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STRICTLY beauty Tina O'Brien last night spoke for the first time about her heartache after splitting from Corrie co-star Ryan Thomas but admitted: "It was for the best."
Tina, 27, was devastated after their six-year relationship broke down - leaving her a single mum to baby daughter Scarlett.
In her first major interview since the split last year she confessed: "I had a tough time. It was difficult. It took a while but we're both happier for not being together any more."
The former soap star, who is now dating cameraman Nick Cox, 35, added: "It was the hardest time in my life but it's turned into a good life experience. Either you get better or you get bitter - and I would never have let myself do that.
"I will never say anything detrimental about Ryan. He's the father of my child, and I hold him in high regard.
"And we've got the best thing ever - Scarlett, who is just amazing.
"We are still good friends. I want Scarlett to grow up knowing she has two parents who love her so much and that she has got two wonderful homes which are full of love for her.
"I'd much rather have that than arguing!"
Tina is now taking to the dancefloor in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which launched last night.
It marks a fresh start following her split from Ryan in November. They started dating in 2003 after meeting on Corrie where Tina played gymslip mum Sarah Platt and Ryan was her builder hubby Jason Grimshaw.
ON RYAN: "We're still friends for Scarlett's sake"
Off screen, the pair became one of showbiz's golden couples. Tina left the soap in 2007 to pursue other acting projects - and within months announced she was expecting their first child. Scarlett was born the following October, but cracks soon started to show in their relationship.
She later told how they split after Ryan, 26, said he no longer fancied her. They had a string of bust-ups, and one ended with him arrested on suspicion of assault, though he was later released without charge.
Tina says they have put their differences aside for the sake of 22-month-old Scarlett and are now on good terms.
The pair live close to each other in Manchester and share parenting responsibilities.
Her return to happiness has been helped by her new relationship with Waterloo Road cameraman Nick Cox, 35, who she met on the set of the BBC1 drama earlier this year.
I can't wait for Strictly. I've not got two left feet but I'm a beginner.. I won't win
She beamed: "It's going really well and he is absolutely fantastic with Scarlett. I'm not going to answer whether he could he 'The One' but I'm very positive about our future. We are very happy."
Tina is also preparing to dazzle on Strictly, partnering new professional dancer Jared Murillo when the live shows start on October 1.
She said: "It's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to this. I love dancing but I am literally a beginner. A friend gave me some salsa pointers on a night out but that's it.
"I've not got two left feet but I've never ballroom danced before. But I've had a rehearsal and it's great fun.
"I'm going to try to pick it up quickly. Coming from a performance background will help me as I'll be telling a story in the form of dance, rather than acting.
"But I don't think I can win, I just want to get through the first week."
One thing Tina is looking forward to is the chance to get fit. She explained: "I can't wait to get toned up as I've never been a gym bunny.
"I think the costumes will put me into character and make me feel sexy.
SINGLE MUM: "It was a massive shock but I love it"
"If it hasn't got sequins on it and backcombed hair then it's not Strictly. "I often play characters where they down-play you a lot so I'm looking forward to having a bit of glamour."
But Tina is terrified about being criticised by the judges. "I'm most nervous about that," she shuddered. "It they're constructive I will take everything on board.
"But if they give me negative feedback but don't tell me how I can improve then I will be gutted about that.
"I don't think I would stand up to them if I thought I'd been unfairly judged. I'd probably just cry in my dressing room!"
Despite Strictly's reputation for celebs doing some nifty footwork with their pro partners OFF the dancefloor, loved-up Tina ruled out any romance.
She said: "I don't see that happening with me. It's a form of acting, but through dance. We'll have fun, but not that kind of fun!"
Besides, Tina's schedule is packed full. As well as Waterloo Road, she has starred in The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister with Maxine Peake and later this year will appear in new drama The Accused by BAFTA-winning Jimmy McGovern.
She hasn't ruled out returning to Corrie one day either. "I loved it and I would go back. They are like a big family," she grinned.
The actress balances her work schedule with being a single mum to Scarlett. It's not a role she relished after splitting from Ryan because she was worried that it carried a stigma.
ON NEW MAN: "Nick's fantastic.. it's going so well"
She said candidly: "It shows I was a bit snobbish. Being a single mum has certain negative connotations and it was never something I envisaged myself to be.
