Jacqueline Boatswain was born in Bedford on June 22nd and as a child demonstrated a musical talent, attending ballet school in London at age seventeen. For some fifteen years she sang and danced in twelve West End shows such as the RSC's 'Kiss Me, Kate', 'Jesus Christ, Superstar' and the revivals of 'Carousel' and 'Chicago' amongst others.In the early 2000s it was suggested to her that she should turn her hand to acting and in 2001 she landed her first role in the BBC production 'Doctors', returning as a semi regular character. She then took on the role of the headmistress in the long running BBC school drama 'Grange Hill', remaining there for three years. Since then she has appeared in other long running series - 'East Enders', "Casualty' and as regulars in 'Hollyoaks'( as fan favourite Simone Loveday ) and 'Shameless' as the pretentious Patreesha St Rose as well as a rather sinister scientist in the children's fantasy 'Wolfblood'. She has also played comedic roles in 'Bad Education' and three series of 'Cuckoo'. She can most recently be seen in ITV's 'Bancroft' and season two of 'Carnival Row' for Amazon when it is released.On stage she has appeared in 'Coriolanus', 'One Monkey Don't Stop No Show', James Baldwin's 'The Amen Corner' with Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Sharon D. Clarke and Sarah Rutherford's 'Adult Supervision', the last three being plays dealing with racial concerns.

2011