Street star julie gets threatened by racists

By Sunday Sun | Sunday, 7 March 2004 | Click here for original article

Coronation street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has received threatening letters from far-right thugs after taking a public stand against fascism, it emerged yesterday.

Julie, who plays transsexual Hayley Cropper in the ITV soap, is a long-term supporter of the Unite Against Fascism group and regularly speaks at its rallies.

Speaking at a UAF rally in Manchester yesterday, the 34-year-old said she had received threatening letters and had her personal details posted on far-right websites.

She said: "It's a bit of intimidation. I've been getting offensive stuff and letters. The worst things are always anonymous. They have been posting things on websites. It's just a horrible, horrible thing."

The personal details of Coronation Street co-star and fellow anti-racist campaigner Shobna Gulati, who plays shop assistant Sunita, are also on the site.

Julie said: "I'd rather stay at home but I feel I have a responsibility. I have just got to carry on. Shobna feels the same."

Sabby Dhalu, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said the letters proved the racists were "rattled" by her support.

She said: "Having the support of a celebrity, especially from such a popular soap as Coronation Street, makes people sit up and take note. Racist individuals know this and don't like it."

Hesmondhalgh grew up in Accrington, Lancashire, and was dismayed at the electoral success of the BNP following racial disturbances in nearby Burnley and Oldham.

There is no suggestion the threats were linked to the BNP.