A quick chat with Hollyoaks' Sheree Murphy

A quick chat with Hollyoaks' Sheree Murphy
A quick chat with Hollyoaks' Sheree Murphy

TV Times talks to Sheree Murphy about her return to soaps in Channel 4's Hollyoaks and how she's managing to bring up three kids at the same time... So why did you decide to return to the world of soaps? “To be honest the timing is not great! If Hollyoaks hadn’t said, 'Come and read for the part', then I probably wouldn’t have put myself forward for work, because I am snowed under with the kids." (Eight-year-old son TJ and her two daughters, six-year-old Ruby and two-year-old Matilda with footballer Harry Kewell) And Harry is of course currently playing in Turkey? "For the first six months of Harry being away, I did everything on my own, and then realised I was trying to do something that I couldn’t quite cope with. Now, I have a nanny three days a week, and if I have to do overnights, my mum comes over. At the moment, it’s OK, because I’m not super busy, but I’m sure I’ll be speaking differently when it really kicks in." At 34, presumably you would be considered a pensioner in Hollyoaks terms? "I’ve got a baby belly and my boobs aren’t where they used to be. But at the same time, I’m not going to compare myself to them. They’re all gorgeous and lovely, but I was young and had a good body once, too." What is it like when you do get to see Harry? "It is quite romantic when I go over there on my own; it’s lovely to go for dinner and not have to hurry back for the babysitter." So you are willing to put up with the arrangements for a while longer? "It’s sod’s law. Harry loves playing out there, so football-wise, it’s fantastic. At Liverpool, he was home every day, but he was totally miserable toward the end. But, if it doesn’t work out, he’ll come home or we’ll move over there. He’s got a great job, and I’ve got a great job, but at the end of the day, nothing’s worth sacrificing your family for." And are there any plans for more children? "We’d like one more."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.