Julia Goulding is famed for portraying Shona Platt in ITV’s Coronation Street, having made her soap debut back in 2016 and going on to become the wife of David Platt
Julia Goulding is best known for portraying Shona Platt in Coronation Street, having taken on the role back in 2016. Shona’s become a fan favourite on the cobbles, with her and husband David Platt (Jack P. Shephard) proving to be one of soapland’s best couples.
Prior to joining the ITV soap, Julia, 39, had appeared in theatre productions including g The Crucible, The Canterbury Tales, Othello, Merchant of Venice and The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith. The actress trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Coronation Street ended up being Julia’s first TV role and she’s remained on the soap ever since, having only taken a brief break for maternity leave in the past.
Julia plays Shona Platt, wife of David (Jack P. Shephard) in Coronation Street (Image: ITV)
She previously told of her excitement of having joined Corrie, telling OK!: “Every now and again, you’re walking around and it’ll hit you – ‘Oh my God, I’m on Coronation Street!’ It can be something as simple as standing in the queue at the canteen. Even if I’m there in 60 years’ time, I think I’ll still get that buzz.”
In real life, Julia is happily married to husband Ben Silver. The pair tied the knot at Manchester’s Albert Hall after three years of dating – which included a secret ten-month engagement.
Speaking about their big day afterwards, Julia told OK! about the choice of venues: “I love being on stage and I always wanted to get married on one!” While Ben told the magazine about seeing the bride for the first time, saying: “As soon as I saw Julia, I just knew it was the best day of my life.”
Julia with husband Ben
The actress is a mum to two children
Julia and Ben welcomed their first child in 2019, a baby boy named Franklin Wolf Silver. She wrote on Instagram at the time: “Thank you to the lovely couple in the park who took this picture for us. Taken as I was in early labour on my due date. The next day Ben and I welcomed our baby son into the world. Franklin Wolf Silver born on 30/11/19. He’s changed our lives for the better in every way. I feel like I’ve known him my whole life.”
The couple then welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Emmeline, in November 2022. Julia and Ben posed a snap at the hospital with their newborn, with the actress writing: “On Saturday our little girl arrived. We’re absolutely elated and Franklin is besotted with his little sister, Emmeline Beanie Silver. She’s perfect.”
