Background
Cavanagh was born in North Shields, Northumberland, and grew up in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Cavanagh was born in North Shields, Northumberland, and grew up in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
She was educated at Canon Slade School and trained at RADA and National Youth Theatre.
She also had regular roles in British Broadcasting Corporation drama The Cops (1998–2001), and the Independent Television drama Bob & Rose (2001). Cavanagh has appeared regularly on British television since 1997. She had a regular role as Mel in the award-winning seriesThe Cops from 1998 to 2001.
In 2004, she had a regular role as Sergeant Dawn "Spike" Milligan in the television series Dalziel and Pascoe.
In 2006, she appeared in an episode of the Channel 4 drama Shameless as Shirley Lawson. Cavanagh appeared in a stage adaptation of the serial, entitled Coronation Street: Street of Dreams in May 2012.
Cavanagh filled the pivotal role of the "Angel of the North". Who guided Paul O"Grady through fifty years of storylines.
Cavanagh said that the prospect of playing Julie on stage was "very exciting".
In 2013, she appeared in the short film Bradford Halifax London as Mam. Since late 2013, she has voiced the advertisements for British supermarket chain Iceland. In February 2015, it was announced that she would leave Coronation Street in order to pursue other interests.
Her final episode aired on 3 July 2015.