Claire Cooper
A British actress who turned a long-running soap role into a nuanced portrait of resilience, becoming a daytime television fixture.
Born 1980 (age 46)·British actress (b. 1980)·Birthday: October 26·Generation X
Biography
Claire Cooper carved out a distinctive space in British soap opera with her portrayal of Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks. A former gymnast from Wakefield, she brought a physical confidence and emotional depth to the role, transforming Jacqui from a fiery, troubled young woman into a matriarchal figure whose storylines tackled domestic abuse, infertility, and complex family dynamics. For seven consecutive years, Cooper was a central pillar of the show, her performance earning a loyal fanbase and award nominations. Her decision to leave in 2013 was a significant moment for the series, though a brief return a decade later demonstrated the enduring connection she had forged with the character. Beyond Hollyoaks, she has pursued theatre work, showcasing a versatility that her soap tenure only hinted at.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Claire was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Claire Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Claire's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks for over 500 episodes from 2006 to 2013, with a return in 2023.
- Nominated for Best Actress at the 2011 British Soap Awards for her role in Hollyoaks.
- Won the 'Best Dramatic Performance' category at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards.
Did You Know?
She was a competitive gymnast in her youth, reaching national level in the sport.
Cooper is married to actor and former Hollyoaks co-star Jonny Clarke.
She performed her own stunts for many of Jacqui McQueen's physical storylines.
“I wanted to show a woman who is fiercely loyal but deeply flawed.”