"I always imagined Scarlett would grow up with two parents like I did.
"So it was a massive shock when I realised this wasn't going to be the case.
"The hardest thing for me was worrying if I would be able to work and be a mum. There's never a perfect balance. You just have to hold your hands up and say, 'We'll deal with it.'"
Tina admits her life changed completely after Scarlett's arrival. "Now she's my number one priority," she said. "I do everything for her. Life revolves around her."
"But Scarlett's made me more determined to succeed in my career. Obviously, I'm very lucky to be working in a job I love. It makes me a better parent because Scarlett gets to see mummy doing something she enjoys."
Now she is settled and enjoying life again, Tina is ready for the challenge of Strictly.
She grinned: "I really do feel very happy. I had a hard time but I've moved through it. You either sink or swim and there's no point in sinking.
"I am so positive about everything again. It has taken a while, but it's been worth it."
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Rachel Leskovac has been reduced to a bundle of nerves - by the thought of singing!
The actress, who plays hairdresser Natasha Blakeman in Coronation Street, revealed she may be performing a tribute to iconic Rovers landlady Bet Lynch on the eagerly awaited Corrie: The Musical album, in celebration of the ITV soap's 50th anniversary.
But despite treading the stage boards in musical Spend Spend Spend in 1999, Rachel is anxious about her forthcoming turn.
"I did a show called Spend Spend Spend, which was my big break, but it's been a while since I've done anything. I'm nervous," she admitted.
"I'll be doing an homage to Bet Lynch - I'm going to be doing a couple of songs," she added.
The all-singing, all-dancing production of Corrie: The Musical is expected to launch in Manchester before heading to London for a further run. Composer Trisha Ward has been working on the music.
"Corrie: The Musical isn't happening until next year, but they are recording the album with some Corrie stars and other people to tie in the with 50th," Rachel revealed.
"There's a duet with Elsie Tanner, saying He's My Man, so they're fighting over a man. It's all brand new material from the musical. There are quite a few Corrie stars involved," she added.
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Playing his dad on screen was such a doddle for James Roache, that he didn't need to do any research.
The 24-year-old is the real-life son of Coronation Street legend William Roache, who plays stalwart Ken Barlow, whom he portrays in BBC Four's The Road To Coronation Street.
"I've been very committed, I've lived with the guy for 24 years, so that's my main commitment. I'm very lucky," he joked.
"The genes speak for themselves, so there was no need for much research. I got an idea of what he was feeling at the time, and it was useful having him around."
James was intent on putting his own spin on his dad.
"I just asked him this morning, I know how he is now, but I wondered if he was more confident and cocky when he was younger, but generally I wanted to keep it focused on my own thing, I wanted to get my own idea of it," he said.
The actor, who will also appear in Corrie as Ken's long-lost grandson, didn't want to do a straight-up imitation of his dad.
"I was originally going to but wanted to put aspects of what people would recognise from Ken Barlow really," he explained.
"At the same time, putting a bit of my father into it as well. I do a few of his mannerisms, he used his hands a lot," James added.
:: The Road To Coronation Street airs on BBC Four on September 16.
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Sue Cleaver has revealed that there will be "big repercussions" when Eileen Grimshaw has her revenge in Coronation Street.
Eileen is about to discover that Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) is really the object of Owen Armstrong's (Ian Puleston-Davies) affections.
"I just think she is a very bad judge of character," Cleaver told ITV's This Morning. "She is an independent woman. She's brought her kids up, she's not a pushover but for some reason when it comes to blokes - she really picks them."
She teased: "People are going to see a really, really different side to Eileen because she's going to... this guy is not all he seems, and she is going to be the worm that turned."
Despite being pressed for more details, the actress said that she did not want to spoil the plot, adding: "But she really is going to seek her revenge."
On how Eileen's revenge could affect Liz, she said: "I'm not sure where that is going to go with that bit.
"All I'll say is that there will be big repercussions, very big repercussions. "
Cleaver also revealed that she is not desperate for Eileen to be paired off with anyone as the appeal of the character is that she is a "free woman".
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Coronation Street stars Simon Gregson and Katherine Kelly are to pick up an award recognising half a century of soap success at an international television festival.
The long-running show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will get a special award at the Rose d'Or Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Wednesday.
