{{Short description|British actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Alison Burrows | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1994–present | television = ''Hollyoaks''<br>''Queer as Folk'' }} '''Alison Burrows''' is a British actress. She played Sandra Docherty in the two seasons of ''Queer as Folk'' (1999–2000) and also portrayed Kathleen McQueen in a recurring capacity on the British soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' (2009–11, 2014) and its two spin-offs ''Hollyoaks Later'' (2009) and ''Hollyoaks: King of Hearts'' (2010). She has had other roles in soap operas ''Coronation Street'', ''Emmerdale'' and ''Doctors''. In addition, she has also appeared in various other television series, including ''Lovejoy'' (1994), ''A Prince Among Men'' (1998), ''That Peter Kay Thing'' (2000), ''Phoenix Nights'' (2001), ''Outlaws'' (2004), ''Shameless'' (2005), ''Boy Meets Girl'' (2009), ''In the Dark'' (2017), ''Girlfriends'' (2018) and ''Moving On'' (2021), in addition to films such as ''My Son the Fanatic'' (1997), the television adaptation of ''The Illustrated Mum'' (2003), the short film ''Groove on a Stanley Knife'' (1997) and the pilot ''Slaterwood'' (2008) as part of part of Comedy Lab.
==Career== Alison Burrows had a role in 1997 British movie ''My Son the Fanatic''.<ref name="Son">{{cite web |title=My Son the Fanatic - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/my-son-the-fanatic/cast/2000118265/ |website=TV Guide |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=30 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830022947/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/my-son-the-fanatic/cast/2000118265/ |archive-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> That same year, she was one of the two starring actresses in the 1997 short ''Groove on a Stanley Knife''.<ref name="Groove">{{cite web |title=Groove on a Stanley Knife |url=https://www.timeout.com/movies/groove-on-a-stanley-knife |website=Time Out |publisher=Time Out Group |access-date=30 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830024112/https://www.timeout.com/movies/groove-on-a-stanley-knife |archive-date=30 August 2025 |date=10 September 2012}}</ref> Between 1999 and 2000, Burrows played Sandra Docherty in the British television series ''Queer as Folk''.<ref name="Queer">{{cite web |title=Queer as Folk - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/queer-as-folk/cast/1000161368/ |website=TV Guide |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=30 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830022216/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/queer-as-folk/cast/1000161368/ |archive-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> Burrows appeared in the 2003 television adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's ''The Illustrated Mum''.<ref name="Illustrated Mum">{{cite web |title=The Illustrated Mum (2003) |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8a336cc1 |website=British Film Institute |access-date=17 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914014306/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8a336cc1 |archive-date=14 September 2017}}</ref> In 2005, she guest-starred in the second episode of the television comedy show ''Shameless''.<ref name="Shameless">{{cite web |title=Series 1, Episode 2 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/shameless/episodes/1/2/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207073428/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/shameless/episodes/1/2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, she portrayed various characters in the Channel 4 television sketch show pilot ''Slaterwood'', part of Comedy Lab.<ref name="Slaterwood">{{cite web |title=Slaterwood |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/slaterwood/cast_crew/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828214048/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/slaterwood/cast_crew/ |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref> Burrows has also had guest appearances on several other television series, including ''Lovejoy'' (1994), ''A Prince Among Men'' (1998), ''That Peter Kay Thing'' (2000), ''Phoenix Nights'' (2001), ''Outlaws'' (2004), ''Boy Meets Girl'' (2009) and ''Girlfriends''.<ref name="Boy">{{cite web |title=Boy Meets Girl (2009) |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/boy_meets_girl/episodes/1/1/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828233524/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/boy_meets_girl/episodes/1/1/ |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Comedies">{{cite web |title=Alison Burrows |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/alison_burrows/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828233528/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/alison_burrows/ |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Phoenix">{{cite web |title=Phoenix Nights |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/phoenix_nights/episodes/1/6/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828233507/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/phoenix_nights/episodes/1/6/ |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Girlfriends">{{cite web |title=Episode 2 - Guest Cast |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1372945/girlfriends-1x02-episode-2/cast |website=TV Maze |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829035458/https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1372945/girlfriends-1x02-episode-2/cast |archive-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>
