AWARD-winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh said her new television role in Cucumber will cause a stir.

The 44-year-old, from Accrington, will play Cleo, sister of a gay man in the Channel 4 show which premiers on Thursday.

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She told TV Times: “I hope people won’t be shocked by Cucumber, because I think people know I’ve always been very involved in LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) politics and that I’m not Hayley.

“The issues around Hayley were very important to me, but I’m a different person. I think that Cucumber will cause a stir, but I hope it’s something that people would expect me to do.”

Julie, who played transgender Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street before bowing out after 15 years pounding the famous cobbles, added: “It was a loss leaving Corrie, life-changing in fact and I don’t think I’ve properly processed it yet.

“It was so busy leading up to my leaving and I was completely immersed in the beautiful, moving storyline they gave me as my finale.”