Denise Black

Denise Black (born March 16, 1958) is an English actress known for her roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale. She also guest starred as Jessie Devlin Denny Blood's mother in the ITV drama series Bad Girls. Born in Emsworth, Hampshire, Black attended Portsmouth High School for Girls before studying psychology at London University. She initially worked in a psychiatric care home before pursuing acting. Black's first professional role was as a cat in Miniatures at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. She then worked in fringe theatres and joined the Actors' Touring Company, performing Shakespeare across South America, Israel, Greece, and Yugoslavia. Black has also appeared in the Newcastle Playhouse production La Pasionaria with Josie Lawrence and Kate McKenzie.