Holly Quin-Ankrah
English actress and singer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Holly Quin-Ankrah (born 27 August 1987),[1] known professionally as Rahh (stylised in all caps),[2] is an actress and singer from Warrington, England. She began her acting career as a teenager, playing Karen Young in the long-running CBBC drama series Grange Hill. She is also known for her lead role on the talent show drama Rock Rivals and a regular role as Cheryl Gray on Coronation Street between 2010 and 2011.
Holly Quin-Ankrah | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 August 1987 Warrington, Cheshire, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
Early life
Quin-Ankrah was born and raised in Warrington, Cheshire.[3] She attended Bridgewater High School and then Mid Cheshire College, where she completed a two-year National Diploma in Fashion.[4]
Life and career
Quin-Ankrah's first role was as Karen Young on the CBBC drama Grange Hill as a teenager, despite having no acting training.[5] Whilst a cast member on Grange Hill she engaged in philanthropic ventures. In December 2004 she visited St. Francis Xavier's College, Woolton, Liverpool to promote MEND, a national mobile phone database for stolen or lost equipment.[6] In April 2006 she visited Alder Hey children's hospital to donate Easter Eggs to sick children.[7]
Following Grange Hill, Quin-Ankrah played a lead role in the 2008 ITV talent show drama Rock Rivals as "contestant" Bethany Hopkins. In 2009 she appeared in an episode of the sixth series of Shameless as Geena.[8] In February 2010 it was reported that Quin-Ankrah had been cast in the soap-opera Coronation Street as Cheryl Gray, a love interest for established character Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles).[9] Quin-Ankrah was 22 at the time of joining the soap but did not reveal her age at the casting as Cheryl was intended to be significantly older, with a ten-year-old son. Of her audition, Quin Ankrah recalls: "My agent told me not to say how old I was. I wore tweed flares and a highnecked top so I looked older!"[3] In July 2010, Quin-Ankrah received a nomination in the "Best Newcomer" category at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards for her portrayal of Cheryl.[10] She departed the serial in November 2011.[11]
Quin-Ankrah's theatre credits include playing the role of Katie in a 2009 stage musical adaptation of the Willy Russell drama Our Day Out at the Royal Court, Liverpool.[12]
Quin-Ankrah has since become a backing singer for Liam Gallagher under the stage name ‘Rahh’.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2007 | Grange Hill | Karen Young | Series regular |
| 2008 | Rock Rivals | Bethany Hopkins | Series regular |
| 2009 | Shameless | Geena | One episode: episode #6.4 |
| 2010–2011 | Coronation Street | Cheryl Gray | Series regular |
| 2013 | The Dumping Ground | Shannay Kelly | Recurring Role; Series 1, 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Death in Paradise | Alison Turner | Episode 4.6 |