Coronation Street Tracy Barlow actress’ real-life fling with co-star before shock split
Coronation Street Tracy Barlow actress’ real-life fling with co-star before shock split(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street fans have been left floored after realising Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow, previously dated a co-star.
Kate shot to fame when she joined the ITV soap cast as Tracy in 2002, taking over from actress Dawn Acton, who played Tracy from 1988 to 1999.
And it’s fair to say Tracy has gone on to become one of the soap’s most iconic characters. She’s also been involved in several big storylines over the years.
From shock affairs and feuds to even murder, Tracy’s time in Weatherfield has lot been short of drama. Especially at the moment, as she is currently in the middle of a messy divorce from Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
Kate has played Tracy for years(Image: ITV)
Away from the soap though, Tracy actress Kate Ford’s love life hasn’t been as wild as her on-screen character.
She previously dated fellow actor Bart Ruspoli, whom she met on the set of EastEnders in 2000 when they both worked there. Kate and Bart didn’t date for long though, and soon enough their relationship fizzled out.
She previously dated a co-star
As well as acting, Bart is also a writer and producer. As an actor, he has starred in several TV series, including Band of Brothers, EastEnders and Heartbeat.
What’s more, fans have shared their shock of Kate and Bart’s past connection. Reacting to a post about her love life on a Facebook page, one person wrote; “I recognise her first boyfriend Bart.” Another wrote: “Same here.” A third also penned: “Didn’t know they dated.”
Kate and actor Bart were together back in the day
Meanwhile in 2022, Bart’s current wife took to social media to post a nostalgic photo from 1997 featuring Bart and Kate.
Soap star Kate shared the throwback image on her own social media and wrote: “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.”
He met Kate on EastEnders
After the end of her relationship with Bart, Kate struck up a romance with television producer Jon Connerty, marrying him in 2007 and welcoming their son Otis James in 2008. However, the couple’s marriage ended in divorce by 2013.
During that period, Ford expressed the emotional toll of the separation, telling the Sun: “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.”