Tupele Dorgu (born 13 December 1977 in Preston, Lancashire) is an English actress and voice over artist. She is best known for playing the role of Kelly Crabtree in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2004 to 2010.[1]

Tupele Dorgu
Born (1977-12-13) 13 December 1977 (age 46)
Occupation(s)Actress, voice over artist
Years active2003–present
Notable workKelly Crabtree in Coronation Street & Dr Berrington in Hollyoaks
TelevisionCoronation Street (2004–2010)
Strictly African Dancing (2005)
Soapstar Superstar (2007)
Hollyoaks (2015–2016)
SpouseMark Flanagan (married 2009)

Early life edit

Dorgu was educated in and around the Preston area; she attended St Clare's Primary School, Our Lady's High School and latterly at Kirkham Grammar School. Her mother is of Irish and English descent and her father is from Nigeria.[1]

Career edit

Dorgu has also appeared in Merseybeat, Loose Women, Casualty (2004), Doctors and Strictly African Dancing.

Dorgu has performed in many musicals including La Cage Aux Folles, Three Minute Heroes,[2] and the West End production of Mamma Mia!.[1]

Dorgu left her role as Kelly Crabtree in Coronation Street in March 2010.

In winter 2010, Dorgu starred as the Sorceress in the pantomime Robin Hood at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle from 30 November until 15 January 2011. In mid-2011, she made a brief appearance on the BBC's Waterloo Road as newcomer Keeley James.[3]

Dorgu starred as Velma Kelly in the 2012 UK tour of Chicago.[1]

In June 2013, Dorgu became the narrator of Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour, a show similar to Coach Trip on Channel 4.

Dorgu was announced to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks on 12 December 2015 as new doctor, Dr Berrington, in a recurring capacity. Dorgu's first appearance aired on 30 December.[4]

On 1 January 2016, she appeared in David Walliams' TV adaptation of Billionaire Boy.

Soapstar Superstar edit

In January 2007, Dorgu was a contestant on UK reality programme Soapstar Superstar. The show, hosted by Zoë Ball, placed Dorgu up against ten other soap opera actors. Each night, they had to sing a different song with only 24 hours to learn it. Dorgu survived the bottom two for five nights and then finally went out after making it to the semi-finals.[5]

Filmography edit

Year Title Type Role Notes
2003 Doctors TV Annette Poole 1 Episode, Episode Titled: "Nothing to Fear but..."
2003, 2004 Merseybeat TV Natalie Vance 3 Episodes, "Warrior Moon", "Repeat Offender" and "Day of Reckoning"
2004 Casualty TV Rachel Garrard 1 Episode, Episode Titled "Breaking Point"
2004–2010 Coronation Street TV Kelly Crabtree Series Regular, 511 Episodes
2005 Strictly African Dancing TV Herself Contestant
2006, 2009, 2010 Loose Women TV Herself Guest, 3 Episodes
2007 Soapstar Superstar TV Herself Contestant
2007, 2008 This Morning TV Herself Guest, 6 Episodes
2010 Accused TV Functions Manager Episode Titled: "Willy's Story"
2010, 2012, 2014 The Wright Stuff TV Herself Panelist, 8 Episodes
2010 Come Dine with Me TV Herself Coronation Street Special
2011 Total Wipeout TV Herself Celebrity Special 2
2011 Waterloo Road TV Keely James 1 Episode
2011 The Case TV Nicole Jones 4 Episodes
2013 Brendan's Magical Mystery Tour TV Herself/narrator Day Time TV Series
2014 M.I. High TV Mandy Pluckley 1 Episode, Episode Titled: "The Problem Probe"
2014 Trying Again TV Chloe 1 Episode
2014 Hatch, Match and Dispatch Radio Duchess BBC Radio 4, Episode Two: "Losing My Penny"
2014 All at Sea TV Molly Tipton 1 Episode, Episode Titled: "Valentine"
2015 Cucumber TV Rosemary Pinks 1 Episode
2015−2016 Hollyoaks TV Dr Berrington Recurring role
2016 Billionaire Boy TV Julie Television special
2016 Sugar Free Farm TV Herself Documentary Series
2016 The Coroner TV Lori Fletcher Episode 2.1 "The Drop Zone"
2017 Casualty TV Monica Blears Series 31 Episode 25 "It Starts with the Shoes"
2020 Andy And The Band TV Ivy Series 1 Episode 5 "Hair-Raising Rescue"

Theatre edit

Title Role Theatre
La Cage Aux Folles Dermah English Theatre, Frankfurt
Three Minute Heroes Sonia Belgrade Theatre
Mamma Mia Ali Prince Edward Theatre
Hillbrow Johanna Courtyard Theatre
Robin Hood Sorceress Theatre Royal
Chicago Velma Kelly UK Tour Production, Number One Tour
Educating Rita Rita The Garrick, Lichfield
Teechers Hobby Theatre Royal Wakefield and Tour
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Pantomime) Wicked Queen Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
Noises Off Belinda Bleir Royal Court Liverpool
Legally Blonde Paulette Leicester Curve

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Hutchinson, Charles (13 April 2012). "Chicago, Grand Opera House, York, April 16 to 21". The Press. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Three-minute heroes take the limelight once again", Coventry Evening Telegraph 15 September 2000
  3. ^ "TV Preview: Waterloo Road - BBC1, 7.30pm". The Mirror. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  4. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (12 December 2015). "Exclusive: Hollyoaks casts ex-Coronation Street star Tupele Dorgu as new doctor". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  5. ^ Crook, Amanda (8 February 2007). "Soap star gives winnings to charity". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 August 2012.

External links edit