Claire Sweeney Biography: Claire Jane Sweeney (born 17 April 1971) is an English actress, singer, and television personality. She rose to fame playing Lindsey Corkhill on Channel 4’s Brookside (1991–2003) and has since had a successful stage career, notably starring as Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago (2001–2002).
Claire Sweeney Biography
Claire Sweeney grew up in a small family in Liverpool, raised by her parents—Kathleen and Ken, a butcher—and alongside her brother, Shaun. Although she found academic subjects, especially maths, challenging at school, she excelled in singing and acting. Her first job had nothing to do with show business; she worked as a butcher’s assistant in her father’s shop.
Claire Sweeney Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Claire Jane Sweeney
17 April 1971 Walton, Liverpool, England
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|---|---|
| Alma mater | Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Partner(s) | Tony Hibbard (2001–2007) Daniel Reilly (2013–2015) |
| Children | 1 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Claire Sweeney
Claire Jane Sweeney is an English actress, singer, and television personality. Known for her portrayal of Lindsey Corkhill on Channel 4’s Brookside, she also played Roxie Hart in Chicago and starred in touring productions of Guys and Dolls, Tell Me on a Sunday, Legally Blonde, and Educating Rita.
Claire Sweeney Personal Life
Claire began her performance training at the Elliott-Clarke Drama School in Liverpool and later secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy in London at the age of 18. Determined to pursue a singing career after leaving school, she performed in a number of summer seasons and pantomimes. In 1991, she landed a brief two-episode role as Lindsey in Brookside. Shortly after, Claire chose to explore the world and spent four years working as a singer on cruise ships.
Claire Sweeney Achievements
She has also toured in productions of Guys and Dolls (2006), Tell Me on a Sunday (2011), Legally Blonde (2011), and Educating Rita (2012). On television, she was a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women from 2003 to 2005 and hosted 60 Minute Makeover between 2004 and 2006. Her debut album, Claire, reached number 15 on the UK Albums Chart in 2002. Since 2023, Sweeney has played Cassie Plummer on the ITV soap Coronation Street.
Claire Sweeney Wiki
- Born: 17 April 1971 (age 54 years), Walton, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Children: Jaxon Reilly
- Partner(s): Tony Hibbard (2001–2007); Daniel Reilly (2013–2015)
- Parents: Kathleen Sweeney, Ken Sweeney
- Siblings: Shaun Sweeney
- Height: 1.73 m
Early Life
Born in Walton, Liverpool, Sweeney is the daughter of a butcher who owned a shop in Toxteth. She trained at the Elliott-Clarke Theatre School in Liverpool and worked weekends in her father’s shop. Her first paid singing job came at age 14, performing at the Montrose Club in Liverpool for £25. She later studied full-time at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London. In 1987, she appeared in a production of the musical Hair with the Southport Summer Youth Theatre Workshop.
Career
Claire Sweeney’s breakthrough came with her role as Lindsey Corkhill in the soap opera Brookside. She first appeared as a recurring character in 1991, before becoming a main cast member from 1995 until the show concluded in 2003. she gained wider public recognition by appearing on the first series of Celebrity Big Brother and Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank. That year, she also hosted ITV’s Challenge of a Lifetime and was cast as Roxie Hart in the London revival of the musical Chicago. In addition, she became a brand ambassador for several companies, including Marks & Spencer, Fashion World, and SlimFast.
Sweeney travelled to Afghanistan to entertain British troops, earning the title of “forces sweetheart.” She also released her debut album Claire, a collection of original songs and covers, which reached number 15 on the UK Albums Chart in July 2002. That same year, she co-hosted A Song for Europe on BBC One alongside Christopher Price. she joined the world tour of the musical revue Fosse and contributed to Carl Davis’s album Give Me a Smile, recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra. From 2003 to 2005, Sweeney was a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, and she has continued to make guest appearances over the years.
Personal Life
Claire Sweeney was in a relationship with businessman Billy Oakes for six years, ending in 2007. She has a son named Jaxon, whom she shares with her former partner Daniel Reilly.
Claire Sweeney net worth 2025
Claire Sweeney’s exact net worth in 2025 is not clearly stated, but estimates offer some insight into her financial status. According to AllFamousBirthdays, her net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. However, she has faced financial challenges in recent years, including the need to sell a holiday home in Spain and reportedly earning less than £5,000 in 2021 during the pandemic. Despite these setbacks, she has been known to own a £2.3 million mansion in London. While a definitive figure for her current net worth is unavailable, these details help paint a broader picture of her financial circumstances.
FAQs
What is Claire Sweeney best known for?
Claire Sweeney is best known for her role as Lindsey Corkhill in the British soap opera Brookside, where she was a central character from 1995 until the show’s end in 2003. She is also widely recognised for her stage performances, particularly as Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago.
Did Claire Sweeney appear on Celebrity Big Brother?
Yes, Claire Sweeney was a housemate on the first-ever series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2001, which significantly boosted her public profile and opened up further opportunities in television and theatre.
Has Claire Sweeney released any music?
Claire Sweeney released her debut album, Claire, in 2002. The album featured a mix of original songs and cover versions and peaked at number 15 on the UK Albums Chart.
What stage roles has Claire Sweeney played?
Claire Sweeney has starred in several major stage productions, including Guys and Dolls, Fosse, Tell Me on a Sunday, Legally Blonde, Educating Rita, and Chicago, where she played the role of Roxie Hart in the West End.
Did Claire Sweeney present any TV shows?
Yes, Claire Sweeney has hosted a number of television programmes, including ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover from 2004 to 2006 and BBC One’s Here Comes the Sun. She also presented Challenge of a Lifetime and appeared as a regular panellist on Loose Women.
What is Claire Sweeney’s net worth?
While her exact net worth in 2025 isn’t publicly confirmed, estimates suggest it is around $5 million. Despite financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic—including selling a Spanish holiday home and earning under £5,000 in 2021—Sweeney has owned property in London valued at over £2 million.