Paula Wilcox arrived on Coronation Street as Tim Metcalfe's mum Elaine in 2020, but it wasn't her first time on the cobbles.
In fact, it was the fictional town of Weatherfield that gave the 72-year-old her first TV role way back in 1969. Paula played Janice Langton, the sister of Ray Langton, who arrived in Coronation Street when she ran away from her probation officer following a sentence for robbery with violence.
In the decades that followed, the star has paved a long and successful career as an actress, having launched herself into the spotlight in her 20s when she starred as Chrissy Plummer in Man About The House in the 70s. She became a household name almost instantly and went on to appear in a string of well-known TV shows and films.
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Despite her success on-screen, Paula has experienced enormous tragedy in her private life, the Daily Star reports. Her first husband died when she was just 29.
She was married to fellow actor Derek Seaton from 1969 until his death in 1979. Derek was producing a play at the National Youth Theatre – and they were married a year later, but despite his young age, Derek died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of just 35.
Speaking of the tragedy to The Telegraph in 2014, Paula said: "It was bloody young. I was thinking about this the other day, and I realised that at the time I had spent a third of my life with him. It was a shock. But I think with any kind of tragedy or setback – and you know, we've all had them – it's really [about] how you deal with it. Any tragedy, it becomes part of you. It becomes part of who you are."
Before his death, Derek Seaton had a very successful acting career of his own. He played Commander Hilred in the Doctor Who story The Deadly Assassin.
Fans many also remember him from his appearance in Coronation Street in June 1975 as crooked salesman Les Buckley. His character was a smooth-talking salesman who conned Mavis Riley when she was left in charge of The Kabin for several days while Rita Littlewood was away visiting friends.
Wilcox went on to marry Nelson "Skip" Riddle 12 years later in 1991. Skip himself has a claim to fame - the American businessman is the eldest son of the composer, bandleader and arranger Nelson Smock Riddle. Nelson worked with many world-famous vocalists at Capitol Records, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland and Dean Martin.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV and the ITV Hub
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