Jennie McAlpine facts for kids

Jennie Elizabeth McAlpine (born on February 12, 1984) is an English actress, comedian, and businesswoman. She is well-known for playing Michelle Morley in Emmerdale and Fiz Brown in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. In 2017, she also took part in the TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, where she finished in fourth place.

Jennie's Early Life and Family

Jennie McAlpine was born and grew up in Bury, Greater Manchester. Her family has roots in Scotland and Ireland. Her grandfather was from County Kerry and her grandmother was from County Sligo.

When she was a young girl, Jennie loved to put on shows for her neighbours on her patio. She would charge them 50 pence to watch her sing and dance, often copying popular groups like Bananarama.

Her father, Thomas McAlpine, worked in mental healthcare. He always encouraged Jennie to get involved in acting. When she was eight, they even appeared together in a pantomime play. Jennie played the fairy, and her dad was the dame! As a teenager, she joined the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop to learn more about acting. Jennie lived with her father after her parents separated when she was young. She also has one brother.

Jennie's Career Journey

Jennie started her career in comedy at a young age. In 1997, when she was 13, she entered a Young Comedian of the Year competition. She came in second place in the final, which was held at the famous Comedy Store in London. She entered the competition again in 1998 and finished second once more. From 1997 to 2001, she performed stand-up comedy with her father at charity events and local pub nights around Bury.

From 1999 to 2000, Jennie played Michelle Morley in the TV show Emmerdale. After finishing school, she went to Holy Cross College to study for her A-levels.

When she was 17, Jennie auditioned for the role of Fiz Brown in Coronation Street. She got the part and has been playing Fiz since 2001. When she auditioned, her arm was in a sling because she had dislocated her shoulder just two days before! She was first hired for only five episodes. After that, she went back to studying and working part-time at Boots The Chemist.

In 2016, Jennie filled in as a radio presenter for Becky Want on BBC Radio Manchester. In 2017, she joined the cast of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! for its 17th season. She spent 21 days in the jungle and finished in 4th place.

In December 2020, Jennie became the voice for the new Burnley Bus Company Witchway buses. You can hear her giving information and announcing stops on the bus route between Burnley, Rawtenstall, and Manchester.

Jennie's Personal Life

Jennie McAlpine married Chris Farr, who is a restaurant manager, in 2017. They have been together since 2005.

Jennie is very proud of her Scottish background and her famous red hair. She has said that her red hair makes her stand out in England, but when she visits Scotland, she feels "normal" because many people there have similar colouring. She feels her red hair makes her different in a good way. Her granddad Alan was Scottish, and her grandmother was Irish.

Jennie had her first child in 2014. In 2018, she announced she was expecting her second child, who was born later that year.

Other Projects and Interests

Since she was 17, Jennie McAlpine has spent her free time helping children in Egypt through a project called Thebes Project in Luxor.

She also owns a restaurant in Manchester city centre called Annie's, which she opened with her husband, Chris Farr. The restaurant serves modern British food.

Jennie's Acting Roles

Game Show Appearances

Jennie McAlpine has also appeared on many popular game shows:

• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (August 16, 2008) – won £50,000 for charity
• The Cube (January 2, 2011) – won £1,000 for Mood Swings
• All Star Family Fortunes (September 11, 2010)
• The Chase (September 16, 2012) – won £15,750 for Mood Swings
• All Star Mr & Mrs (May 22, 2013)
• Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (July 28, 2013) – won £6,700 for Mood Swings
• Pointless Celebrities (November 30, 2013)
• All Star Family Fortunes (December 28, 2013) – as part of the Coronation Street team, won £30,000 for Mood Swings and The Albert Kennedy Trust
• Countdown (February 8 – 12, 2016) – in Dictionary Corner
• You're Back in the Room (April 9, 2016)
• Rolling In It (August 8, 2020)
• Richard Osman's House of Games (2022)

Awards and Nominations

Jennie McAlpine has been nominated for several awards for her acting:

See also

• List of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series) contestants