Inside Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien’s life off screen – from explosive split with co-star to chic Manchester home
SARAH Platt is one of Coronation Street’s most popular characters having featured in a range of explosive storyline across her many years on the show.
It’s actress Tina O’Brien, 40, that has brought the character to life over the years with her getting her teeth stuck into a variety of gritty and hard-hitting storylines.
Sarah shocked the world back in 2000 when she discovered she was expecting a baby, Bethany, at just 13 years old.
Since then she has gone on to wreak havoc within the Platt household, embark on a relationship with Callum Logan that culminated in her being involved in his death and its cover-up as well as a mental health battle.
But away from the cobbles, Tina’s life has seen its own fair share of highs and lows.
The glam soap star has seen heartbreak in real life with her co-star before finally going onto find the one as well as bagging a swanky home in the process.
Tina’s glam Manchester pad
When she’s not on set in her flat at Victoria Court or chilling out at the Platt family home, Tina relaxes in her stunning Manchester home.
Tina shares her home with husband Adam Crofts, 37, their son Beau, eight, and daughter Scarlett, 14, who she co-parents with ex Ryan Thomas.
The beauty’s three-storey pad is up to show home standards with tasteful decor and lots of trendy features throughout.
She regularly gives fans a sneak peek inside via her Instagram page.
Her kitchen has a “cosy corner”, which is arguably one of the coolest spots in the property.
The space has a comfy blue sofa placed up against the white wall and a neon pink sign that says “cuddles in the kitchen”.
There is also a selection of house plants placed on the window above the seating area and a tripod floor lamp placed in the corner of the room.
Tina, Adam, Beau, Scarlett and the pooches can also cosy up together and watch their favourite programmes on their huge flat screen TV.
It overlooks the rest of the kitchen area, which has white cupboards, matching shiny worktops and emerald green tiling.
Messy split from Ryan Thomas
It seemed like a match made in heaven when two of soap’s hottest stars got together in real life.
Tina dated her former co-star Ryan Thomas between 2003 and 2009 and during that time had their daughter, Waterloo Road star Scarlett.
However it is fair to say that things have been less than amicable since the pair went their separate ways.
Even just this year, Tina appeared to lash out at her former lover on Instagram with a shady post.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Tina had taken a savage swipe at her ex-boyfriend Ryan Thomas in a furious Instagram post – after they had a blazing row.
In the now deleted post, Sarah Platt actress Tina, 40, shared a quote about ‘tyrannical narcissistic fathers’.
The quote defined the negative personality trait as “a bully – a cruel, lying arrogant person. He is a tyrant that is totally entrenched in his grandiose world and insistent that everyone follow his commands.
“He is emotionally abusive and can cause significant emotional damage to all family members. Unfortunately, his behaviours cause the relationships within a family to be toxic and can cause lifelong wounds.”
Then in her own words, she added: “Thankfully not my dad… but a dad that I know very well… deeply resonates.”
The Sun can reveal that the cutting post came after a blistering row between the exes over the telephone.
A source told us: “Tina had a blazing row with Ryan over the phone about their daughter – which ended with her hanging up. They rarely speak these days because they do tend to clash.”
Furious late night rows
It isn’t the first time that Tina has expressed her anger toward former partner Ryan.
Last year, she was accused of smashing up the star’s car with a baseball bat in a 1am row.
A wing mirror of Ryan’s Range Rover was smashed off and the paintwork scratched during the bust-up. He has accused Tina of causing the damage.
One source said: “Ryan and Tina have a fractious relationship. They are not on good terms and that tension boiled over.
“Tina, who was at a pal’s house party, came out into the street to meet him as he drove up. Soon after that his car was damaged with the baseball bat.
“It was quite a disturbing incident and Ryan drove away as soon as he could. They’ve not spoken since and Ryan is furious.”
Finding love again
When things didn’t work out with Ryan, Tina eventually managed to find love once again – all thanks to her daughter!
The stunning blonde is now happily married to Adam Crofts after they met in a coffee shop.
Speaking about the chance encounter to OK! Magazine, the star confessed: “He was working on his computer and Scarlett went over and said: Hello, man’. He told us his name was Adam and we got talking.”
Now proud parents to their son, Beau, the pair enjoyed a wedding on New year’s Eve 2018 at swanky Manchester venue King’s Street Townhouse.
Tina regularly declares her love for Adam and shared a gushing post online earlier this year which read: “I love this incredible human so much, Mr Adam Crofts. It’s not his birthday or our wedding anniversary. Just cos.”
Soap best friends
Tina enjoys a close friendship with many of her co-stars and particularly with her on-screen daughter, Lucy Fallon.
The actors were seen sharing a giggle as they struggled to get into their cabs after the Inside Soap Awards recently.
Lucy, 27, who confirmed her return as Bethany Platt, was spotted embracing Tina outside the venue.
She previously starred in Corrie from 2015 to 2020 and has stayed close to Tina, 40 — her on-screen mum Sarah Platt.
Looking very merry, the pair snuggled up in their glam frocks before new mum Lucy tried to get into her cab.
Tina’s ‘real age’
Earlier this year, Tina shocked fans as they discovered she was actually 40 years old.
Tina shared some clips on Instagram of her throwing saucy dance moves on a podium at her star-studded 40th bash before cosying up to husband Adam Croft. She captioned the post: “Hello 40.”
The Sarah Platt actress’s age caught some followers by surprise, with many adamant the ITV veteran must be younger.
One commented: “You don’t age!!! Happiest of birthdays to you!”
A second posted: “40? More like 25.”