In the world of Coronation Street, characters come and go, but Leo Thompkins left a mark on viewers with is tragic murder storyline. Portrayed by actor Joe Frost, the actor entered the cobbled streets of Weatherfield in September 2021, instantly capturing the hearts of fans.
However, Leo’s journey on the iconic soap opera was a rollercoaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
As fans learned that his body has finally been discovered and murderer Stephen may finally face justice for his crimes, let’s take a look at the actor behind the role, including his impressive singing achievement and close relationship to Gary Barlow
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“Gutted” over Exit
Leo Thompkins met a tragic end in September 2022, and the circumstances surrounding his departure from Coronation Street were nothing short of shocking. Initially destined for a new life in Canada, Leo’s fate took a dark turn when he became the victim of a brutal murder at the hands of Stephen Reid, portrayed by Todd Boyce.
The gruesome showdown unfolded on a factory gantry, ultimately leading to Leo’s demise. Joe Frost, reflecting on his time on the soap, took to social media to bid farewell to his character, emphasizing the dream come true it had been for him.
“Oooft. What a ride… Six weeks that turned into a hell of a year,” he captioned an Instagram snap. “A dream come true for a lad from the North West. Can’t thank the whole team at @coronationstreet enough for letting me add my footprints to the cobbles. “(This one was for you Gran…) Now, how’s that sinkhole looking? #Leo #Corrie #OverAndOut”.
Grandma Tribute
Joe Frost’s connection to Coronation Street ran deeper than just his acting career. His late grandmother was an avid fan of the show, and Joe recalled her persistent wish to see him become part of the cast. Tragically, she passed away just a year before Joe secured his role on the soap. The timing of his entrance on Coronation Street, exactly one year later, felt serendipitous, almost as if the stars had aligned to fulfill his grandmother’s dream.
Opening up about his love of the soap before joining, Joe previously said: “My gran was a massive, massive Coronation Street fan and whatever acting job I did, she asked why I wasn’t on Corrie yet. “Sadly she passed away a year ago and it was a year to the week that I got the job at Coronation Street. I think the stars aligned there. My family are big Corrie fans.”
Reality TV Past
(Image: BBC)
While Joe Frost may be best known for his role as Leo Thompkins, fans with a keen eye might recognize him from a previous stint on reality television. In 2017, Joe appeared on BBC One’s Let It Shine, a reality show hosted by none other than Gary Barlow. Although Joe wasn’t a contestant, he was part of the cast of the West End hit Jersey Boys, who made a guest appearance on the show. The series aimed to assemble a boy band for the musical The Band, featuring the songs of Take That.
(Image: BBC)
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Before landing his role in Corrie, Joe had a diverse acting career, with credits in short films like One Shot and Superboy: Son of Tomorrow under the name Joe Maxwell.
He had also showcased his talent on various theater stages, performing in musicals such as Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver! And An Officer and a Gentleman. Beyond his acting career, Joe Frost is also an acting and vocal talent coach, sharing his expertise with aspiring performers.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
