Claire Elizabeth Cooper (born 26 October 1980) is a British actress and former gymnast from Wakefield, England, best known for portraying Jacqui McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a character she played full time from 2006 to 2013 and returned to for one episode in 2023.
In 2010, Cooper opened a clothing rental boutique called The Closet in Liverpool with Hollyoaks co-stars Jennifer Metcalfe and Leah Hackett.
Since 2024, Cooper has played the lead role of Mary Hardacre in the Channel 5 period drama The Hardacres.
Early life Cooper was a British champion gymnast for 10 years.
Cooper attended the Guildford School of Acting.
Career Cooper has appeared in various British television shows, including a two-part episode on Waking the Dead in 2004. She has also made appearances on Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.
Cooper made her on-screen debut as Jacqui McQueen in Hollyoaks in September 2006. She played the character for several years, including in spin-offs Hollyoaks Later in 2009 and Hollyoaks: King of Hearts in 2010. She departed from the cast in 2013, but made a cameo appearance in an episode in 2023.
In 2016, Cooper played the part of Claire in the second series of In the Club. Cooper co-owns clothing rental boutique The Closet in Liverpool with Hollyoaks co-stars Jennifer Metcalfe and Leah Hackett.
Personal life Cooper married Hollyoaks co-star Emmett J. Scanlan in 2015. On 8 May 2020, she announced she was pregnant with their first child. On 18 July, she gave birth to a boy named Ocean. On 12 November 2022, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Fiáin.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1999Red Dwarf50s woman/(uncredited)Series 8: Episode 52004Waking The DeadAudrey ClaytonSeries 4: Episodes 1 and 22006 Waterloo Road Zoe Ramsden Series 1: Episode 3Coronation StreetAnya SpaderSeries 47: Episode 1612007–2013, 2023HollyoaksJacqui McQueenSeries regular, 529 episodes 2007Most HauntedHerselfEpisode - Most Haunted Live at Halloween: Tatton Park2008All Star Family FortunesHerselfEpisode – Hollyoaks vs EmmerdaleThis MorningHerselfSeries 20: Episode 4900Big Brother's Big MouthHerselfSeries 10: Episode 2The Hollyoaks Music ShowJacqui McQueenSeries 13: Episode 60Big Brother: Celebrity HijackCelebrity HiJacker/HerselfSeries 1: Episodes 22 and 232009Hollyoaks LaterJacqui McQueenSeries 2: Episodes 1–5Strictly Come DancingHerselfRound 6Ready, Steady, CookHerselfSeries 20: Episode 92010Derren Brown InvestigatesHerselfEpisode - The Man Who Contacts The DeadHollyoaks: King of HeartsJacqui McQueenLate night special one-off episode2011Hollyoaks Best Bits 2011HerselfTelevision film2014From There to HereMatildaTwo episodes2014Scott & BaileyJenny RedheadSeries 4: Episode 52015A.D. The Bible ContinuesHerodiasSix episodes2016In the ClubClaire Series 2Six Wives with Lucy WorsleyAnne BoleynTwo episodes201712 MonkeysEliza1 episodeStill Star-CrossedTessa Montague3 episodesLove, Lies & RecordsSarah1 episode2017-2018SnatchMiss Teri Dwyer8 episodes2019KnightfallSister AnneSeries 2London KillsGloria Tanner1 episode2020Strike BackAmy McAllisterSeries 8: Episode 62022The PeripheralDominika ZubovCo-StarringThe Witcher: Blood OriginElfyn Woman1 episode2023The Continental: From the World of John WickRosalind Davenport1 episode2024-presentThe HardacresMary HardacreMain lead; 12 episodes 2025Sanctuary: A Witch's TaleAngela Otis6 episodes
Awards and nominations Cooper won Best Actress at British Soap Awards in 2013 and Best Family at Inside Soap Awards in 2009. She has also received several nominations:
Year Award Category Role / Character Result2007 Inside Soap Awards Best ActressHollyoaks / Jacqui McQueen 2008 TV Now Awards Favourite Soap Couple 2009 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress 2010 Best Actress 2011 National Television Awards Best Serial Drama Performance All About Soap Awards Best Actress British Soap Awards Best Actress Best Dramatical Performance TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actress Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Best Dramatical Performance Best Wedding RTS North West Awards Best Performance in a Continuing Drama 2012 National Television Awards Outstanding Serial Drama Performance All About Soap Awards Best Actress Digital Spy Awards Best Female Soap Actor 2013British Soap Awards Best Actress Best Dramatic Performance TV Choice Awards Best Actress
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