Alan Halsall was ever the proud parent as he took his daughter out for a special, Disney-inspired, night out in Manchester. The actor, who is best known for playing Tyrone Dobbs in the ITV soap, hit the red carpet with Sienna and his actress girlfriend.
The trio of Alan, eight-year-old Sienna, and Tisha Merry, were attending a performance of the incredible Beauty and the Beast which has hit the stage in the city. The musical, based on Disney's hit 1991 animated movie, started its nine-week run at Manchester's Palace Theatre on March 31.
They were among the Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars hitting the red carpet on Thursday night (April 6) for the Dinsey classic's official glitzy premiere where the star guest list were handed roses on arrival.
Alan, Sienna, and Tisha, who starred in Corrie as Steph Britton from 2013 to 2018, posed before sitting down to watch the show in front of a rose-filled wall - what else - with the family smiling widely for the awaiting cameras.
Speaking as he arrived at the event, Alan told us that their visit to see the show was a treat for his daughter, who he shares with Hollyoaks star Lucy-Jo Hudson, after an incredible school report.
"Sienna got an unbelievable school report from her teacher the other week," he said, absolutely beaming with pride. "It was so impressive so this is her surprise, her big treat."
The Walkden actor, who has appeared as Tyrone on the cobbles for more than two decades, was also quizzed as to whether he was a good singer like many of his co-stars, including Beth Sutherland actress Lisa George who wowed last week when she performed as Sally Bowles from Cabaret on ITV's All Star Musicals.
"No, not at all," he quickly confirmed. "Although I'm hairy enough to play the Beast, I could probably do that," Alan laughed. "But I don't think I'll get away with singing the songs."
This week viewers have seen Alan's on-screen character trying to hide his upset after ex-fiance Fiz Stape, played by Jennie McAlpine, packed up her belongings and made a move away from the street after 21 years to live with new boyfriend Phill Whittaker and her children Hope and Ruby.
However, on Wednesday night Tyrone opened up to Fiz about not wanting to be a 'weekend dad' and how he was worried he'd soon be replaced by Phill which appeared to strike a nerve with his former partner who has also felt emotional about the move.
"I mean there's always exciting stuff coming up in Corrie," Alan said when asked to tease what's coming up for fans of the drama in Weatherfield. "It's every week isn't it?" he laughed.
"Right not it's not really exciting for Tyrone with what's going on with Fiz so I think there's still lots to go on there between Tyrone and Fiz and will history repeat itself. Who knows, right now it's not great for him," Alan added.
What we do know is that the pair will soon be reunited at Fiz's new gaffe when her daughter Hope causes havoc in a mini digger, smashing up her new step-dad's car.
But even after all these years, Alan is still loving life on the famous street. "I absolutely love it," he said. "I don't wan't to [leave]. I've been there a long, long time. I was talking about that... it's 24 years going on now."
Alan wasn't impressed that our very own Manchester Evening News' lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne didn't tell him he 'didn't look old enough' to have been acting on the Salford-based soap for that long. But it's fair to say Alan is still a soap pin up for many of Corrie's fans and he has recently been sharing his fitness journey on social media.
The 38-year-old has been heading to the gym and recently shared a sweaty workout mirror selfie and commented: "In between scenes today," before adding: "No excuses."
