Laura Norton

In August 2014, Norton helped to raise awareness of the disease ALS by participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

On 23 February 2013, Norton returned to the Live Theatre in Newcastle in White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, a play written by Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour. She performed the production alone, without even seeing the script beforehand, on a simplified set and without direction.

On 9 February 2013, Norton also showed her support for a campaign to prevent the closure of libraries in the Newcastle area. Norton read scenes from We love you, Arthur and also a monologue about dementia. Norton was joined by Emmerdale colleagues, Chelsea Halfpenny and Charlie Hardwick.

Norton on 16 February 2013, also joined forces with a number of local campaigners opposing cuts to front-line services as a consequence of the funding cuts made by the coalition government. She was again joined by Chelsea Halfpenny, Charlie Hardwick and North East playwright Fiona Evans.

Norton has been nominated in the best newcomer category at the 2013 British Soap Awards.

On 8 October 2012 she also appeared on the CBBC television series Wolfblood as Sergeant Ashford.

In 2012, it was announced that Norton would be joining the Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale as Kerry Wyatt, estranged mother of Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny). Emmerdale marked Norton's first regular television role and she made her first appearance on 17 July 2012.

On Wednesday 17 October 2012, Norton also took part in the live episode broadcast of Emmerdale, which marked the soap opera's 40th anniversary.

Early in 2012, Norton also appeared in I'm Sorry – Present:Tense with Nabakov, a play based around a specific topic effecting the local area of Newcastle. After development of the idea a theme was selected after it featured heavily in the Evening Chronicle. It was announced that the series of plays would focus on "How Government cuts are disproportionally affecting women."

In 2012 Norton appeared alongside Bev Fox (co-founder), Paula Penman and Jayne Humphreys in partnership with Newcastle-based improvisational group The Suggestibles, at the Newcastle Pride Festival 2012. She performed comedy sketches in the Women's tent as part of the Pride festival.

In 2011 at the Live Theatre, Norton appeared alongside actor Mark Benton and Joe Caffrey in Jesting About. "A collaborative project between the BBC and Northern Film and Media (NFM), aimed at unearthing new laugh-making talent" within the North East. The 30-minute comedy sketch show was also broadcast on BBC Radio Newcastle on 2 May 2011.

In 2010, Norton also booked a role as Carol, a businesswoman, in Canoeing For Beginners. Carol was in a desperate search for her father Frank, who faked his own death and subsequently tracks him down in Cuba to find out the truth. She earned good reviews for her performances with one reviewer calling her performance "superb". The production was performed at the Customs House, South Shields.

Also in 2010, Norton booked a role in A Nightingale Sang portraying the role of Helen. The production toured the North of England and was performed at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre and at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough in early 2010.

Also in 2010, Norton portrayed the role of lap dancer Carla in Faith & Cold Reading opposite Stephen Tompkinson. She earned positive reviews for her role in Faith & Cold Reading. Chris Collett of The Stage magazine commented, she was "restrained yet, heart-rending performance as Carla, Sammy's world weary girlfriend."

In 2009, Norton appeared in You Couldn't Make It Up, "A fascinating and satirical look at the recent media circus surrounding the trials and tribulations of The Toon Army." In the same year, Norton appeared at the Customs House in Lucky Numbers a comedy by playwright Mike Yeaman. She played the role of a Goth.

In 2009, Norton portrayed the role of Dara, a "20 something good time girl" in the Live Theatre's production of Jump.

In 2008, she appeared at the Northern Stage (formerly Newcastle Playhouse) as Blackie the Cat in Hansel and Gretel.

In 2007, Norton returned to the Customs House to take her first foray into Pantomime. Starring as Princess Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk alongside David Ducasse and Victoria Elliot.

After two years away from the stage, Norton returned, booking a role as Sharon in Writing Wrong at The Customs House, South Shields as part of the theatre's February Drama Festival in 2006. She then appeared in New Writing North's production of Immaculate Deception.

In 2004 Norton played small roles as Geordie Girl in 55 Degrees North and Susie in Steel River Blues. Norton also worked as an extra on Byker Grove before she was cast as Sam, a local journalist.

Norton has filmed a number of short films during her career. In 2004 she appeared as Charity Girl, in Paul Gilbert's Would You Like to Meet. She also featured in Dene Film's Apple Crush as Beatrice and in Aggro, a short for Shakabuku Films.

In 2004, she also took part in A City on the Tyne at the Live Theatre, a celebration of local writer Sid Chaplin. Norton read extracts from one of Chaplin's works, Grace Before Meat.

From 27 November to 23 December 2004, Norton appeared as Pepita, in The Weather Kitchen at the Chelsea Theatre London.

Norton booked a role with the production, portraying Lisa in Keepers of the Flame. Before she undertook her role in 2003, Norton discussed booking her first major professional stage role, "I cried when I was told I had got through the audition. I still can't believe it. It really is a dream come true. Lisa's the one who brings lightness to the play. She's quite humorous - the only character who there's a bit of hope for. Am I like her at all? Well, I can be feisty sometimes!"

Laura Norton (born 19 June 1983) is an English actress from Newcastle upon Tyne best known for her role in ITV's Yorkshire based soap opera, Emmerdale as Kerry Wyatt. Norton has worked extensively in Newcastle and in the North East England region. During her career, Norton has appeared in numerous television series working for ITV and the BBC.