A Perthshire care home resident made an award-winning former Coronation Street actor’s day by sending her a special message on primetime TV this week.
Gordon Dilworth of Balhousie Pitlochry thanked Julie Hesmondhalgh for a performance she gave residents last year to lift their spirits during a segment on Monday night’s The One Show on BBC One.
The show’s producers approached the home to take part in the broadcast as a surprise for Julie, who was being interviewed about her theatre and TV work.
As well as Gordon’s message, a group of residents and staff were featured cheering to the delight of Julie and the show’s presenters.
Last summer, Julie performed a virtual monologue to Balhousie Pitlochry’s residents via Skype as part of a series of short plays commissioned by a theatre company called Paines Plough.
The plays, called ‘Come To Where I Am’, were written by writers from all around the UK about places they called home during lockdown.
Julie recited one of the Pitlochry group of plays, which was commissioned by Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Julie is best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street and is currently starring in BBC One’s thriller The Pact. She was delighted to hear from the residents of Balhousie Pitlochry during her appearance on The One Show.
She said: “What a lovely message. That’s such a surprise, thank you so much.”
Balhousie Pitlochry manager Claire Mackay echoed Gordon’s message that the many virtual plays and music performances were appreciated during lockdown.
She said: “Our residents thoroughly enjoyed Julie’s virtual performance last year and they were only too happy to send her a special message back.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Julie and all the performers who have found ways to entertain our residents over the past year, whether that’s been in the car park or online.”
