Coronation Street Rob Donovan star’s life off-screen – including forgotten soap past
Rob Donovan recently made a dramatic return to Coronation Street but what does actor Marc Baylis get up too when he's not playing Carla Connor's brother in the ITV soap?
Coronation Street’s Marc Baylis is set to take centre stage next week as Rob Donovan is feared dead.
When inmate Rob calls his prison warden lover Mandy needing her help, she reveals that she’s been suspended because someone found out about their relationship.
Mandy tells Carla Connor (Alison King) that Rob’s taken a turn for the worse, but when Carla demands to speak to a nurse, Mandy turns on Carla. Rob later is found motionless at the bottom of an office block stairwell but has happened to Rob and is he still alive?
Marc made his debut as Rob back in 2014 as the younger brother of Carla and began his scheming on the cobbles from the get-go.
Shortly after getting engaged to Tracy Barlow, Rob bludgeoned Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) to death to keep his crimes a secret and was later sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
Rival soap past
Most soap fans will know actor Marc Baylis as Rob Donovan but he’s also appeared in Doctors and EastEnders (
TV pic)
Most fans will know actor Marc as Rob but his soap career actually began almost a decade prior. In 2005, Marc appeared in an episode of Doctors and four years later stumbled upon Albert Square in a New Years Day episode of EastEnders.
Marc also dabbled in a film career as he starred in the comedy horror Strippers vs Werewolves alongside several famous faces, including Line of Duty’s Martin Compston, as well as EastEnders stars Billy Murray and Martin Kemp.
Tragic loss
Marc was one of many Coronation Street stars who were devastated by the loss of Deidre Barlow actress Anne Kirkbride
Marc was one of many Coronation Street stars who were devastated by the loss of Deidre Barlow actress Anne Kirkbride. He worked closely with Anne on the soap after his character pinned Tina’s murder on Peter Barlow.
Back In 2014, the late actress was granted an extended three month absence by soap bosses after being left exhausted by months of emotional scenes in the wake of the explosive storyline.
Marc told the Mirror at the time: “Annie just needs a little break, purely and simple. It’s been a very long year this year for everybody involved with the Barlow’s household.
The actor paid a touching tribute to Anne when she passed away (
ITV)
“She needs to rest her bones a little bit because she’s one of our finest actresses in this country. To pull it off to that standard, you need to have a little rest.” The following year, Anne passed away after a battle with breast cancer.
Marc took to social media at the time and penned a heartfelt message to his co-star which read: “The memories will make me smile till the end of my days.. Sleep now beautiful Annie xxx.”
Away from the cobbles
Marc appeared in the music video for the song Propane Nightmares by Australian drum and bass group, Pendulum, released in 2008. He has also starred in short films most notably My Dad Marie.
As well as appearing in music videos, Marc has played Captain Hook in the pantomime production of Peter Pan back in 2022. Photographed at the show’s launch, he could be seen wearing a thick, black curly wig that trailed down his shoulders.
Sporting a light sprinkling of facial hair, Marc dressed up in the red and white pirates costume, with a huge hat and hook on his left hand.
Elsewhere, Marc has made a successful career for himself as a voice actor for a string of popular video games and he also made an appearances in one episode of London Kills and a short film called Off Grid.
