Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh, 56, reveals she was forced to go teetotal after fearing she was a 'borderline alcoholic'

Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh has revealed she was forced to give up booze after fearing she was a 'borderline alcoholic'.

The former Coronation Street star, 56, who played Hayley Cropper in the ITV soap from 1998 until 2014, ditched alcohol for good in 2018.

Julie admitted she 'was horrible' before quitting drinking as she opened up on her decision to go teetotal. 

The soap star recalled a recent encounter that she had with a taxi driver who claimed to have driven her eight years ago.

Julie said she was left 'cringing' during their conversation and told the driver she was 'sorry if I was horrible' before ditching the booze. 

She explained further: 'I absolutely cringe whenever a taxi driver says that because I gave up alcohol eight years ago. 

'If it was before then, there's a good chance I was in a total state - crying or ranting. I spend a lot of time fretting that I've upset people.'

Julie added to The Times: 'I absolutely think that there have been times in my life where I was borderline alcoholic. It's hard when you've grown up in the Eighties and Nineties as a working-class northerner because it was such a big part of the culture.'

In the wake of her Traitors departure, Julie spoke to The Sunday Times Magazine about her image – having previously branded herself 'not traditionally beautiful'.

During her 2017 turn as rape survivor Trish Winterman in Broadchurch, her character was described as an 'ordinary-looking middle-aged woman', who was told: 'Of all the women at thatparty, why would someone rape you? It doesn’t make sense.'

On the role and having 'internalised misogyny,' she said: 'Part of me still believed rape is an act of desire when it’s not. It’s an act of violence and it’s about power. But yes, I had to fight the idea that I could not be desirable.'

Julie went on to reference her Traitors co-star Maya Jama in regards to attractiveness, saying: 'I just have to remember that women understand that you can be sexually attractive without looking like Maya Jama.'

Julie explained that she has just been sent a script featuring a flirtation with a fellow character, which left her on edge over image.

She elaborated: 'I’ve been sent a script where I’m having a flirtation and I’ve been thinking, oh, that actor won’t want to flirt with me.'

Julie's debut on the show won her legions of fans when she endeared herself to viewers and her co-stars with her starstruck manners.

After shaking singer James Blunt's hand, Julie hurried over to actress Myha'la, telling her: 'It's lovely to meet you. I'm such a big fan Myha'la. I've watched all of Industry.'

She also got up to shake the hand of Oscar-nominated actor Richard E Grant.

Julie admitted: 'I do get a little bit starstruck and I do get a little bit hungry for friendship with people that I know off the telly so I'm hoping that I can really, really pull that bit of myself back.'

Fans were delighted with her fangirling though as one viewer wrote on X: 'Julie Hesmondhalgh looking like she's just delighted to have been invited to the castle is already one of my favourite things about this series'.

'Few mins in to the Traitors and I'm loving Julie, going to the people she loves the most from the telly! this will be a great series!' agreed another.

Another fan pointed out that the actress has earned her place among the celeb cast, commenting: 'julie hesmondhalgh being starstruck like she isn't literally hayley cropper #traitors.'

Despite the excitement from fans, she was the third star to be banished when her fellow celebrities were convinced she was a Traitor. 

Julie and Hannah Fry, 42, both found themselves in the firing line during the tense roundtable discussions earlier this month, but it was the Coronation Street legend who ultimately received the most votes.

Speaking after being booted out of the castle, Julie shared: 'You know how much I have loved every second of this experience...

'It has been immense, even chuffed to bits standing here because it is iconic. Alas, it may mean that I am not a phenomenal actor. I am indeed a Faithful.'

The celebrities reacted in complete shock at Julie's exit, with Miranda Hart admitting she's 'so angry', while James Blunt apologised for leading the charge against her.

Claudia Winkleman said after the vote: 'Faithful, you have just banished an innocent victim. You are doing the Traitors' work for them. I'd say enjoy your evening, but I think that is going to be a little bit tricky.'