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Privacy NoticeFive years after his departure from Coronation Street, Shayne Ward, who played Aidan Connor, is taking to the Strictly dancefloor – the first live show begins on Saturday, 21 September on BBC One. It comes after he swapped the cobbles for a cruise liner, solving crimes on Channel 5’s The Good Ship Murder. But what has Shayne been up to during his time away from our screens? Let’s delve into his life off screen, including his relationship with a fellow soap star. Shayne was born and raised in Tameside, Greater Manchester, on 16 October 1984, the son of two Irish Travellers who had settled in England. He attended St. Peter’s RC High School in Manchester, where he first discovered his love of performing.
Shayne is back on TV
(Image: Ray Burmiston/PA Wire)
Shayne last starred in The Good Ship Murder
(Image: Channel 5)
This passion led him to appear on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. At just 18 years old, Shayne made it to the final 30 contestants on Popstars: The Rivals, but sadly missed out on becoming a member of One True Voice. Music career Despite coming so close to his dream, Shayne didn’t give up on his music career and took another shot at fame when he auditioned for The X Factor three years later. Shayne quickly impressed the judges and progressed through each stage of the competition under the guidance of Louis Walsh, who mentored him throughout – before finally clinching victory in December 2005! His debut single was an original song titled ‘That’s My Goal’, which received widespread acclaim from music critics and fans alike. This song truly launched his music career, with several albums following over the next few years including ‘Shayne Ward’, ‘Breathless’ and ‘Obsession’.
Shayne became famous on The X Factor
As his solo career took off, Shayne was even considered as a potential member of the famous 90’s band, Take That. This surprising revelation came in 2006, when Gary Barlow disclosed in his autobiography that Shayne had been seriously considered as a potential replacement for Jason Orange, prior to the star’s departure from the band. However, Jason chose not to leave at that point, meaning Shayne wasn’t required to step in – but it was certainly a lovely endorsement to receive such high praise from pop superstar Gary! Coronation Street role Despite his music career going from strength to strength, Shayne decided to try his hand at a different kind of performance in 2015 when he joined ITV soap Coronation Street as Aidan Connor, a distant cousin of Michelle Connor, played by Kym Marsh. Making his official debut on the cobbles in August 2015, Aidan quickly became a firm fan favourite and even bagged a 2016 National Television Award and 2016 Inside Soap Award for Best Newcomer.
In 2015 Shayne swapped his glamorous pop career for a stint on Coronation Street
(Image: ITV)
Originally, Aidan was only supposed to be a character on the soap for one year, but he proved to be so popular with audiences that Shayne’s contract was extended for an additional two years. Aidan was often at the centre of several gripping storylines, including a tense love triangle between Adam Barlow, Eva Price and himself. However, his soap career came to an end in 2018, when Shayne announced he would be leaving the show as part of a heartbreaking suicide storyline. His final scenes aired on 10 August 2018. Dramatic weight loss While on Corrie, Shayne confessed to The Mirror that he had piled on the pounds due to the irresistible canteen food at Granada studios.
Shayne started his life in Tameside, Greater Manchester
(Image: Instagram)
He gained a staggering three stone (42lbs) and decided it was time for a change. In his last few months on the show, he appeared noticeably slimmer after altering his diet and exercise routine. Life after the cobbles Since departing from Weatherfield, Shayne has kept busy with various acting gigs, including the lead role in psychological thriller, The Ascent and 2020 movie G-Loc. He’s also gone back to his musical roots, releasing a compilation of his previous works in the December 2022 album Anthology. Shayne has hinted at a new album in the works, promising a country-pop vibe. Soap star fiancée While his character Aidan’s love life was a rollercoaster on Coronation Street, Shayne’s own love story is much less tumultuous. He’s engaged former Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin. Sophie, famed for her role as Lindsey Butterfield in the soap, started dating Shayne in 2016. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Willow May, the same year.
Shayne Ward’s daughter looks just like his fiancée Sophie Austin in a sweet family snap
(Image: shaynetward/Instagram)
They’ve since added to their family with a son, Reign Thomas Austin Ward, born in June 2022. The pair originally believed they were set to welcome a second daughter, but are now “overjoyed and blessed” by the surprise arrival of a baby boy.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnShayne WardSophie AustinCoronation StreetHollyoaksTake ThatThe X FactorStrictly Come Dancing
