Coronation Street star Tina O'Brien has had shocked friends and fans telling her she 'looks 13' as she revealed her upcoming age milestone. The actress is best known for playing Sarah Barlow - nee Platt - in the ITV soap.
The character was originally portrayed by then-babies Leah King and Lynsay King in 1987 when Sarah was born to Gail Platt and Brian Tilsely. Sarah and her older brother Nick were later adopted by Martin Platt when he married Gail in 1991.
Lynsay was kept in the role until Sarah turned 12 on-screen in 1999 which is then when Tina, then 16, joined the cast. And over the years she has faced a whole host of hard-hitting storylines from giving birth to her first child, Bethany, at 13 and being kidnapped alongside her family by her psychotic stepfather Richard Hillman to suffering child loss when her son, Billy, died shortly after his birth to being attacked by Callum Logan and witnessing him be killed by sister-in-law Kylie.
Sarah's long stint in Weatherfield has meant that viewers have also seen Tina grow up on-screen, despite a seven-year break from Corrie from 2008 to 2015, and seen her personal life change from welcoming her first child, Scarlett, with former co-star Ryan Thomas, to getting married to husband Adam Crofts and welcoming her second child.
And it won't be long until fans will see Tina celebrate another milestone- turning 40! The actress, from Rusholme, shared some new headshots of herself whiched showed off her natural and ageless beauty.
"I'm turning 40 this year," she started the caption of her post. "Decided its time to update my seriously outdated headshots for Spotlight. A massive thank you to @neilson_photo_actors I’m absolutely over the moon with them.
"I was quite nervous going to the shoot, it’s been quite a time since I’ve done anything like this. Colin is such a lovely, warm, chatty guy. He put me at ease the second I met him, genuinely feel like I’ve known him for years!!"
Tina then clarified: "This isn’t an advert I’m just super pleased. Thank you so much Colin you really understand what an actor is looking for in their headshot and I just think your lighting is heaven."
And it wasn't long before the mum-of-two was being flooded with compliments from her co-stars, friends and fans with many in disbelief over her age. Former Corrie star Brooke Vincent said: "Still look 21," while Catherine Tyldesley wrote: "Babe!!! 40?!?! You still look 13!!! [crying laughing emojis] gorgeous xxxxx."
Jane Danson, who plays Leanne Battersby in the ITV soap said: "Absolutely gorgeous T . Maybe its time i did mine! Im 45 this year and mine are a 23 year old me in black and white." Shona Platt actress Julia Goulding commented: "Fabulous T. So beautiful."
@xotina.obrienox posted: "Tina you don’t look 40 at all you look so young." @kr_kirkby85 shared: "Yet you haven't aged one bit!! Was watching Corrie the other night and said to my Mum, "Sarah doesn't bloody age!!" Haha. You're older than me @tinaob83 yet look like you're in your 20's!!!"
@__strawberry__sparkles___ replied: "Currently watching old eps of Corrie from approx 20 years ago and you’ve barely aged!" @carlsko typed: "Any danger you start to look even close to your age at some point orrrrr??? Lol Gorgeous as ever." @ezachley123 quipped: "Gonna need to check your birth certificate there's absolutely no way your 40." @drlizandrewmenopause asked: "40 Tina??!?? Are you sure?" @kelly.budden added: "Seriously? What is your secret?! You do not age!!! Looking Fab!"
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