Who is Amy Nuttall? The Bolton star in Graham Norton’s Forever Home

The series marks the second of Norton’s novels to be adapted for television and sees the Lostock-born actress take the lead role of Carol Crottie.

Originally set in a small Irish town, the story has been relocated to Northumberland for its television adaptation. Amy stars as Carol, a divorcee living with her new partner whose life is thrown into turmoil as long-buried secrets begin to surface.

Undated Handout Photo from Forever Home. Pictured: Amy Nuttall as Carol Crottie and Kevin Whately as Silent Dave. See PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Forever Home WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Forever Home. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Helen Williams/ Channel 5 NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Forever Home (Image: Helen Williams)

Speaking about the drama on BBC Breakfast, Amy said the scripts kept her hooked from the start.

She said: “There’s something for everyone in this. When I got the scripts, I literally would be on my own and I’d get to the end of each episode and let out audible gasps because I couldn’t believe what I’d just read and I wanted to share it with someone.

(Image: Helen Williams/ Channel 5)

“On one page I’d be crying and really moved and the next page I’d be laughing out loud. And at the same time I was just so desperate to know what was going to happen next.”

Amy stars alongside The Revenge Club actor Douglas Henshall as Carol’s partner Robert Barrie, Emmerdale star Lewis Cope as his son Kaden and Heartstopper actress Jenny Walser as his daughter Sally.

The 44-year-old grew up in Lostock and attended Bury Grammar School before going on to become one of Bolton’s most successful television stars.

(Image: PA)

She first found fame as Chloe Atkinson in ITV’s Emmerdale, appearing in the role between 2000 and 2005.

Amy’s late mother, Elaine Nuttall, was well known on Bolton’s amateur dramatics scene and for her work as an artist and seemingly Amy followed in her footsteps.

Amy has performed at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, including in A Streetcar Named Desire, before finding success on television.

STAR: Amy Nuttall at The Octagon Theatre where she will be appearing as Hermione in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale

In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Bolton in 2011.

Over the years, Amy has appeared in a string of popular television dramas, including Downton Abbey, Hotel Babylon, The Musketeers, Death in Paradise, Liar, All Creatures Great & Small, The Chemistry of Death, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Silent Witness and The Feud.

Most recently, she appeared in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, playing the adult Jane Butterfield.

Away from television, Amy has also enjoyed a successful stage and music career. At the age of 17, she became the youngest actress to understudy and perform the lead role of Christine in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

Her theatre credits include My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Boeing-Boeing, Spamalot, Noises Off and The Hired Man at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.

As a singer, she has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall and Old Trafford. She also won an edition of Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes as Sarah Brightman.

In 2005, Amy released the classical album Best Days, which reached number four in the UK classical chart and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2006 Classic BRIT Awards.

Following the death of her mother, she also recorded the song Thank You Mother, written by John Hurley, to help raise awareness of brain tumours through The Brain Tumour Charity.