Alan Halsall “I Want To Play Tyrone In His 60s!”
After 23 years playing Corrie’s cheery chappie, actor Alan Halsall has no plans to move on
He was a fresh-faced schoolboy when he first joined Coronation Street and if Alan Halsall has his way he’ll still be ordering a pint and a hotpot in the bar of the Rovers Return when he’s old and grey.
Alan, who joined the show in 1998 when he was 16, says he has no desire to try his luck elsewhere and would happily still be playing the cheery mechanic when he’s in his 70s.
He explains, “I appreciate every year I’m here and the more milestones I can tick off the better – 25 years, 30 years.
“I remember feeling privileged when I got to 20 years, it felt like such an achievement.
I’d love to grow old in the show. With Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) they have a history of a character that has been there for 60 years and I’d love to be a part of that.
“People have invested 23 years into Tyrone, as have I, and I would love to see that progression and see what he is like in his 60s and 70s.
“I’m good friends with Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) and when we get new contracts we always have a drink and celebrate, because we don’t take it for granted.”
As down-to-earth as his character, Alan, 38, credits the legendary Bill Tarmey and Liz Dawn who played Jack and Vera Duckworth, for helping keep his feet on the ground. Soon after he joined as Tyrone Dobbs, his character moved in with the couple.
“They were fantastic mentors for somebody of my age,” he recalls. “I was joining the nation’s biggest show. They helped me deal with it and I learned from them on set and also outside of work.
“They taught me how to stay grounded. Bill was a real stickler for being oon ttime and he’d always tell me to be respectful to everybody. That’s stood me in good stead throughout the years.”
Although just as friendly and easy-going in real-life as his street character, Alan’s own home life is thankfully far less troubled than Tyrone’s.
While Alan is happily settled with his girlfriend of two years – Tisha Merry, who played bistro waitress and supervisor Steph Britton in the show – viewers are still reeling with shock after Tyrone walked out on long-term girlfriend Fiz Stape and moved in with his new girlfriend, Alina Pop, played by Ruxandra Porojnicu.
Alan admits that there is however one area where he and his on-screen alter ego are very much alike – both are besotted dads who would do absolutely anything for their daughters. In Alan’s case he confesses his little girl Sienna has him completely wrapped round her little finger.
“Tyrone is a devoted family man. First and foremost in his mind are his children and I
“I’d love to grow old in the show. With Bill Roache they have a 60-year history”
identify with that 100 per cent,” Alan smiles. “There’s no greater feeling in life.”
Alan, who lives with Tisha in Manchester, shares Sienna, seven, with his ex-wife Lucy-Jo Hudson, who played Katy Harris in the show.
He says, “Sienna is so much fun and so loving. She fills my life with smiles every day, but there’s no getting away from the fact that she wraps me round her little finger. It’s slightly embarrassing at times, because I think she probably knows! But I can’t help myself. I find it hard to say no to her – she’s my little princess!”
While Tyrone does his best to keep his daughters Ruby and Hope happy, girlfriend Alina is now pregnant. To add to his woes Fiz is enjoying the company of furniture shop customer Phill, who has invited her out on a second date. Struggling with jealousy, Tyrone this week ends up taking a drunken swing at
Fiz’s new man.
“Tyrone saw Alina as an exciting new life and a way out of the rut he was in, but she’s now pregnant, so he wonders if he’s swapped one life for the same life,” Alan explains.
“He doesn’t take it well that Fiz is moving on – the green-eyed monster is there – and he makes a drunken fool of himself!”
DURING LOCKDOWN I STARTED RIDING MY BIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE, I COULD NEVER REALLY FIND THE TIME BEFORE… SO THAT’S BEEN GOOD. AND ACTUALLY, THIS MIGHT SOUND ODD, BUT I’M ENJOYING CLEANING MY HOUSE MORE NOW TOO!