Julie Hesmondhalgh Reflects on Motherhood as a 'Struggle'

Julie Hesmondhalgh, known for her roles in "Coronation Street" and "Celebrity Traitors," has spoken candidly about the difficulties she faced as a mother. In a recent interview with Good Housekeeping, the 56-year-old actress described her experience with motherhood as a "struggle" and admitted to regretting moments when she "lost her rag" with her two daughters, Martha, 25, and Lyss, 21.

Hesmondhalgh explained that balancing her acting career with motherhood was often tricky. "I found a lot of motherhood a struggle," she stated. "I took things too personally; I felt like they were almost trying to make my life difficult, which obviously they weren’t. They were just children."

The actress, who also starred in "Broadchurch," "Happy Valley," and "The Pact," recently participated in the BBC reality series "Celebrity Traitors." Despite being banished, her appearance on the show garnered a positive reception from viewers.

Reflecting on her time on "Celebrity Traitors," Hesmondhalgh shared her enthusiasm for the show, stating, "I couldn’t say no! I’m obsessed with it." She described the experience of forming friendships with fellow contestants, noting the unique dynamic where "there’s no status at all." She added, "You have these accelerated friendships because there’s a lot of time off-camera when you’re travelling in cars together and aren’t allowed to discuss the game. People tell you about their lives; I found out so much about people and I was really touched that they trusted me."

Fans reacted warmly to Hesmondhalgh's genuine excitement and starstruck interactions with other celebrities on the show, such as James Blunt and Richard E. Grant. Her relatability and evident joy in meeting her idols endeared her to many viewers. However, her time on the show concluded when she was voted out by her fellow contestants, who suspected her of being a Traitor.