She is known for portraying the role of Donna Windsor in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1998 to 2009, with a guest appearance in 2014.

[3] After appearing on Emmerdale for over 10 years, Rushworth filmed her final scenes at the end of 2008 which were later aired in January 2009.

[5] Rushworth then played the leading role of Maria von Trapp in the 2011 UK tour of The Sound of Music, before taking on the role of Velma in Chicago at Curve Theatre, Leicester from November 2013 to January 2014.

[6] On 6 January 2014, it was announced that Rushworth would be returning to Emmerdale to reprise the role of Donna, after a five-year-absence.

[7] She shared the role of Holly Golightly with Pixie Lott during the 2016 tour of Breakfast at Tiffany's.