In September 2009, it was announced that Burrows would be joining the cast of the British soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' as Kathleen McQueen, part of the established McQueen family.<ref name="Hollyoaks 1">{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Kris |title='Hollyoaks' casts another McQueen |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a175327/hollyoaks-casts-another-mcqueen/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831181006/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a175327/hollyoaks-casts-another-mcqueen/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=2 September 2009}}</ref> The introduction of the character had been announced earlier that year, although it had not been confirmed who would be would be portraying her.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Kris |title=Gossip from the 'Hollyoaks' Press Day 2009 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a165536/gossip-from-the-hollyoaks-press-day-2009/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831181017/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a165536/gossip-from-the-hollyoaks-press-day-2009/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=16 July 2009}}</ref> Burrows first appeared in an episode of the series 2 of the ''Hollyoaks'' spinoff ''Hollyoaks Later'', originally broadcast on 30 September 2009, before debuting on the main show later in December of that year for a longer stint.<ref name="Hollyoaks 1" /> She appeared for a two-month stint and departed in February 2010.<ref name="Hollyoaks 2">{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title='Hollyoaks' return for Kathleen McQueen |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a281425/hollyoaks-return-for-kathleen-mcqueen/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831181021/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a281425/hollyoaks-return-for-kathleen-mcqueen/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=11 October 2010}}</ref> Burrows later returned to ''Hollyoaks'' for another stint beginning in December 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Look out! Kathleen's back |url=http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/look-out-kathleens-back-10260 |website=Holy Soap |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015210824/http://holysoap.five.tv/hollyoaks/news/look-out-kathleens-back-10260 |archive-date=15 October 2010 |date=12 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="Hollyoaks 2" /> Jorgie Porter, who portrays Kathleen's daughter Theresa McQueen, "loved" working with Burrows, telling ''Inside Soap'', "The scenes we do together are so intense - I hope she stays at ''Hollyoaks'' for a lot longer this time".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title='Oaks star excited over Kathleen return |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a284807/oaks-star-excited-over-kathleen-return/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831235521/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a284807/oaks-star-excited-over-kathleen-return/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=28 October 2010}}</ref> Burrows also portrayed Kathleen in the one-off late-night special episode ''Hollyoaks: King of Hearts'' which was broadcast on 15 December 2010.<ref name="Hollyoaks 3">{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title='Hollyoaks' confirms late-night special |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a287673/hollyoaks-confirms-late-night-special/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831221747/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a287673/hollyoaks-confirms-late-night-special/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=14 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title='King of Hearts' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a291731/king-of-hearts/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831221739/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a291731/king-of-hearts/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=7 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Schedule change for 'Hollyoaks' special |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a289629/schedule-change-for-hollyoaks-special/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831224241/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a289629/schedule-change-for-hollyoaks-special/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=24 November 2010}}</ref> Burrows appeared for several stints on the soap in a recurring capacity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Johnathon |title=6 of Hollyoaks' forgotten McQueen family members, from squaddie Louis to cunning Kathleen |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a824230/hollyoaks-forgotten-mcqueen-family-members/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831223837/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a824230/hollyoaks-forgotten-mcqueen-family-members/|archive-date=31 August 2025}}</ref> She later reprised the role for another guest stint beginning on 25 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Hollyoaks: Sonny Valentine to clash with Theresa's mum Kathleen |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a592328/hollyoaks-sonny-valentine-to-clash-with-theresas-mum-kathleen/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831181125/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a592328/hollyoaks-sonny-valentine-to-clash-with-theresas-mum-kathleen/ |archive-date=31 August 2025 |date=25 August 2014}}</ref>
In December 2014, it was announced that Burrows had joined the cast of the soap opera ''Coronation Street'' as Arlene Tinker, the sister of established character Beth Tinker (Lisa George), for a guest stint which aired in early 2015.<ref name="Coronation Street">{{cite web |last1=Finbow |first1=Katy |title=Coronation Street: Juliette Kaplan joining cast as Beth's grandma |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a617876/coronation-street-juliette-kaplan-joining-cast-as-beths-grandma/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829032156/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a617876/coronation-street-juliette-kaplan-joining-cast-as-beths-grandma/ |archive-date=29 August 2025 |date=21 December 2014}}</ref> Burrows was cast alongside Juliette Kaplan (Agnes Tinker) and Kate Fitzgerald (Nancy Tinker), who played Arlene and Beth's grandmother and mother, respectively, to introduce Beth's family to the soap.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miles |first1=Tina |title=Brookside familiar face Kate Fitzgerald pops up in Coronation Street |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/brookside-familiar-face-kate-fitzgerald-8415363 |website=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829032333/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/brookside-familiar-face-kate-fitzgerald-8415363 |archive-date=29 August 2025 |date=9 January 2015}}</ref> Burrows later returned to the role in scenes that aired in 2018 and 2019 for storylines relating to her daughter, Sinead Tinker (Katie McGlynn).