Life and career[edit]

Chilton was born in Leicester and trained in acting and dance at a young age.^[1] In 2006, she began her stage career with appearances in theatre productions such as The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer's Night Dream and The Boy Friend.^[2] In 2007, she was cast in the lead role of a production of Marianne Dreams at the Almeida Theatre.^[3] A year later, she was cast in the BBC soap opera Doctors. She appeared as series regular Ruth Pearce from 2008 to 2011.^[4] For her portrayal of the role, she received two nominations at the 2009 British Soap Awards, for both Best Actress and Best Newcomer.^[5][6] She then won the Acting Performance award at the 2009 RTS Midlands Awards,^[7] as well as garnering another Best Actress nomination at the 2010 British Soap Awards, a Best Daytime Star nomination at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards and a Most Popular Newcomer nomination at the 15th National Television Awards.^[8][9]