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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Coronation Street's Simon Barlow actor's love life - dad at 17 and whirlwind engagement

Coronation Street's Alex Bain was just seven when he rocked up on the cobbles playing Simon Barlow - but now he's a father and engaged.

The actor, 20, has found himself at some of the soap's most exciting storylines, but he's also had a lot to celebrate in his personal life.

Alex's former partner Levi Selby gave birth to the couple's daughter Lydia Rose in December 2018, before she and Alex split in May 2019.

The Blackburn-born star was 17 when Lydia was born - shortly after he sat his GCSEs.

Speaking at the time about becoming a dad, Alex said: "I adore having a child, I really do, and I wouldn't have it any other way. But don't get me wrong, she runs me ragged!"

The little girl was born just before the nation went into lockdown, ahead of the Covid pandemic.

He met Mollie in 2019 (INSTAGRAM)

Recalling spending time with the tot, the Corrie star recalled: "It was quite nice to take a breather in lockdown, and have time to slow down and watch my daughter grow. She's actually just started nursery, which is pretty scary.

"My family has always said that I was exactly like she is when I was her age. Before Covid, she was going to dance classes as well, so she's really following in her dad's footsteps. She's always dancing and singing – it's great!," Alex told Inside Soap.

A year after their daughter was born, Levi and Alex split, with a source telling The Sun: "It's a shame they couldn't make the relationship work, but they've gone their separate ways.

"They're both now just trying to move on. but they absolutely adore their daughter."

However, fast-forward three years and Alex is now engaged to performer Mollie Lockwood.

The actor actually popped the question in October last year, but the couple managed to keep their sweet secret under wraps until now.

Alex was seven when he joined the soap (ITV)

After meeting in October 2019 when Mollie was auditioning for a performing arts college in the North West, Alex proposed during a romantic night out in Chester, where the couple were celebrating their two-year anniversary.

Despite admitting he was "bricking it", the Corrie star told OK! magazine he was "pretty certain" Mollie would say yes, with his beau adding she had an "inkling" the star would propose.

"I can't spend my life with anyone else", Alex gushed as he added that Mollie would make an "incredible mum" in the future.

The couple are now preparing to move in together before they get hitched, and are eyeing up 'a little house with a back garden in Chester'.

They've kept their relationship relatively private since meeting in 2019, but often share snaps of their date nights with fans online - including a gorgeous holiday snap.

Captioning the snap of the pair kissing in front of a moonlit sea, Mollie told her Instagram followers: "I just wanted to post some cute photos because I love him so much."

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