Remember Miss Hoolie? Here’s What She’s Doing Now!
She lived in the green house and always wore green… of course, we’re talking about everyone’s favourite childhood TV star: Miss Hoolie.
Charting the adventures of an (extremely) friendly community on the fictional Scottish island of Balamory, the classic kids’ favourite was possibly the best ever show to be aired on CBeebies (in fact, on TV in general).
Whether it was Archie inventing the entire universe or Josie Jump bouncing around the town, we all fell in love with the show’s characters – and who better to narrate the Balamory chaos and it’s infuriatingly catchy theme songs than the wonderfully kind, lovable and downright adorable, Miss Hoolie.
You’re singing it now, aren’t you? ‘Baaa…laa….moorr…rrreeee…. what’s the story…’
We All Loved Balamory
Being part of the show’s 200-odd episodes – as well as a sensational live show – the children’s actress (and total babe) cheerfully introduced and concluded each show. In short: she kept us all in the Balamory loop (and feeling pretty darn positive)…
Behind CBeebies most loved character was actress Julie Wilson Nimmo, who played Miss Hoolie for all of the show’s four seasons – between 2002-2005. So, we all recognise Julie as the adorable nursery teacher, right!? But outside of life on the colourful island of Balamory, who is the woman behind our beloved narrator?
Miss Hoolie (As We Know Her) Started Drama School At Age 18
According to Wikipedia, Julie moved from East Kilbride – where she grew up – to Glasgow. Between 1991 and 1994, Julie attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Here she learnt to dance, sing and act (all of which stood her in good stead for her iconic Balamory role).
https://twitter.com/mondodoll/status/454364329669062657
Her First Acting Role Was In A Comedy Sketch
We all know that Miss Hoolie’s utterly hilarious, so it’ll come as no surprise that Wilson Nimmo’s first gig in the acting world was a comedy sketch show. Titled Pulp Video , the show was partly written by her now-hubby Greg Hemphill.
The Actress Was A Regular In Chewin’ The Fat
After establishing her comedy career, Nimmo was later cast in Chewin’ The Fat: a popular sketch show by the same writer (aka her now-husband). It’ll come as no surprise that she starred in all four series of the show too – it’s certainly not what you know…
She’s Also Appeared On Stage
Before her Balamory days, Nimmo wasn’t short of acting gigs – she was part of a production of the pantomime musical Aladdin, as well as playing Elizabeth Macquarie in the docudrama, The Father of Australia. Oh and she briefly appeared in the Scottish comedy television series Rab C. Nesbitt too – you know, the one with the string vest!?
Then Came The Show Balamory…
With plenty of showbiz experience on her CV, casting Julie Wilson Nimmo as the show’s narrator was an absolute no brainer.
Life In Balamory Was Good To Her
If you’ve never seen the show (what?!), let us introduce to you the beloved nursery teacher. She’s the show’s framing character, playfully introducing the programme with her tuneful – and super catchy – ‘everybody, everyone’ song (sorry, we know it’ll be stuck in your head now…). To cut a long story short – Balamory would be nothing without her.
But She Wasn’t That Lucky With The Fellas
Appearing to have missed the memo that PC Plum is blatantly gay, Hoolie’s character plays out the tragic unrequited love story between herself and dreamboat PC Plum (which is, by the way, like the saddest thing you’ve ever seen)…
The Real Life Actress Wasn’t As Unlucky In Love
Unlike her onscreen character who was doomed to spinsterhood, Julie bagged herself a husband. Who is, by the way, none other than Greg Hemphill – the legendary actor, writer and comedian!
Since Leaving The Scottish Island Miss Hoolie’s Stayed Busy
After taking a short break from acting to bring up her two sons, Benny, 16, and Chevy, 12, Wilson Nimmo returned to TV with a vengeance. She starred in Scottish horror drama West Skerra Light, before moving onto her husband’s horror comedy Long Night at Blackstone.
She’s Got A Major Role In Scot Squad
Although Julie made her name in Balamory, she’s one of the grown-ups in BBC Scotland’s crime drama Scot Squad. In the spoof comedy she plays the lovable Detective Constable Megan Squire.
Julie Was Even On Still Game
Featuring in yet another of her husband – Greg Hemphill’s – shows, Julie had the role of keeping Methadone Mick (if you’ve never watched it, you get the gist…) on the straight and narrow in Still Game.
She Stayed Close With Her Friends From Balamory
After the sad death of actress Mary Riggans (shopkeeper Suzie Sweet) at the age of 78, Julie expressed her shock and sadness at the loss of her friend. In an interview with the BBC, Julie revealed that she stayed in contact with her since co-staring in the CBeebies’ show:
“Shocked and saddened to hear about Mary’s passing. We worked together for years, she was a brilliant actress and will be remembered fondly by the Balamory family.”
Miss Hoolie And PC Plum Reunited On Pointless
Speaking of staying close with her co-stars, Miss Hoolie and her beloved PC Plum teaming up on the popular daytime quiz show? Consider this heart well and truly melted.
As if #misshoolie and #pcplumb are on #pointless 😂😂😂 LOVE it #balamory @TVsPointless pic.twitter.com/3fC82ynrBN
— Jen ⚽️ (@liverbirdjen) August 1, 2016
If you’re wanting to keep in the loop with Julie, follow her personal account or the Miss Hoolie spoof account (trust us, it’s hilarious).
