Hayley Tamaddon (born 24 January 1977(1977-01-24) Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire), is an English actress of Iranian descent, who is most notable for portraying Delilah Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale and winning ITV's Dancing on Ice (Series 5) on 28 March, 2010.


Background

Tamaddon was born to a Persian father and English mother. She attended Montgomery High School Bispham, Blackpool. She trained in dance at Phil Winston's Theatreworks and Laine Theatre Arts.

Professional life

Stage

Tamaddon has appeared in a number of theatre roles including Frenchie in Grease and Diana Morales in A Chorus Line. She has also appeared in Boogie Nights opposite actor/comedian Kev Orkian, Mamma Mia! and Fame. She played Janet in the 2007 United Kingdom tour of The Rocky Horror Show.She has just finished sharing the role of the Lady of the Lake with Jodie Prenger and Amy Nuttall in the UK Tour of Spamalot.

She has also appeared in pantomime including Aladdin and Snow White. In December 2007 she played the Fairy godmother in Cinderella at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield,and in 2008 performed the title role in Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford.She is currently back at the Lyceum Theatre in the title role of Peter Pan, opposite Nigel Planer's Captain Hook.

Television

Tamaddon was written out of Emmerdale in the summer of 2007 when series producer, Kathleen Beedles decided not to renew her contract but promised not to kill off the character of Del Dingle – leaving the door open for a possible return at some point in the future. She has also appeared in The Royal, Where The Heart Is and Ghosthunting with the Dingles.

She was a runner-up in ITV's Soapstar Superstar which led to her singing with Michael Ball at the Opera House in Blackpool in March 2007 during his tour. For finishing second she raised £25,000 for Brian House Children's Hospice in Bispham.She has also appeared as Lulu on Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes. She has also appeared on Loose Women and This Morning.

In March and April 2007 Tamaddon appeared in Soapstar Superchef on ITV. She and her team-mate Mathew Bose, who co-stars with her as Paul Lambert, in Emmerdale, were crowned winners of the show on 13 April. She has also played the role of a nurse in The Royal Today a daytime soap opera which first aired on 7 January 2008 on ITV.

Tamaddon appeared on week 18 of the BBC children's television show, Hider in the House on 4 May 2008, which was filmed at a family household in Wortley, West Yorkshire. She was busted on challenge seven but said "Personally I think I have been one of the best hiders ever and its been really good fun."

She appeared in Channel 4's Shameless as Calista, a lesbian that had a one night stand with Karen Maguire. She also appeared in Waterloo Road as Zoe.

Tamaddon has recently been crowned champion of ITV's fifth series of Dancing on Ice, where she skated with professional skater and childhood friend Daniel Whiston.Competing over 12 weeks in front of 10 million viewers, including their [Jai Ho]] routine, she reached the final against Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson who came third, and Gary Lucy with whom she went head-to head in the Bolero. Tamaddon won the trophy with over 80% of the public vote and went on tour with Torvill and Dean.

Other Emmerdale actresses from the Fylde Coast include, Jenna-Louise Coleman who plays Jasmine Thomas, Kelsey-Beth Crossley who plays Scarlett Nicholls and Raine Davison - who played Eve Birch.

On Saturday 25th September, Hayley appeared on an episode of All Star Family Fortunes, and won the jackpot of £30,000 for her chosen charity, Brian House Children's Hospice for terminally ill children.

Songs performed on Soapstar Superstar

* Show 1 - "River Deep Mountain High" (Tina Turner)
* Show 2 - "Knock on Wood" (Amii Stewart)
* Show 3 - "There You'll Be" (Faith Hill)
* Show 4 - "It Must Have Been Love" (Roxette)
* Show 5 - "Jump" (Girls Aloud)
* Show 6 - 1. "When I Fall in Love" (Nat King Cole)

- 2. Beverley Knight medley: "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", "Keep This Fire Burning", "Greatest Day"

* Show 7 - 1. "On My Own" (from Les Misérables)

- 2. "Son of a Preacher Man" (Dusty Springfield)

* Show 8: 1. "Disco Inferno" (The Trammps)

- 2. "Chains" (Tina Arena)
- 3. "Together Again" (Janet Jackson)

* Show 9 - 1. "Jump" (Girls Aloud)

- 2. "Feels Like I'm in Love" (Kelly Marie)

Radio

Tamaddon has appeared on 96.3 Radio Aire in Leeds. Her first appearance was on the breakfast show in October 2009, when she presented alongside presenter Paul 'Griffo' Griffiths, who was covering for JK and Joel. She then spent a further week on the show, and in November once again covered with Griffo.

Film

Tamaddon appeared in a short film in June 2008 promoting road safety to young people in Cheshire. The film was made in conjunction with the Cheshire Constabulary and the Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership.

Personal life

Tamaddon was engaged to fiance Darren Charles, a dancer and choreographer from Grimsby, however she called off the wedding after he admitted having cheated on her whilst she was filming Dancing on Ice. In the press, she has ruled out any possibility of a reconciliation.