ITV Coronation Street fans 'never knew' iconic characters are real-life mum and son

ITV Coronation Street stars are mum and son in real life - but fans 'never knew'
-Credit: (Image: ITV/Peter Byrne/PA Wire)


Coronation Street has graced our screens for decades, playing out gripping storylines and complex characters.

Not only have some characters had familial connections on-screen, but several real-life family members have tread the cobbles off-screen too. Cousins Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach have made their names on the soap, while the late Rick Neelan (Greg Wood) was actually the real-life brother of footballer Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn).

However, they're not the only ones, the ECHO reports. Fans have been surprised by a mother and son duo that appeared on the show years ago.

READ MORE: Tributes paid to Lancashire teacher who inspired Coronation Street star

In 1985, Sue Jenkins joined the cast of the ITV soap as Gloria Todd and became a regular face on our screens. Her character was a beloved barmaid at the Rovers Return reports the Daily Star.

In addition to her Corrie role, Sue portrayed Jackie Corkhill in Brookside for nine years between 1992 and 2001. She also played a role in Emmerdale in 2008 as Bonnie Drinkwater.

Corrie
1986, Gloria Todd played by Sue Jenkins -Credit:Granada TV

What a lot of viewers are only just realising though, is that Sue has a famous real-life son who also appeared on Corrie. Her son is Richard Fleeshman who played Craig Harris on the soap back in 2002.

His fictional family, the Harrises were in hiding under a witness protection programme when they landed on the show. Craig himself turned into a goth, much to his father's dismay, and became Rosie Webster's (portrayed by Helen Flanagan) first love interest.

The drama escalated when Katy Harris, Craig's sister, murdered their father following a heated argument about her clandestine relationship with Martin Platt. Their mother, Angela Harris, attempted to protect Katy, but overwhelmed by guilt, Katy took her own life.

Richard Fleeshman on Coronation Street as Craig
Richard Fleeshman on Coronation Street as Craig -Credit:BBC

In the aftermath, Craig planned to flee to Berlin with Rosie but ultimately departed alone, bidding farewell to the cobbles for good in 2006.

The revelation of Sue and Richard's time on Corrie left fans on social media stunned. On X, previously known as Twitter, one viewer posted about Sue's stint on Corrie. Another fan responded: "That's Richard Fleishman mum!!"

Another person commented: "Wow, all this time watching and I never knew that I could see her son in that photo now." A third joined the conversation, stating: "Her real-life son played Craig Harris, son of Psycho Tommy!"

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