Born in Toxteth, Liverpool, Cheryl attended the Liverpool Theatre School for three years. Since completing her drama training, she has appeared in Alan Bleasdale's "Boys From the Blackstuff", in which she played a social security snooper posing as an Avon lady, the BBC production "The Muscle Market", "Ruby in the Traffic, Iris in the Rain", in which she played a punk, "Sweet Nothings" and "Good Companions". She also appeared in the television film of the popular series "Give Us a Break". Running parallel to her acting commitments, Cheryl is also a talented singer. She fronted and played the guitar with the rock band Word for Word and co-wrote the bands material with Dave Lorentz. During the summer of 1986, the band played at the 'Soap Aid' concert for the benefit of African relief.