Antony Cotton will be celebrating 20 years since his debut on Coronation Street next year, having first appeared in Weatherfield as his character Sean Tully back in 2003.
The actor, 47, has become a firm favourite with fans and critics alike, winning a number of accolades including a National Television Award for most popular newcomer.
His character has been involved in a number of high-profile storylines over the last two decades, from becoming homeless to fathering a child with a friend.
Corrie viewers may not know that much about Anthony's life off-screen though, including his family connection to the show and the charity work that he's done through his career.
Antony is in a relationship with Peter Eccleston, who is a prop buyer, having me on the set of the popular ITV soap. They're said to have been together since around 2005.
The actor opened up about the relationship to InsideSoap magazine in 2017, telling the outlet that they are an "incredible team".
"We are an incredible team and Peter brings out my best side. He is always looking out for me and protecting me when we're out, while I look after him at home," he said.
It isn't just Antony's partner who is connected to Corrie though, as his mother, Enid Dunn, has appeared on the show four times, with her latest role having been in 2014.
Her roles on the show having included playing the aunt of the late Dennis Stringer at his funeral and more recently Maureen Rothwell, the victim of an attempted mugging.
She was also in the one-off special The Road to Coronation Street as tea lady Agnes, who is credited with getting Corrie creator Tony Warren to reconsider the proposed name Florizel Street.
Enid has also appeared in projects like Cutting It, where she played Betty Pargetter, and Phoenix Nights, in which she played Joyce. Her more recent credits include The Bay.
Antony has yet another connection to the show through his partner's father, Keith, who reportedly works as a construction manager on the Corrie set at MediaCityUK.
The actor has played matchmaker with his co-stars on the show, having set up Kym Marsh and Jennie McAlpine with their respective husbands, as reported by the Daily Star.
And as reported by the Manchester Evening News, Antony - whose other credits include Queer as Folk - is involved with the charity sector alongside his career on TV.
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He's an ambassador the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), Veterans Garage and the Manchester United Foundation (MU Foundation).
Anthony is also a patron of for Heroes, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity (RMCH Charity) and Manchester Pride.
And he was even recognised earlier this year in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2022 with an MBE for his service to the British army, personnel and veterans.
The Dancing on Ice alum previously revealed to the Manchester Evening News that he stepped in to help a man who was homeless whilst he competed on the skating show.
Antony said that someone he knew, but whom he wasn't friends with, had messaged him on social media asking for help as he had been living in the stairway of a flat block.
The actor said he asked for assistance from charities Barnabus and Homes of Hope, adding that a home was found for the man shortly afterwards and he later found employment.
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