The actors, who play husband and wife Steve and Becky McDonald, will be joined by executive producer Kieran Roberts to pick up the gong.
Festival director Rolf Probala said it was a unanimous decision to present the show with the Rose d'Or Golden Jubilee Award.
He said: "Over its entire run, the series has shown originality, creativity and innovation, all the qualities which are the foundation of our awards.
"A further testimony is that the programme, 50 years after its first transmission, is as popular as ever and is still a huge ratings hit in the UK.
"Furthermore, Coronation Street is regarded as the gold standard by other similar programmes outside Britain."
The first episode of the show was transmitted on Friday December 9 1960. Originally only 13 episodes were made but the response from viewers was so strong that it has kept going and, more than 7,400 episodes later, is still watched by millions.
The show has seen 88 weddings, 39 births, 114 deaths and 51 different barmaids pulling pints at the Rovers Return since it began.
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Bradley Walsh chose to be written out of Corrie four years ago, and left on a high, winning the Best Dramatic Performance award at the British Soap Awards.
But factory boss Danny Baldwin was not killed off, and now Bradley, 50, is thinking he wouldn't say no to reprising his role on the soap.
Bradley said: "If the time was right for them, and Danny Baldwin needs to go back and the time is right for me, where I've actually got some time to do it. Because you can't just go in and do one, two or three weeks, you have to really put your mind to it.
"The scripts come four months in advance, so the timing has to be absolutely right. It's a bit like the alignment of the moon and the stars to get it right.
"So if that came about somewhere later down the line, I would love to go back, of course. It was a fantastic show and a great character.
The Law and Order UK star was proud to be a part of the soap, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, calling it an "institution".
He enjoyed playing the part of Danny compared to his role of police officer Ronnie Brooks in Law and Order.
Bradley revealed: "I loved the character of Danny Baldwin, he was great. I really enjoyed playing him, and that's what's nice about playing someone like Ronnie Brooks, because when you've played Danny Baldwin, who is a bit of a Jack-the-lad, to play someone completely opposite is wonderful."
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You know I never really liked Steve McDonald when he was younger. Always thought he was a bit of a prat. But since he's been with Becky I've warmed to him. Becky and him are great together and I hope the writers don't go down the route of spliting them up anytime soon. We need a new Jack and Vera who will stick together through thick and thin and those two along with Roy and Hayley are the two best on-screen partnerships in soapland.
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Coronation Street creator Tony Warren reportedly planned to end the show after its initial 13 episodes in 1960.
According to The Sun, Warren had suggested that Weatherfield could be destroyed in an explosion in its final episode.
Daran Little, a former Corrie archivist and writer, revealed: "His vision was that, on the 13th episode, the street would blow up, or something like that, and it would end.
"But after the fourth episode it was obvious how much people liked it. They didn't know how long it would carry on, but he couldn't write it all."
He continued: "What he perhaps wasn't ready for was the idea of other writers working on what had been his baby. Tony, within two years, had left. I'm not sure why."
However, Warren is still involved with the ITV soap.
"I meet regularly with the producers to discuss the storylines, and I see everything before it goes out," he said. "When it comes to the show, I'm quite hands-on, without people realising it."
He added: "With all the 50th anniversary celebrations, I'm going to have a busy few months ahead."
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It's nice that Tony Warren is still involved to try and keep some of Corrie's original flavour. They manage it too, with the older characters like Ken, Rita and Norris.
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Antony Cotton and Katherine Kelly reportedly nearly missed the 50th anniversary celebrations for Coronation Street due to a delayed flight.
The pair made it to Weatherfield in time for the Rose d'Or Awards on behalf of the show but faced problems on their flight back home.
Cotton wrote on Twitter: "So we're finally back in Weatherfield. [Flight] on the way was delayed for over an hour because there was no crew. Of course there wasn't."
Kelly replied to her co-star: "Thanks for sorting the flights today love. You stepped up, as per."
Kelly also tweeted to Carol Vorderman, who she met at the awards.
She wrote: "Lovely to meet you - you looked a million dollars. That frock is a winner!"
Cotton and Kelly are now back on the Street in preparation for the anniversary.
Cotton wrote this morning: "Today is the day when Coronation Street hosts the world's press on the cobbles. It marks the beginning of the show's 50th Anniversary!"
The Sun
