JESS Heywood has both been a mentor and a friend to fellow police officer Craig Tinker.
But viewers have seen Coronation Street actress Donnaleigh Bailey in other roles before she became a series regular.
Craig Tinker has been counting on his former mentor, Jess Heywood, for support
Actress Donnaleigh Bailey made her first appearance as the policewoman in 2017
But she took on two other roles in Coronation Street before becoming a series regular
Colson Smith‘s character has been going through severe hurdles with his on-screen girlfriend Faye Windass (played by Ellie Leach).
Faye most recently tried to seduce another Weatherfield resident.
However, throughout his time in the police force, Craig has found support in the form of Jess Heywood.
The policewoman was first introduced in 2017 as Craig’s mentor.
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But before she joined the boys in blue in the iconic ITV show, 39-year-old Donnaleigh Bailey stepped onto the cobbles as another character.
In 2015, Donnaleigh slipped into the uniform of an unnamed nurse at the Rosamund Street Medical Centre as she tended to Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) after he had badly cut his arm.
Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) brought the youngster to hospital when an argument escalated and her attempt to physically restrain him from leaving their home had gone wrong.
One year later, Donnaleigh was seen again but her second appearance in Coronation Street lasted longer.
She took on the role of PC Woodruff from April to December, 2016, when the authorities were tipped off by Sharif Nazir (Marc Anwar) that an acquaintance of Gary Windass called Dane Everton was dealing steroids through the gym, V Court Fitness.
PC Woodruff was in the company of her colleague PC Tyms when she spotted a deal between Gary and Dane and both officers conducted a physical search before arresting the former for possession of cannabis.
After this appearance, the actress was called back as Jess Heywood.
Donnaleigh has been seen as the character in 25 episodes of the program.
But Coronation Street wasn’t the first UK soap to give her a chance.
From 2002 to 2010, Donnaleigh appeared in numerous episodes of rival soaps Doctors, Crossroads and Holby City, which was recently given the chop.
In 2019, she even took on the small role of Tina Frazier in one episode of Casualty.
Will she remain in Coronation Street or head away from the cobbles?
Tune in to ITV to find out.
Donnaleigh Bailey is a regular in soapland
She has appeared in multiple rival shows
