Faye Brookes is best known for her time on the legendary soap, Coronation Street. The star first appeared on the cobbles as barmaid and restaurant manager Kate Connor in 2015 - when ITV bosses chose to extend the Connor clan.
The 34-year-old, from Stretford, went on to win Best Newcomer for her portrayal of Kate in 2017 at the National Television Awards. But two years later, the actress chose to leave Corrie behind.
Faye started out in musical theatre before TV, which is where she met her ex-fiancé, Gareth Gates, of Pop Idol fame. Here is a look at her life off-screen.
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Before her time on Coronation Street, Faye had various roles in theatre productions, including Grease and The Sound of Music. While she appeared as lead Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical in 2012, she met singer Gareth Gates, who played the role of her character's boyfriend.
At the time, the Pop Idol runner-up had announced he had split from his wife after 'growing apart'. Then just 10 months later, Gareth and Faye made their first public appearance together as a couple.
"From the moment I met him he was writing songs for me... it’s beautiful," she told the Manchester Evening News in October 2015. Faye claimed their relationship was 'like no other' and said she needed to keep them 'well-protected'.
The keen performers set up their own stage school together - Fates Academy - at the University Technical College (UTC) at MediaCityUK in 2017. The relationship then hit a rocky patch the following year when they split for the first time, with Gareth explaining they were "choosing to take some time apart" while remaining "best friends".
Just months later they got back together and quickly took their relationship to the next level in January 2019 when Gareth proposed to Faye, reports the Mirror. However, it did not last as the couple called it off a few months later.
Now, Faye, who took part in the 2021 series of Dancing On Ice, is loved-up with her beau, personal trainer Joe Davies. They went public with their romance in December 2019 and are currently renovating a period property together - updating followers with their progress to a dedicated Instagram account.
She has publicly shared her admiration for the Barry's Bootcamp PT on her social accounts, and on their first anniversary wrote to Instagram: "I honestly believe I'm a better person just being near you my love. Thank you for loving me that way you do."
Just weeks ago, the couple sparked secret wedding rumours after eagle-eyed fans believed they spotted Faye wearing a wedding ring. The actress uploaded a series of snaps of the pair enjoying a luxury yacht whilst on holiday, reports Daily Star.
While no longer on TV, Faye is still acting, and is currently playing the iconic role of Roxie Hart in the Chicago UK tour. She recently opened up about a troubling time, describing three 'lifequakes'.
She explained: "Lifequake. Definition; An event that suddenly changes your life – a car accident, a terrible illness, or losing a loved one – in the same dramatic way that an earthquake might destroy a building.
"Well … here’s the truth of it all. I have faced around three Lifequakes in less than three months and apparently it takes a good 6 months to get over just one…
"You never know what people are going through...So for anyone who is going through some sort of struggle, a difficult time, feeling like their climbing a constant uphill battle… Give yourself time. Allow yourself to feel, Know that it will be okay.
"It might not be right now. But it will be. Eventually." And she signed off by saying: "Until then, be kind, give others grace, have faith and stay true to you."
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