It has appeared today that despite playing a couple on ITV’s Coronation Street, gay actors Charlie Condou and Antony Cotton do not get on in real life.
The story first broke in Clemmie Moodie’s 3am column in the Daily Mirror, where she claimed that the show’s cast has been split by a rift between the two stars.
The Mirror also broke the story that despite reports to the contrary Condou has just been awarded a two-year contract with the soap.
Condou was due to appear with Cotton on Paddy McGuiness’ Show and Telly before Christmas, however his appearance was cancelled two days prior to filming when he was replaced by Chris Fountain. The official story is that the show was looking for a younger mix of guests, but it is suspected that the rift between the two stars is really to blame.
The news will come as a particular blow to the gay youth charity, the Albert Kennedy Trust, which counts both stars at Patrons. Condou was due to represent the trust during the show. Cotton and Fountain went on to win the £20,000 prize which went to The Terrence Higgins Trust and British Heart Foundation.
Fellow patron of the Albert Kennedy Trust and MD of Square Peg Media Linda Riley said: “I sincerely hope that any animosity between them is not reflected in the work they do together for The Albert Kennedy Trust, whose work is so vitally important.”
Condou joined the soap in 2007 as Marcus Dent, Cotton’s character Sean Tully’s boyfriend. After leaving the soap in 2008 he re-joined in 2011 where rumours of Coronation Streets first gay marriage began to materialise. However it is rumoured that this storyline failed as a reflection of the growing tension between the pair.
Condou has then gone on to a much more prominent role within the soap with a controversial storyline, while Cotton has been relegated to the background. Condou has also gone on to become a well-respected columnist in the Guardian and a leading advocate for LGBT families.
