Romance: Simon : as Corrie's Frank
CORONATION STREET
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, 8PM, ITV SOAP
Thirty-five years after his Brookside alter ego, Damon Grant, was fatally stabbed, Simon O'Brien is back in soapland. The 56-year-old, now best known for presenting shows like Find It, Fix It, Flog It, pitches up in Corrie this week as Sean's new love interest, Frank.
TV Times caught up with Simon to talk soaps, Stephen Graham, and eating with Will Smith...
So, what can you tell us about the character of Frank?
He has been trying to use dating apps and is very inept, so he has got a date in the Rovers with someone inappropriate, and that's where he meets Sean. Frank likes to think he's quite witty, and Sean finds him funny, and they soon hit it off.
Frank is a Scouser and went to school with George, the undertaker - they have a past...
Is this a conscious move back into acting, or will you just see what happens?
The latter, but I would so love this to be a springboard to get the acting going again, because I enjoy it. Presenting is easier in some ways because you don't have to rehearse, but it's all on you - I'll start at 8am and won't stop until 5pm, and I'll be on camera the whole time.
Acting was always my first love, and presenting was accidental.
Big break: Simon (left) with Brookside co-stars Paul Usher, Shelagh O'Hara, Sue Johnston and Ricky Tomlinson
How does it feel to be back in soapland?
This story is from the May 21, 2022 edition of TV Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 21, 2022 edition of TV Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lasting LEGACY
As The Yorkshire Vet marks a magical milestone, MATT JACKSON-SMITH and PETER WRIGHT chat to TV Times about continuing James Herriot’s important work
BLAST from the past!
Will meets up with the mysterious Os
Rhona's REVENGE?
As she heads to court for Gus’ sentencing, will RN she stick to their agreement about baby Ivy?
Meet your DAUGHTER...
Nadine has news for Jay, but-what.is she hiding?
CONFESSION time?
Whitney feels the heat when Lauren drops an ultimatum about her pal’s fostering lie
I had a BABY..
A meltdown at the Red Recileads Toyah to make a tragic confession to Nick
Where there's a WILL
George makes a shock discovery about the ownership of the funeral parlour
Sea of HOPE
ALIZ BONNIN on the| pionieeting Sciences st that could saverOulr coral reetsie
The RACE is on!
JAMIE BORTHWICK and EMMA BARTON onrunning the London Marathon as part of an EastEnders storyline
On a ROLE
DEREK THOMPSON on returning to his native Belfast to play a retired cop