Kelsey-Beth Crossley (born 8 July 1992) is an English actress and singer from Fleetwood, Lancashire. She is best known for playing Scarlett Nicholls in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, the secret teenage daughter of millionaire Tom King and Carrie Nicholls. Crossley made her first appearance on the show in March 2007 and remained until November 2012, becoming one of the youngest actors to join the cast at the time.
A former pupil of Bispham High School Arts College in Blackpool, Crossley’s route into Emmerdale began when she was put forward for an audition by the Blackpool-based children’s casting agency Scream Management. Out of hundreds of hopefuls, she made it through several stages of auditions and workshops before being shortlisted for screen tests. Eventually, she was selected as one of two finalists and returned to the Fylde coast to await the decision — a decision that would launch her television career.
Her television debut came a year earlier, in 2006, when she appeared in a BBC One Real Story special hosted by Fiona Bruce. The docudrama, titled Becky’s Story, depicted the true case of a vulnerable teenager who had been failed by social services and exploited by a paedophile. Crossley played a supporting role and was chosen for the production after winning two awards at the annual Scream Awards, where she caught the attention of TV director Fran Baker, one of the judges, who invited her to audition for the role.
Crossley’s love for performing began long before television. At just nine years old, she appeared as Eva Lauren in the rags-to-riches musical Her Benny at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Two years later, she won the national Teeny Bopper Talent Show and went on to win Festival4Stars, triumphing over hundreds of competitors. She trained at Scream Theatre School in Blackpool, where she studied drama, dance, and singing, and took additional private tuition to refine her skills — studying singing with top vocal coach Zoë Tyler, drama with Seren Mistery, and piano with renowned teacher Ruth Birchall.
Her dedication to theatre continued alongside her television work. In 2011, she took on the title role of Aladdin in the Floral Pavilion Theatre’s Christmas pantomime, earning strong local praise for her stage presence and vocal ability.
In 2014, Crossley appeared on the BBC’s The Voice UK. Her audition, broadcast on 18 January, impressed the judges enough to secure her a place on the show, and she advanced to the Battle Rounds before being eliminated. Following her appearance, Crossley spoke openly about her experiences in the entertainment industry. After losing three stone in weight, she revealed in an interview with The Sun that she had undergone breast augmentation surgery, increasing from a 34A to a 34DD to help regain her confidence and restore her body shape.
Kelsey-Beth Crossley’s career reflects her lifelong passion for performing — from her early theatre roles and national competition wins to her success on television and reality shows. Her journey from a young performer in Fleetwood to a household name on Emmerdale demonstrates her versatility, dedication, and the enduring strength of the North West’s performing arts community.
Kelsey Beth Crossley – UK Premiere of ‘The Expendables 2’ at the Empire, Leicester Square, London – August 13th 2012 Photo by Keith Mayhew
