Sue Devaney

Sue Devaney (born Susan Barber on 2 July 1967) in Ashton-under-Lyne, Cheshire is an English actress. She has played various roles on British television including; Debbie Webster in Coronation Street, Rita Briggs in Jonny Briggs, Liz Harker in Casualty and Jane in dinnerladies. In the early 1990s she appeared in a commercial for the Gateway Supermarket chain (now Somerfield). In 2009 she played the role of Peggy in hit C4 drama Shameless.

Sue left school with O levels in Drama and English and joined The Oldham Theatre Workshop. She gained her equity card by singing in pubs and clubs around Manchester and then at the age of 16 she formed a band called The Dam Buskers that toured the north in street theatre.

Sue changed her name to Devaney and made her television debut as an usherette in Mating Call followed by a small appearance on the children's show Rainbow. She then played Mildred Bailey, an orphan girl in the comedy series In Loving Memory alongside Christopher Beeney, Sherrie Hewson and Thoria Hird. Sue made her Coronation Street debut on 6 February 1984 as Kevin Webster's little sister Debbie, a role she played for two years.

She then played Rita Briggs in the BBC children's series Johnny Briggs, Amanda in the comedy Exclusive Yarns and Janice in The Index Has Gone Fishing. Sue's stage work has been extensive and includes productions such as A Taste of Honey, It's A Madhouse, Me Mam Sez, Alice In Wonderland, Beggars Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Breezeblock Park, Love's Labours Lost, Postcards From Rome and The Doctor Of Honour. Her West End roles include Karen in The Land Of The Living at the Royal Court, Gaoler's Daughter in Wind In The Willows at the National Theatre and Ruby in When We Are Married at the Whitehall Theatre.

Sue's television career continued with the role of Sandra in Flying Lady, Ruby in When We Are Married, Mad Bastard in The Real Eddy English, Betsey in Mrs Worthington's Daughter, About Face, Betty Bouncer in Haggard and Zoe in Gordon The Gopher. She then played Jo Collins in the children's series Spatz and presented But First This and Paramount City. Other TV appearances include Exclusive Yarns.

In 1992 she played Jennifer in Heartbeat and the following year played Ruth Harcourt in The Bill and Trendy Wendy in Model Millie. She also played Abba, Madonna and Linda McCartney in the children's series Fan TC., and appeared in the first series of Common as Muck. In 1995 she began a three year run in Casualty as paramedic Liz Harker. She went on to a regular part in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies (BBC, 1998-1999) as Jane.

When not acting, Sue loves travelling the world and has performed in many countries. She has also formed a band called The Dunky Dobbers with former Coronation Street and Emmerdale actress Michelle Holmes and they recorded a record with the band The Art of Noise. Sue lives in Rochdale and London.

She is an experienced professional and enjoys all kinds of voice over work from serious documentary to quirky adverts. She lives in the Pennine hills and enjoys photography, bike riding and Hollands’ pies!

Sue’s voice is natural, warm and friendly, full of character, vibrant & upbeat, compassionate honest and fresh. Sue has a gift for perfect comedy timing!