Coronation Street’s Connor family have been at the centre of some of the ITV soap’s biggest storylines over the years from from multiple steamy affairs to Johnny’s death during Super Soap week.
Talking on ITV daytime programme Loose Women about Johnny’s exit from the soap, actor Richard Hawley said: “Sally Ann [Matthews, his estranged wife Jenny in the soap] and I had always wanted to do what was a really great love story and to be perfectly honest, if you want to do a really great love story, somebody has to die.
“It has to be over. And that’s what we wanted. That’s why I stepped up, really and said I was ready to go.”
Daily Star looks at where stars such as Richard Hawley and other members of the Connor family are now after leaving the streets of Weatherfield.
Johnny Connor
(Image: ITV)
Rovers Return owner Johnny Connor was at the centre of a huge storyline in October when he tried to save wife Jenny after she fell into a sink hole, but died after saving her.
Actor Richard Hawley played Johnny from 2015-2021, but he already had a long acting career before stepping onto the cobbles.
This included roles in tv series The Vet in 1995, multiple series of Prime Suspect and playing Deputy Prime minister Alex in Love Actually.
(Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
After leaving Coronation Street two months ago, he has already gotten to work by starring in a new short film called Last Man Back, which is currently in production.
However, he also revealed that he is embarking on a different career path, alongside acting, while talking to Katie Piper on Loose Women, saying: “I’ve got some really exciting plans actually.
“Firstly, I’m going to train and volunteer in a forest school nearby where I live. I did a bit of work in one and they’re just fantastic places for kids. Families come as well, and I did washing up on my volunteering days.”
Richard also lives in Brighton with Helen, who he has been married to for over 30 years, and their two children.
Michelle Connor
Before playing Rovers Return barmaid Michelle Connor, Kym Marsh rose to fame as part of chart topping pop group Hear’Say, before pursuing a career in acting and presenting.
From 2006 to 2019 she played Michelle Connor, and during her time on the cobbles, she was the fifth wife of Steve McDonald.
They were married from 2015 to 2017, but aside from Steve, Michelle had her fair share of romances with other characters including with barman Ciaran played by Boyzone’s Keith Duffy.
(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
After leaving Coronation Street, Kym has continued to act in programmes including The Syndicate and also hosts BBC’s Morning Live opposite Gethin Jones.
In her personal life, Kym also has some soap star links, as she was previously married to Eastenders’ actor Jack Ryder from 2002 to 2009 and Hollyoaks’ Jamie Lomas from 2012 to 2014.
She most recently shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, following the news that her daughter Emily, who is 24, had gotten engaged, saying: “I am beyond thrilled! They are so wonderful together, have a beautiful little family of their own already and are fantastic parents to Teddy and Polly [Kym’s nine-year-old daughter]!”
Kate Connor
Kate Connor, the daughter of Johnny and brother to Aidan Connor, was played by actress Faye Brookes from 2015-2019.
Having won awards for her role in the popular ITV soap, she has since taken her onscreen success to the stage, performing in numerous productions including Shrek The Musical and Legally Blonde: The Musical, where she met former fiance Gareth Gates.
(Image: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
However, the couple split in 2019 and Kate has now found love with her boyfriend Joe Davies, regularly sharing photos of their beautiful, lavish home in Cheshire on social media.
Kate is continuing to perform onstage as Roxie Hart in the UK tour of Chicago, but hasn’t ruled out a return to Coronation Street, saying to the Shropshire Star: “I would gladly go back.
“For now, I am just loving my life back on the stage but if the timing was right, I’d happily return.”
Liam Connor
(Image: ITV)
Liam Connor, played by Rob James-Collier joined Coronation Street in 2006, marrying fellow resident Maria, before being killed in a hit and run two years later in 2008.
From there, Rob achieved new levels of fame, playing butler Thomas Barrow on the hit ITV drama series Downton Abbey from 2010-2015, and is currently delighting fans as Martin Evershed in the Channel 4 series Ackley Bridge.
(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Talking to TV presenter Phillip Schofield on ITV daytime programme This Morning, he also revealed that the second Downton Abbey film is in production, saying: “I am not going to give anything away.
“We are filming yes, that’s why I’ve got this dodgy Edwardian side parting.”
He lives with his partner Lauren Chandiram and they have a son called Milo.
Aidan Connor
(Image: ITV)
Like his fellow Coronation Street co-star Kym Marsh, actor Shayne Ward rose to fame as a popstar as the winner of The X-Factor in 2005, before playing Aidan Connor from 2015-2018.
Since then, he has followed in actress Faye Brooks’ footsteps and moved to a career on the stage, starring in productions including Rock of Ages, as well as Band of Gold.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He’s not the only famous soap star in his family though.
Since 2016, he has been dating Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin and the couple have a daughter called Willow.
In 2017 he announced that the couple had gotten engaged on Boxing Day, posting a photo of Sophie wearing her ring, with the caption “Mrs Ward to be.”
However, the pair postponed their wedding during the pandemic and are yet to tie the knot.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
