transformation for New Role
Fans may find Ellison unrecognisable in her new role, having swapped her signature bright blonde hair for a redhead look. This transformation marks her first TV appearance in ten years.
Opening Up About Sugar Addiction
Following the premiere, Ellison appeared on Good Morning Britain on June 23, 2026, where hosts Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh quizzed her about her hiatus and health. She attributed her break to a lack of confidence and focusing on raising her three sons – Bobby, Harry, and Charlie – with husband Robbie Tickle.
Ellison candidly discussed her past sugar addiction, revealing she consumed six to seven cans of cola daily, equating to 79 kilograms of sugar per year. She said, “I didn’t realise until I worked out how many cans of coke I was drinking a day. I know it sounds silly but it was kind of energy so it was like getting through the day, having a can of coke.”
When asked if it was fizzy drinks rather than food, she confirmed, “Yes, it was drinking a lot of drinks. By the time someone put in front of me the amount of sugar I was drinking a day – I don’t know how I’ve got any teeth left.”
Awareness of Sugar Addiction
Ellison emphasised the addictive nature of sugar, stating, “People don’t realise how addictive it is and that’s the thing because there is not much education around it and there are not many people aware of how addictive it can be.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX. Season three of G'wed is currently available to stream on ITVX.
