Manchester native Graeme Hawley is best known for starring as deranged ex-teacher John Snape in ITV’s Coronation Street until he was killed off in 2011.
He played the ex-teacher for four years after joining the cast on the cobbles in 2007 and was nominated for Villain of the Year in 2009 at the Soap Awards.
He was again nominated for the same award in 2011 after his murderous storyline came to a dramatic end with his suicide – which kept the nation hooked.
Since leaving the soap, the actor has taken on a major career U-turn and enjoys private family life with his famous wife and their two kids.
In between his major transformation and crazed fan attack, let’s take a look at his life away from the cameras…
Famous Wife
(Image: Getty Images)
Actor Graeme isn’t the only talented screen star in the family as his wife Elianne Byrne shares his bid for soap stardom.
Elianne, who shares two children with Graeme, also appeared on Coronation Street in two different roles: firstly in 2002 as an unnamed Paramedic who tended to Audrey Roberts after son-in-law Richard Hillman tried to kill her in an arson attack.
(Image: PA)
She returned to the programme in 2013 as Amma Newbury, the probation officer of Rob Donovan.
Her other credits include roles in Medics, City Central, Heartbeat, Stanton Blues, Where the Heart Is, North & South, Ideal and The Royal.
Elianne is best known for appearing in Emmerdale as various different roles between 1998 and 2017 as three characters including a nurse, Chrissy Roberts and Stephanie Ray.
She has been married to Graeme – who played serial killer John Stape in Corrie – since 2008 and now have two children together; Audrey, 13, and Henry, 11.
New Job
(Image: ITV)
The former soap serial killer has made a huge career U-turn since Corrie and is currently raking in the cash with a new role – working on a Christmas market stall.
Despite having appeared in a few roles since his soap exit, including various cameo roles including in Channel 4’s mini-series National Treasure and taken to the stage, the dad-of-two has struggled to find work ever since.
Graeme posed for selfies back in 2016 with fans who spotted him in York and chatted about his acting career.
(Image: ITV)
He told one customer who asked why he was working on a market stall: “It’s better than panto.”
But he has also been snapped working on another stall in the city – selling festive chocs.
The 46-year-old star joked: “I’m not the Chilli Jam Man. I’m the Chilli Jam Man’s mate and I’m selling Chill Jam because the Chilli Jam Man’s late.”
In an online plug Chilli Jam Man said: “We thought we had enough scary things on our stall at York … that was until Corrie serial killer John Stape joined us!
“He’s going to be working on our stall Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so if you’re brave enough to face his menacing stare then come along and say hello.
“He may even let you go home to your family afterwards…”
The career change is quite a fall for Graeme, who in his heyday was at the centre of some major storylines including killing three fellow cast members and kidnapping Rosie Webster.
Fan Attack
(Image: ITV)
The actor’s controversial storyline involving his character’s on-screen affair with a schoolgirl during his stint on Corrie led to a bizarre incident with a crazed viewer.
Graeme was allegedly accosted in a Manchester pub by a man ranting about his teacher character John Stape’s fling with Street temptress Rosie Webster.
As rumours began to swirl that he got into a physical altercation, the bemused actor said: ‘I have never been grabbed in a headlock by anyone.
(Image: ITV)
‘Occasionally people will make jokey comments about John – particularly throughout the Rosie storyline – but it is always in good humour and I have never felt threatened.’
He added: ‘It is true that I tend to avoid crowded bars etc – but that is as much to do with the fact that I am 36 and a dad, as the fact that I am a famous face!’ he said at the time.
‘I am happy to say that I have never found myself in a situation where I felt threatened.
‘John is the sort of character that does prompt reaction from people – but that is great, it means people are interested in what you are doing,’ he added.
Transformation
(Image: Graeme Hawley/Twitter)
Fans last saw Graeme after his dramatic soap exit in 2011 and more than a decade later, the star looks completely different compared to his Corrie days.
Taking to his slew of Twitter followers, Graeme updates fans regularly on his day-to-day antics and often includes cheeky snaps of himself.
The Manchester native looked completely different to the character John as he rocked specs and a checked shirt in a recent selfie.
(Image: Graeme Hawley/Twitter)
In 2019 Graeme shared a snap of himself rocking a quiff hairstyle and a parka coat, totally transforming his look.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
