Corrie’s Aidan: Why he’s such a bad boy
In the space of just two years, Shayne Ward’s life has completely changed. The X Factor winner has gone from a young, free and single pop star to Coronation Street’s factory boss Aidan Connor, dad to sixmonth-old Willow May and is loved-up with actress So
On his daughter ‘I’ll get up and do half the night feeds’
Hi Shayne, has being a dad changed you in any way?
I love it. It just shows you that your actual purpose in life is basically to make babies and have a beautiful life with them. Willow May is wonderful. She’s lovely and a very beautiful and content baby. She already twists me round her little finger – she knows what she’s doing!
With your heartthrob past, do you get chatted up a lot?
It might have happened when I first came in to Coronation Street, but with all the young ’uns that have come in since then I feel like an old ’un, even though I’m only 32! I’ll get a wink from an older woman now and then, but I don’t really get chatted up and if I do, I shout it from the rooftops that I’m in a beautiful and loving relationship.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
When I met Sophie I wasn’t looking for anybody. I was focused on my work and then I met her and just instantly fell in love. You can’t deny that when it happens. You don’t want to kick yourself and think, ‘What if?’
Do you miss your pop star days?
Definitely. It was a fun time and I’d like to return to singing – not leaving Corrie but maybe releasing something. I’ve definitely got the drive and I’d love to record an EP in the next year or so.
Aidan’s such a bad boy – can you defend him?
I can’t any more, no! When the affair with Maria first started he was confused, that’s how I saw it. He’s in love with two women, but he can’t justify his actions, absolutely not. He knows what he’s doing and he could easily have walked away.
Are you worried about getting bashed over the head by angry old ladies in the street?
I was at a charity football match recently and a little boy asked me to sign his football. As I was signing it he said, ‘Stop cheating on Eva, cause she’s fit!’ He was only 10! And I get a lot of mums and nanas saying, ‘Ooh, I’m not happy with you, Aidan!’
Why has Aidan finally decided to tell Eva that their relationship is over? He’s a bit of a coward and he’d rather have his cake and eat it, but Maria has pressured him into telling Eva that they’ve been sleeping together. He’s nervous and has tried several times to get her back to the flat on her own to tell her, but things keep cropping up. When he does sit her down, he’s left reeling, because she has a bombshell of her own.
Catherine Tyldesley does a lot of boxing. Now Eva has discovered the affair, might you be in for a bit of a pummelling? Yes, Cath is pretty hench to be honest! She’s always training and her fella’s a PT, so she’s in great condition. I know if it comes to blows, it will be a fun one to watch – but I’m trying to avoid it!
Tell us about the funny videos that you and Catherine make together? We’re dead relaxed around each other and are always joking about, and we’ve started re-enacting famous movie scenes and putting them on Instagram. We’ve done Dirty Dancing and Aladdin, and the latest one was the pottery scene from Ghost. It was so funny because it ended up looking rude, but it wasn’t meant to. Cath sent it to her husband Tom and I sent it to Sophie and they completely laughed their heads off – they think we’ve both got a screw loose!
How do you prepare for topless scenes? I did one the other day in my boxers. Normally you’re told in advance, so if I’ve got a scene like that coming up I’ll try to be a bit healthier. But I’ve never been into six packs – I enjoy my food too much – so mainly I just hope the camera gets me at a good angle!
How do you stay in shape then? I do press-ups. I did some last night. The missus said, ‘What are you doing?’ The baby was asleep and Sophie was in bed reading on her Kindle and she could just see my head bobbing up and down at the end of the bed! I don’t have much time to go to the gym, now I have a baby.
If you have a day to yourself, how do you like to spend it? With Willow May. I’m off tomorrow and I get to spend the whole day with her by myself. I like to take her for a walk, but I always seem to walk past a tea room. My downfall is sweets and cakes!
How are you coping with the sleepless nights? I don’t mind, I love it to be honest. I’m very blessed to have a child and I’m not as tired as Sophie, she’s incredible. I’ll get up and do half of the night feeds, but she has the baby for the full day, which is very tiring.
After two years on the cobbles, do you feel settled? Definitely. It was scary at first and I’m still learning, but I absolutely love it. I’ve had a great reception