Coronation Street Tracy Barlow star’s life – soap exit, ‘incredible pain’ and famous ex

ITV soap opera icon Kate Ford, who played Tracy Barlow for almost 20 years on Coronation Street, has chosen to leave Weatherfield once more.

Millions of people recognise Kate Ford from Coronation Street as Tracy Barlow, Deirdre and Ken’s daughter, and she has played a pivotal role in some of Weatherfield’s most suspenseful stories. Her character has ventured into some dark territory, ranging from blackmailing to being charged with murder for killing her partner Charlie Stubbs.

The famous soap opera star has already explained her personal viewpoint on Tracy, stating: “I really believe that she is a sociopath because she lacks empathy like most people do.” However, we do get to see her human side; I doubt the character would have endured as long if she had only been a villain. Nobody would take her word for it. She’s very blessed; she’s never boring.”

Although fans of Coronation Street have followed Tracy for more than 20 years, Kate’s path off-screen is very different from the antics of her TV persona.

Kate is a Salford native who attended schools all throughout Cumbria and Lancashire before attending the esteemed Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art to hone her acting skills. Her career took off after she appeared in the music video for The Beatles’ song “Free as a Bird” and costarred with Ricky Butcher and Bianca Jackson in an EastEnders one-off.

Later on, she was cast in Corrie, becoming the fourth celebrity to take Tracy’s place, according to the Mirror. Beyond her career, it is known that in the year 2000, Kate had a brief romantic relationship with BAFTA-nominated actor Bart Ruspoli, who was well-known for a brief appearance in EastEnders.

**For almost two decades, the actress has been a staple on the cobbles (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)**

Ruspoli’s current wife shared a flashback photo of the former pair from 1997, which added an intriguing twist to their brief affair. The actress replied by posting the image on her social media accounts and writing, “I adore this!! When your ex-wife shares a happy photo of you and her husband from 1997 (I adore them both), it makes you appreciate how beautiful life can sometimes come full circle in unexpected ways xx.

After that, Kate went on to build a life for herself with television producer Jon Connerty, which resulted in marriage in 2007 and the birth of their son Otis James the following year. Happiness wasn’t meant to last, though, as the pair started the divorce process in 2013.

**Kate has already discussed her struggle with health.(Photo: Instagram/realkate1/)**

After her marriage ended, Kate had a low-key private existence free of any noticeable sexual relationships. The soap opera star, who is usually reserved, has been open about her health issues, especially her fight with endometriosis. The Coronation Street legend has been transparent about how her work on the soap opera is occasionally affected by the ailment, which affects the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

Social media has given Kate a forum to talk about her illness. She uploaded a photo of herself wearing a red jacket with a Coronation Street emblem on it to Instagram.

“Filming #itvcorrie this was a few weeks ago at a time that I was struggling with my #endometriosis, luckily got lots of support,” she wrote as the image’s description. I’m just giving my love to everyone experiencing anything similar.” At the time, her co-stars on Corrie, Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor, and Shobna Gulati, who portrayed Sunita Alahan in the past, said, “You are so strong xxx and beautiful,” and both emitted heart and embrace emojis.

**Kate is close pals with a number of other well-known people.(Photo courtesy of Instagram)**

Kate is close friends with a number of celebs in addition to her Corrie family, one of which being Kate Thornton from Loose Women, who also happens to be her neighbour. Regarding their friendship, Kate disclosed: “I spent Christmas Eve at Kate Thornton’s house, and she prepared the most amazing amount of food I’ve ever seen in my life.” Our boys are close friends and we share a London flat on the same street. We frequently enter and exit one other’s homes because we are so close.”

Viewers saw Tracy depart Weatherfield on Monday, September 16, just a few weeks after she returned from Spain after a fight with Tommy Orpington, her new partner.

She bid goodbye to Amy and her father Ken Barlow and was driven to the airport by her ex-husband Steve McDonald. Before turning off the street, she also urged Steve to go on with Cassie Plummer, a newbie. Like previously this year, it’s thought that Kate is merely taking a little vacation before making a comeback. There are rumours that a lengthier return, if not a full-time one, is in the works for next year.