Faye Lewis
Brookes in 2019
Born
Faye Alicia Brookes

(1987-09-03) 3 September 1987 (age 36)
Stretford, Trafford, England
Education
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present
Television
SpouseIwan Lewis (m. 2023)

Faye Alicia Brookes (born 3 September 1987) is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Kate Connor on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. In 2021, she competed in the thirteenth series of Dancing on Ice, where she finished in second place.

Early life

Brookes was born on 3 September 1987[1] in Stretford, Trafford.[2] Whilst growing up, Brookes attended Flixton Junior School and Knutsford High School.[2] She then expressed an interest in musical theatre, initially studying performing arts at Pendleton College from 2004 onwards, before later attending Guildford School of Acting. She graduated in 2010, after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre and being awarded the Principal’s Choice Award.[3]

Career

Prior to appearing on television, Brookes starred in various theatre productions, including Grease, Shrek, Legally Blonde and The Sound of Music.[4] In mid-2015, it was announced that the Connor family in Coronation Street was being extended. The family first appeared in the street in 2006 and have featured in many storylines.[5] Brookes was cast as Kate Connor and after her on-screen brother Aidan Connor made his first appearance, played by The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, Brookes first appeared as Kate in October 2015. She won Best Newcomer for her portrayal of Kate in January 2017 at the 22nd National Television Awards. In April 2019, it was announced that Brookes had decided to leave Coronation Street. Her final scenes were to air later in 2019.[6]

On 24 September 2020, Brookes was announced as a contestant for the 2021 series of Dancing on Ice.[7] Brookes was originally partnered with Hamish Gaman; however, after he withdrew due to an injury in week 6, Brookes was re-partnered with Matt Evers.[8] She finished the competition in second place.[9]

In November 2021, it was announced that in 2022 Brookes would take over as Roxie Hart in the UK tour of the musical Chicago.[10]

Personal life

In 2012, while appearing in a production of Legally Blonde, Brookes met Gareth Gates, who was portraying the role of her character's boyfriend. The pair began a relationship, and became engaged. The pair split in 2018.[11] While together, the pair set up a stage school, Fates Academy.[12]

In August 2023, Brookes married Legally Blonde co-star Iwan Lewis.[13]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Atlantis Helena 1 episode
2014 Our Zoo Frankie 1 episode
2015–2019 Coronation Street Kate Connor Series regular; 433 episodes
2016 The Chase Herself Celebrity special
2018 Coronation Street's DNA Secrets Herself One-off documentary
2021 Dancing on Ice Herself Contestant
2022 Bridge of Lies Herself Celebrity Contestant

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2016 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Newcomer Nominated [14]
2016 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [15]
2017 22nd National Television Awards Newcomer Won [16]
2017 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Soap Relationship (shared with Bhavna Limbachia) Second [17]
2018 The British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated [18]
2018 Inside Soap Awards Best Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated [19]
2018 I Talk Telly Awards Best Soap Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated [20]

References

  1. ^ "Who is Dancing On Ice's Faye Brookes? Age, Coronation Street career and boyfriend revealed". Heart. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Urmston actress starring in Shrek the Musical". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Faye Brookes stars in award winning Legally Blonde". SurreyLive. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Dancing on Ice: DOI star Faye Brookes had an unusual request for Holly Willoughby's sister". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Coronation Street: Faye Brookes on newcomer Kate Connor - "There's rivalry between her and Aidan"". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  6. ^ McCreesh, Louise (30 April 2019). "Coronation Street star Faye Brookes announces shock exit for Kate Connor". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Meet Faye Brookes, Dancing on Ice 2021 contestant and Corrie star". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  8. ^ Earp, Catherine (16 February 2021). "Dancing on Ice professional Hamish Gaman withdraws from the show". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  9. ^ McManus, Samuel (14 March 2021). "Dancing On Ice 2021: Sonny Jay announced as winner in grand finale". OK!. Reach plc. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Chicago announces new tour cast for 2022 - WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Why did Dancing on Ice star Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates split?". Hello!. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Coronation Street star Faye Brookes confirmed for Dancing on Ice 2021". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Faye Brookes kisses new husband after marrying in stunning Cotswolds wedding". Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Tv Choice Awards 2016- The Longlist". digitalspy.co.uk. 17 May 2016.
  15. ^ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  16. ^ Harp, Justin (3 January 2017). "National Television Awards reveals its 2017 nominees. Check out the full rundown of each category". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  17. ^ Sandwell, Ian (29 December 2017). "Emmerdale almost achieves clean sweep at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2017". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  18. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (1 May 2018). "Coronation Street tops the British Soap Awards 2018 shortlist as the full nominations are revealed". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  19. ^ Davies, Megan (23 July 2018). "Inside Soap Awards 2018 full longlist revealed: Which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  20. ^ Gonzalez, Elliot (3 November 2018). "I TALK TELLY AWARDS Nominations 2018". I Talk Telly.

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