Barbara Canham Turner Lecture | Sally Lindsay MBE, 'Opportunities taken by a working-class actor'

Join us for an evening with Sally Lindsay MBE

Wednesday 14 October | 7-9pm at Middleton Hall, University of Hull

The University of Hull is delighted to host the 2026 Barbara Canham Turner Lecture, featuring acclaimed actor, writer and producer Sally Lindsay MBE.

Seats are limited and this event is expected to sell out, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place.

About the Lecture

In Opportunities Taken by a Working-Class Actor, Sally reflects on the opportunities she has embraced throughout her career and the experiences that have shaped her journey.

A proud University of Hull graduate and Manchester native, Sally read English at the University, it was here, as a student, that she also got the 'acting bug'. From those early beginnings, she has gone on to become one of Britain's best-loved actors, writers and producers. In June 2025, she was awarded an MBE for services to drama.

Through personal stories and reflections, Sally will share the challenges, opportunities and defining moments that have led to an outstanding career spanning television, theatre and film.

About Sally

Sally's career began with her breakthrough role in the ground breaking sitcom The Royle Family, followed by memorable performances in Phoenix Nights and Fat Friends. She became a household name as Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, before moving into theatre with acclaimed productions including A Taste of Honey and Everybody Loves a Winner.

She has since starred in numerous television dramas, including No1 Fan, Cold Call, Intruder, the BAFTA-winning Murdered for Being Different, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Dial M for Middlesbrough, Still Open All Hours, Ordinary Lies and Moving On.

As a writer and creator, Sally co-created the hit crime drama Scott & Bailey with Suranne Jones and is the creator, co-writer and star of the hugely successful The Madame Blanc Mysteries, now enjoyed by audiences around the world.

Alongside acting, Sally has built a successful presenting career, fronting documentaries including Emmeline Pankhurst: The Making of a Manchester Militant, hosting Tenable for ITV and co-hosting Pointless for the BBC. She has also presented the popular Channel 5 series Posh Hotels with Sally and Nigel and Sally Lindsay's Posh Sleepover.

Away from the screen, Sally is an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society in memory of her Grandmother, Ellen, and serves as President of the Women of the Year Awards.

Ticket price £2 plus booking free (all ticket sales donated to Alzheimer’s Society)

Limited number of free tickets available to students.

We look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be an insightful, entertaining and memorable evening.