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Coronation Street: 22 new spoiler pictures as Paul breaks his silence over Kel |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/g29750365/coronation-street-spoiler-pictures-paul-breaks-silence/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829032202/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/g29750365/coronation-street-spoiler-pictures-paul-breaks-silence/ |archive-date=29 August 2025 |date=16 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibbons |first1=Lottie |title=ITV Coronation Street fans furious with Sinead's mum reaction to her dying daughter |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/itv-coronation-street-fans-furious-17150269 |website=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829033317/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/itv-coronation-street-fans-furious-17150269 |archive-date=29 August 2025 |date=25 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Episode 9351 |series=Coronation Street |series-link=Coronation Street |credits=Series producer: Kate Oates; Director: Neil Anderton; Writer: Simon Crowther |network=ITV |airdate=12 January 2018}}</ref> George noted on Twitter that she enjoyed working with Burrows.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=In and Out |magazine=Inside Soap |date=5–11 October 2019 |issue=40|page=92}}</ref> Burrows had previously appeared on ''Coronation Street'' prior to being cast as Arlene.<ref name="Hollyoaks 1" />
In 2017, Burrows appeared in two episodes of the British crime drama ''In the Dark''.<ref name="Dark 1">{{cite web |title=Episode 3 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08zj2wv |website=BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828235617/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08zj2wv |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Dark 2">{{cite web |title=Episode 4 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09052h3 |website=BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828235627/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09052h3 |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref> That same year, she guest-starred in an episode of the BBC soap opera ''Doctors'', which was broadcast on 10 October 2017.<ref name="Doctors">{{cite web |title=False Positive |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b098hjrh |website=BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828235601/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b098hjrh |archive-date=28 August 2025}}</ref> In 2021, she appeared in an episode of the 12th series of ''Moving On''.<ref name="Moving on">{{cite web |title=More Than Words |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000t4gy |website=BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829035253/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000t4gy |archive-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> Burrows has also appeared in the films ''Some Kind of Life'' (1996), ''Flesh and Blood'' (2002), ''The Bad Mother's Handbook'' (2007) and ''Grow Your Own'' (2007), as well as the television shows ''Heartbeat'', ''The Cops'', ''Holby City'', ''Peak Practice'', ''The Bill'', ''Nice Guy Eddie'', ''The Royal'', ''Bodies'', ''Emmerdale'' and ''The Royal Today''.<ref name="Other credits">{{cite web |title=Alison Burrows |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/alison-burrows/credits/3000595707/ |website=TV Guide |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=31 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250831170621/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/alison-burrows/credits/3000595707/ |archive-date=31 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hollyoaks 1" />
==Selected filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |- | 1994 | ''Lovejoy'' | Hotel Receptionist | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Comedies" /> |- | 1997 | ''My Son the Fanatic'' | Prostitute | Comedy drama film | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Son" /> |- | 1997 | ''Groove on a Stanley Knife'' | Tammy | Short film | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Groove" /> |- | 1998 | ''A Prince Among Men'' | Fan | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Comedies" /> |- | 1999–2000 | ''Queer as Folk'' | Sandra Docherty | Two seasons | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Queer" /> |- | 2000 | ''That Peter Kay Thing'' | {{n/a}} | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Comedies" /> |- | 2001 | ''Phoenix Nights'' | Michelle Coffee | Guest role (Series 1, Episode 6) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Phoenix" /> |- | 2003 | ''The Illustrated Mum'' | Lizzie | Television film | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Illustrated Mum" /> |- | 2004 | ''Outlaws'' | Social Worker | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Comedies" /> |- | 2005 | ''Shameless'' | TV Woman | Guest role (Series 1, episode 2) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Shameless" /> |- | 2008 | ''Slaterwood'' | Various | Television pilot (part of Comedy Lab) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Slaterwood" /> |- | 2009 |''Boy Meets Girl'' | Female Customer | Guest role (Series 1, Episode 1) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Boy" /> |- | 2009 | ''Hollyoaks Later'' | Kathleen McQueen | 1 episode (series 2) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Hollyoaks 1" /> |- | 2009–11, 2014 | ''Hollyoaks'' | Kathleen McQueen | Recurring role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Hollyoaks 2" /> |- | 2010 | ''Hollyoaks: King of Hearts'' | Kathleen McQueen | Late-night special | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Hollyoaks 3" /> |- | 2015, 2018–19 | ''Coronation Street'' | Arlene Tinker | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Coronation Street" /> |- | 2017 | ''In the Dark'' | Katie | Episodes 3 and 4 | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Dark 1" /> |- | 2017 | ''Doctors'' | Samantha Friend | 1 episode ("False Positive") | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Doctors" /> |- | 2018 | ''Girlfriends'' | Veronica | Guest role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Girlfriends" /> |- | 2021 | ''Moving On'' | Anne | Guest role (1 episode) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Moving on" /> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0123244}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burrows, Alison}} Category:Living people Category:English soap opera actresses Category:English television actresses Category:English film actresses Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century English actresses Category:20th-century English actresses