Faye Brookes has joined the star-studded line-up of Dancing on Ice 2021.
The actress will skate alongside celebrities including Denise van Outen, Jason Donovan, Colin Jackson, Graham Bell, Sonny Jay, Joe-Warren Plant and Myleene Klass.
Read more: Dancing On Ice: Bosses ‘broke bank to secure best celebrities to outdo Strictly Come Dancing’
She starred in Coronation Street as Kate Connor from 2015 to 2019.
But what else should we know?
Who is Faye Brookes?
Faye is best known for playing Kate Connor in Coronation Street.
She starred as Frankie in Our Zoo prior to that.
Why did Faye Brookes leave Corrie?
Faye Brookes announced she was leaving the ITV soap in May of 2019.
She said on an online post: “Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after four fabulous years in Weatherfield it’s time for me to explore new opportunities.
“I’ve loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I’m off to pastures new.”
She shocked fans with the news, having only recently sworn NOT to leave the soap.
Faye admitted that playing Kate was demanding.
She said: “It’s been very draining. I want to leave all that at the door, let go of it and go home. But I end up going home and mulling it over, and I’m just glad that I have a good support system.
“I have people who will tell me when I’m being a drama queen and to pull my socks up and shake it off.”
Read more: Faye Brookes looks more loved up than ever with boyfriend Joe as she reveals relationship ‘test’
What else has Faye Brookes been in?
Faye appeared in a production of Legally Blonde, and played Princess Fiona in the touring version of Shrek the Musical.
She played a small part in the BBC’s short-lived adventure series Atlantis, before joining Corrie.
Faye Brookes played the lead role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Birmingham Hippodrome at Christmas 2019.
Did Faye Brookes marry Gareth Gates?
Faye met the former Pop Idol star in 2012 when they played on-stage lovers in the touring version of Legally Blonde.
There was an instant attraction and she credited him for helping her to take life less seriously, at a time when she wasn’t enjoying her job.
She said: “Gareth stepped in and showed me that I needed to poke fun at myself, which I don’t do often enough. I can be very sensitive.
“He was that person who showed me how to do that. That boy has his head screwed on, and I don’t know how he’s so grounded and humble and so grateful for the work that he’s still getting.”
Faye dated Gareth for more than six years but they broke up several times.
The couple announced their engagement in January 2019, with Faye admitting the split had made them stronger.
She said: “It’s a very intense love, [like] nothing I’ve ever felt, and I don’t want that to go away. So I’m not letting it go.”
Faye and Gareth split up in 2019 and never got married after all.
Does Faye Brookes have a boyfriend?
Faye started dating just months after the split with Gareth.
She was spotted on the arm of new beau Joe Davies, a personal trainer, in November of 2019.
Was Faye the victim of a sex tape leak?
Faye was devastated when an explicit sex tape was leaked online by hackers, who had stolen it from her phone and uploaded it on to adult site PornHub.
Her fiancé Gareth stood by her, although it is unknown if Gareth was the male in the clip.
Was Faye rumoured to be in I’m A Celebrity?
Faye has been linked to I’m a Celebrity.
She reveals she was approached for last year’s series but turned it down.
Can Faye skate?
Faye is a trained dancer, but is not confident on the ice.
She has been seeking advice from her former Corrie co-stars Brooke Vincent and Jane Danson, who have both appeared on the ice show.
Faye told Lorraine Kelly on her ITV morning show: “As soon as this interview is over I can contact them but I’ve obviously had to keep this to myself.
“I saw Brooke yesterday and I was desperate to tell her but I thought one more day and I’ll be able to. She’ll be my first text message after I’ve finished this interview.”
Does Faye suffer from anxiety?
Faye has battled anxiety on a daily basis over the years.
She says: “There’s a constant pressure in this day and age with social media to be perfect. And I’m a perfectionist, so naturally I’m going to put that pressure on myself.
“I’ve been physically sick with stress and work. Just recently I’ve been retching between scenes.”
Faye finds solace in the gym.
Dancing on Ice returns early next year on ITV.
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