# Verity Rushworth

Verity Charlotte Rushworth (born 15 August 1985) is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Donna Windsor in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1998 to 2009, with a guest appearance in 2014. She has played many theatre roles throughout the UK, including two leading roles in West End theatre productions. From 2020 to 2021, she appeared in the BBC medical soap opera Doctors as Lily Walker.

## Life and career

Rushworth attended St. Mary's Catholic High School, Menston. In 1997, Rushworth had small roles in ITV television programmes such as Heartbeat, and in 1998, at the age of 12, she took on her most notable role, Donna Windsor in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She took the role over from Sophie Jeffery, who played the part from 1993 to 1997. After appearing on Emmerdale for over 10 years, Rushworth filmed her final scenes at the end of 2008 which were later aired in January 2009.
From 2 February 2009, she made her West End debut in the role of Penny Pingleton in a production of Hairspray, taking over the role from Elinor Collett. Rushworth then played the leading role of Maria von Trapp in the 2011 UK tour of The Sound of Music, before taking on the role of Velma in Chicago at Curve Theatre, Leicester from November 2013 to January 2014. On 6 January 2014, it was announced that Rushworth would be returning to Emmerdale to reprise the role of Donna, after a five-year-absence. Rushworth began filming in February, and returned on screen on 19 March 2014. It was announced that she would be back as Donna for 5 months and departed on 15 August 2014. She shared the role of Holly Golightly with Pixie Lott during the 2016 tour of Breakfast at Tiffany's. She then appeared in the West End production of Kinky Boots until from 2017 to 2018. In June 2020, she began appearing in the BBC soap opera Doctors as receptionist Lily Walker, making her final appearance in February 2021.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Heartbeat | Lucy Keen | Episode: "Friendly Fire" |
| 1998–2009, 2014, 2024 | Emmerdale | Donna Windsor | Series regular; 1311 episodes |
| 2007 | Soapstar Superstar | Herself | Contestant |
| 2007 | Soapstar Superchef | Herself | Contestant |
| 2020–2021 | Doctors | Lily Walker | Recurring role |

## Stage

* Hairspray - Penny Pingleton (2009–2010, London West End)
* Departure Lounge - Sophie (2010)
* The Sound Of Music - Maria (2011 UK Tour)
* Annie - Grace Farrel (2011, West Yorkshire Playhouse)
* Seven Year Itch - (2012, Salisbury Playhouse)
* Merrily We Roll Along (2012, Theatr Clwyd)
* Chicago - Velma (2013–2014, Curve Theatre Leicester)
* And Then There Were None - Vera Claythorne (2015 UK Tour)
* Kinky Boots - Lauren (2017–2018, London West End)

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2005 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Couple (shared with Mark Charnock) | Nominated |
| 2008 | Digital Spy Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership (shared with Charnock) | Nominated |
| 2008 | The British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2014 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | Shortlisted |
| 2015 | 20th National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Shortlisted |
| 2015 | The British Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2015 | The British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership (shared with Michael Parr) | Nominated |