Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay has called for more stories by and for working-class people to be told after she was honoured at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. The 52-year-old actress, best known for playing Shelley Unwin on the ITV soap from 2001 to 2006, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's New Year Honours for her services to drama.
Speaking after the ceremony, where she received her MBE from the Prince of Wales, Lindsay said the honour held "deep meaning" for her. "It's been quite overwhelming actually, because obviously you work really hard all your career, and you look back and it seems like yesterday that you started," she told the Press Association. "It's wonderful to be recognised for that – I feel like many other people should be as well, but I'm just very lucky to be here today."
Working-class representation in TV
Lindsay highlighted the declining representation of working-class people in the entertainment industry. "I come from a very working-class background and unfortunately it's decreasing, the working-classes in our industry, as in there's only 8%, 9% of us in front or behind the camera," she said. "And I'd really like to accept this on behalf of all of us who got here and stayed here, and I wish there was more of us because I think our stories need to be told."
The actress, who also co-created and stars in Channel 5's The Madame Blanc Mysteries, urged authorities and TV companies to "make space for the working classes." She stressed the need for paid entry-level positions rather than unpaid internships. "We need to pay them as opposed to having interns, because that's how people get on the first ladders, especially behind the scenes," she explained.
Advice for aspiring working-class actors
When asked what advice she would give to someone from a working-class background wanting to break into the industry, Lindsay said: "We've got one thing now that everybody's got, and that's the internet. I'm not saying that that's an answer, but we've got access to everything now. Try and find out what is your nearest drama school, set a drama club up at school. Be the start of it, never don't do anything. Just keep walking in little steps toward the goal you want and you will get there." She added: "It will be harder for you, let me tell you, and it won't be as easy because you haven't got the financial backup. But if you want to get there, you will get there."
Lindsay herself worked three jobs a week to pay for drama school after leaving university with an English degree, as she had not realised a career in acting was possible until then. She called for greater representation, noting: "There are so many actors from a very privileged background with working-class accents in films now, or on television – which is fine, we're actors. But there are so many stories of the working classes that need to be told."
Women in the creative industries
Lindsay also spoke about women in the creative industries and her work as both actress and producer on The Madame Blanc Mysteries, a project she wanted to be women-led. "Women my age are so much more interesting, we got so many stories to tell, we've got so much to say. Women like to see women, and women love to see themselves on television – it's all about representation. It's very important and I feel like I'm here to represent the 50-year-old Northern woman," she laughed.
Also receiving recognition at the same ceremony was Marlie Packer, the English Rugby Union flanker and double World Cup winner, who was made an OBE for services to rugby union football. Packer, who attended with her partner Rosie, recently announced she is leaving Saracens after nine years and will play her last game for the club on Sunday against Harlequins, the team she is joining next season. "It's a very exciting time, it's in a final," she said. "The occasion itself is very special. I'm really looking forward to it, but it's quite funny that my last game for Saracens is at the club that I'm signing for next season, Harlequins. It's quite fitting. It will just be that fairy tale finish."
