Corrie's Julie Hesmondhalgh explains why she would not portray Hayley today

Julie Hesmondhalgh, right, portraying Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street, with onscreen husband Roy Cropper.

Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondhalgh has said she would not take the part of Hayley Cropper today, and hopes she would not be offered it.

The actress played the first trans character in a British soap when she arrived on the Coronation Street cobbles in 1998.