From Soap Opera Stardom to Life on the High Seas
For decades, Julie Peasgood's face and distinctive voice have been fixtures on British television screens. With roles in Brookside, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Casualty, and Holby City, the 69-year-old actress became a familiar presence in living rooms across the nation. Yet her career path has taken an unexpected turn that few could have predicted.
The Coronation Street Regret
In a revealing interview, Peasgood disclosed one significant career decision she now views differently. "I turned down Corrie, foolishly," she admitted. "I was offered it when I was 19, a long-running part. I was very torn, but I'd just started and my agent said 'You'd be tying yourself down for a long time and we've got lots of other opportunities.' So I said no."
Looking back, the actress acknowledges her mistake. "Do I regret it? Yeah, because Corrie's great and I think it would have been a good thing to do." This early career crossroads set her on a different path that would ultimately lead to her most defining role.
Brookside: The Life-Changing Experience
Peasgood's breakthrough came with her two-year stint as Fran Pearson in Brookside, a role that transformed both her professional and personal life. "Brookside was a real family," she recalled with evident affection. "The make-up studio was basically a green room. Everyone just got on so well!"
The role brought immediate public recognition of a different magnitude than she had experienced before. "When you're in a soap it's very different," she explained. "Viewers come up and talk to you all the time." She shared one memorable encounter: "I remember being on the Tube and somebody coming and grabbing me and saying in one episode I'd said I didn't like Chinese food and in an episode two weeks later I was eating it and why was that?"
Beyond the fame, Brookside opened professional doors that had previously been closed. "It also opened all kinds of doors professionally, too," Peasgood noted. "I landed my first presenting job because of Brookie and I'd been wanting to present on TV for years."
The Fast-Paced World of Soap Production
The actress described the demanding pace of soap opera production that initially surprised her. "Brookside was my first experience of being in a soap and initially I couldn't believe how quickly the scenes were turned around. You had a really short rehearsal and then you went straight for a take."
She contrasted this with her previous experience in dramas and serials where "rehearsal time was far more generous." However, she adapted to the challenge. "Being in Brookie, you really had to have your wits about you, you really had to think fast. I loved that."
Peasgood's character Fran Pearson stood out from her other soap roles. "She did differ from the other characters I played in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks because she was tougher and she did have a harder edge. She needed to, to deal with Barry Grant, especially having his baby!"
The Unexpected Career Pivot
While Peasgood maintains her acting career, including a recent pilot for comedy series "Dancing In Puddles," her professional life has taken a dramatic turn toward the maritime world. The inspiration came from an unexpected source: Brookside itself.
"I was invited many years ago when I'd just turned 40, to do a soap cruise on the QE2 to talk about Brookside and my experience of it," she explained. "I fell completely in love with life on the high seas."
This experience sparked a new passion that has grown into a full-fledged business venture. "So much so that I've done over 100 cruises now as an onboard speaker, a travel presenter and a cruise reviewer. I've worn lots of different hats on board, and now also run my own company, which is SupercraftCruises.com."
Building a Floating Classroom
Peasgood's company represents a unique fusion of travel and education. "That involves me taking hand-picked groups of these expert craft instructors around the world teaching stained glass, mosaics, needle felting, lino printing, leatherwork, you name it, we teach it!"
The venture has proven successful by creating what she describes as "a win-win" situation. "We get great experiences in travel and we make the passengers happy too with first class service."
Balancing Two Passions
Despite her thriving cruise business, Peasgood hasn't abandoned her first love. "I still act, I still want to act when I'm on dry land," she affirmed. She expressed particular interest in joining another soap opera, specifically mentioning EastEnders "because it's close to home."
Reflecting on her pilot for "Dancing In Puddles," she shared her renewed passion for acting. "You know when you feel you're home again? You think, 'I want to do more of this. This is where I started, and this is where I belong.'"
Looking Toward the Future
As she approaches her seventies, Peasgood shows no signs of slowing down. When asked about her ideal next decade, she outlined a balanced vision. "The next 10 years would still involve cruising because I'm very proud of having formed my company in 2018 and surviving the pandemic."
However, she anticipates some adjustments. "Moving forwards, instead of being away at sea on 10 cruises a year I might spend more time at home. I do love travel but it would free up time to follow my heart, which is to continue acting and presenting."
Her specific aspirations include presenting travel shows and continuing with "Dancing In Puddles," describing her character Vivien as "one of the best I've ever had."
From turning down Coronation Street to finding unexpected inspiration in Brookside that led to a second career at sea, Julie Peasgood's journey demonstrates how unconventional paths can lead to fulfilling destinations. Her story serves as a testament to embracing unexpected opportunities while staying true to one's original passions.
