Tina Hobley (born 20 May 1972 in Mill Hill, London) is an English actress.

Early life

Hobley was born and raised in London. Very shy as a child, Hobley was sent to speech and drama classes in an attempt to counter her introversion. At the time, she tried various other activities, as well, including Brownies and horse riding, but found that acting was her passion. Hobley enrolled with a very strict speech and drama teacher, whom she adored and stayed with for fifteen years, before moving from there to drama school.

Career

Hobley is best known for her current role as feisty Ward Sister, Chrissie Williams in BBC medical drama Holby City. After graduating from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where she trained from 1990 to 1993, Hobley acquired a number of minor roles in a variety of notable television dramas, including Coronation Street, as Samantha Failsworth and The Bill.

After taking part in an 888.com sponsored poker tournament called "The Queen of Diamonds", joined by Bad Girls star Stephanie Beacham and Cutting It’s Angela Griffin, Hobley was suspended for a month without pay because stars on an exclusive BBC deal are banned from taking part in anything commercial. Despite playing for just three hours and giving her entire fee to charity, the BBC would not step down. Her suspension took effect in November 2006 when scriptwriters on the BBC medical hit worked her out of the show. The character remained on-screen until 30 January 2007, Series 9, Episode 17, Into the Dark. She did not return until Series 9, Episode 29, Deep Dark Truthful Mirror. Tina left Holby in January to give birth to her second that was due in April. She will return 6 weeks after giving birth.

Hobley made a public donation to The Laura Sadler Memorial Fund, which helps young aspiring actors. The fund is named in memory of Laura Sadler, who played Holby City nurse Sandy Harper, and who died in 2003 after falling from the balcony of her boyfriend’s flat.

Personal life

Hobley married Graphic designer, Steve Wallington, in a ceremony in Ennis Cathedral, Ireland in 1998. Daughter Isabella was born in April 2000, but the couple are now divorced. On 22 April 2006, boyfriend of the past year Freud Communications Director Oliver (Oli) Wheeler, proposed to Tina at their Cotswolds cottage. Tina and Oli were married in December 2006 in the Cotswolds. On October 23rd 2007 the couple announced that Tina was pregnant with their first child.[9] Tina gave birth to her 2nd daughter Olivia Kitty Alice Wheeler on Friday 18th April 2008 by caesarean.