Claire Sweeney is one of the UK's best loved personalities with a string of credits to her name on stage and screen, in a career which takes her from Prime Time Saturday Night Television to star roles in London's West End Theatre.

Most recently, Claire authored a one-hour primetime documentary for ITV1 called Claire Sweeney: My Big Fat Diet. In the film she was given carte blanche to eat what she liked, gaining two stone in just six weeks, in order to show the dramatic effects binge eating and excessive weight gain can have on your body and health.

Prior to this she starred in the first ever UK production of the musical Shout!  Having enjoyed a successful run on Broadway, this show takes its inspiration from the fabulous hazy days of the swinging 60's, capturing the amazing fashions, sexual liberation and great fun of the times.

TV career
Trained at the Eliot Clark Stage School in Liverpool and the Italia Conti Stage School in London, her highly acclaimed work has included playing the regular character of 'Lindsey Corkhill' in Brookside, the fiery character 'Katrina' in the award winning drama Clocking Off and 'Roz' in BBC1's hit drama Merseybeat. Claire has also enjoyed presenting BBC1's Saturday night show - Here Comes The Sun, ITV's Saturday Night show - Challenge of a Lifetime culminating in the ultimate accolade This Is Your Life.

Claire was invited into Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother House to be part of the show's most successful run in 2001. She has presented four series of her own Daytime one hour Lifestyle Programme for ITV called 60 Minute Makeover which has been a great success and she has also enjoyed presenting three Live Specials called I'm Famous & Frightened for Living TV.

Recent work
Claire has been a regular guest presenter on ITV's Loose Women show and she also enjoyed her popular participation in BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing. She was actively involved in BBC's Sports Relief, Superstars - Battle of the Channels, where Claire successfully competed in various sporting events for the ITV team.

Claire has released her own interactive fitness DVD Perfect Fit in conjunction with Weight Watchers, which has become one of the top ten sellers.

Claire was delighted and honoured to perform at A Party to Remember broadcast live on BBC1 from Trafalgar Square in celebration of VE Day, and she mesmerised TV audiences at The Festival of Commemoration in Horse Guards Parade performing live to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in the presence of HM The Queen. She also enjoyed her involvement in BBC1's The Big Event, the 'Rolf on Art' Special which took place live at Trafalgar Square with numerous artists from all around the country taking part to recreate a giant version of Holbein's 'Henry VIII'.

On stage
Claire was invited to appear on Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes as 'Celine Dion', and won the event outright. This brought much attention to Claire's musical side of her career which has won her many coverted roles starring as 'Miss Adelaide' opposite Patrick Swayze in the award winning production of Guys and Dolls in London's West End, 'Roxie Hart' in the West End production of Chicago, headlining in Fosse - The World Tour and her acclaimed performance duets with International Opera stars Bryn Terfel and Jose Carrereas at The Royal Albert Hall.

In December 2007, Claire took part in the 10th Anniversary Gala Performance of Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre in London where principal cast members from the last 10 years returned for a special one-off performance in aid of Breast Cancer Haven & Breast Health Institute.

This Spring, Claire will be appearing in the first ever UK tour of Shout! a groovy musical which takes you back to the fabulous, hazy days of the swinging 60's.  From the same producers of hits Fame, Saturday Night Fever and Footloose, the audience will be taken on an incredible musical journey around Swinging London, capturing the amazing fashions, sexual liberation and great fun of the times.

Claire has appeared as the celebrity guest star in the successful West End and Broadway play based on the work of Morecambe & Wise, The Play Wot I Wrote.

Claire's debut album, simply entitled 'Claire' was highly successful.

Awards

Claire is always in demand to host and/or perform at various Award Ceremonies.  She was delighted to host The Royal Television Society Awards, The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards and The Breathing Life Awards for Channel FIVE.

Charity work
Among her various charity works, Claire has worked as the Forces Sweetheart entertaining British Troops abroad. She was the first entertainer to visit the troops in Afghanistan and Oman. Claire is HIV/AIDS Ambassador for Save the Children and has traveled with the charity to look at the impact of AIDS on children in South Africa.  Her work there included visiting a children's hospice, meeting communities to see how families are coping with the disease and filming for GMTV in a bid to raise awareness.

Born and raised in Liverpool with an active interest in sport, Claire supports Everton FC, (for which her adoring Liverpool fans say she can be forgiven!). Claire's charm, talent and beauty have already won her universal popularity, and she is truly one of Britain's best loved young stars