Coronation Street star Kate Ford has played Weatherfield killer Tracy Barlow on the ITV soap since 2002, but away from the famous cobbles her life has been far from easy

Kate Ford, who Coronation Street fans adore as the fiery Tracy Barlow, has been at the heart of some of the ITV soap’s most gripping plots, from extorting Roy Cropper to serving time for the murder of her lover Charlie Stubbs.

Despite her character’s sinister deeds, the actress previously confessed she doesn’t see Tracy as wicked. In a candid chat with The Mirror back in 2015, she explained: “I think she’s a sociopath really, she doesn’t have the empathy that most people have,” adding, “But we do see the human side of her, I don’t think the character would have lasted so long if she was just a baddie. People wouldn’t believe her. She’s never boring, I’m really lucky.”

While die-hard fans feel like they’ve grown up with Tracy, witnessing her tumultuous life unfold on their screens for over two decades, Kate’s real life is a stark contrast to her on-screen persona.

The TV star hails from Salford and spent her school years between Cumbria and Lancashire before honing her craft at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Her first gig was in the music video for The Beatles’ “Free as a Bird” in 1995, followed by a guest appearance in an EastEnders special featuring Ricky Butcher and Bianca Jackson.

Eventually, she stepped into Tracy’s shoes, marking herself as the fourth actress to take on the role, reports the Mirror. Kate is rumoured to have had a brief fling with BAFTA-nominee Bart Ruspoli, who also made an appearance on EastEnders, back in 2000. Although their romance was short-lived, Ruspoli’s current wife took to sharing a throwback photo from 1997 featuring the pair.

She shared her delight at the nostalgic gesture on social media, commenting: “I love this! ! When your ex’s wife posts a celebratory photo of you and her husband (I love them both) from 1997 you realise how life can (sometimes) come full circle in gorgeous ways you at one point, couldn’t imagine xx.”

The soap siren later married TV producer Jon Connerty in 2007, and they welcomed their son Otis James the following year. However, their marriage ended in divorce by 2013. At the time of their split, Ford described the experience as “incredibly painful”, and in a candid chat with The Sun, she expressed: “We really tried hard to make it work. But it came to the point when we knew we had to get a divorce. Things had changed and it wasn’t what it was. But it was incredibly painful. For a while after we split, I found it hard to get out of bed.”

Post-divorce, Kate has maintained a low profile regarding her romantic life. However, she has been candid about her battle with endometriosis, a condition that can cause significant pain and affect various reproductive organs. Despite the challenges it brings, Kate is determined to use her platform to support others dealing with similar issues.

She previously took to Instagram to share an insight into her life on set, posting a selfie in a red jacket adorned with a Corrie badge. Her caption read: “Filming #itvcorrie this was a few weeks ago at a time that I was struggling with my #endometriosis, luckily got lots of support. Just sending a hug out to all those struggling with similar.”

The post drew supportive comments from her co-stars at the time, including Shobna Gulati who commented “You are so strong xxx and beautiful” and Samia Longchambon who sent a heart and hug emoji.

Kate isn’t just surrounded by support on set; she also has close ties with celebrities like Loose Women’s Kate Thornton, who happens to be her neighbour. Ford shared how they celebrated Christmas together, with Thornton going all out on the festive feast. They share a tight-knit bond, with their sons being great mates and their families frequently visiting each other’s homes.

Fans recently watched Tracy leave Weatherfield during Monday’s (September 16) episode just weeks after returning from Spain following a row with her new lover Tommy Orpington.

Her ex-husband Steve McDonald drove her to the airport, as she said farewell to Amy and dad Ken Barlow. She also encouraged Steve to move on with newcomer Cassie Plummer, before exiting the street. It’s believed Kate is only taking another temporary break just like earlier this year, ahead of a return. It’s been reported that a full-time comeback is planned for next year if not at least a longer return.

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX