November 27th 2024.
Did you know that actor Matt Milburn, who played Tommy Orpington on Coronation Street, is actually the real-life brother of Greg Wood, who portrayed the infamous Rick Neelan on the cobbles? Both brothers have had regular roles on the popular soap, with Matt appearing sporadically for eight years.
Rick Neelan, as fans may remember, was a notorious gangster who wreaked havoc on the residents of Coronation Street. He met his untimely end at the hands of Gary Windass, who was trying to protect his family from Rick's threats. Rick was also the father of Kelly, who was played by Millie Gibson, known for her role in Doctor Who. Like Tommy O, Rick's character appeared on the show for over a decade in a recurring capacity.
Greg Wood, in addition to playing Rick Neelan, is also known for his multiple roles on Hollyoaks, including Trevor Royle, who died on his wedding day in the arms of his fiancée, Grace Black. Matt Milburn also had a stint on Hollyoaks, playing Joe Spencer for 27 episodes between 2003 and 2006.
But it was Matt's role as Tommy Orpington that truly made him a household name. Tommy, a former football star turned painter and decorator, had a steamy affair with Tracy Barlow, who was married to Steve McDonald at the time. Matt was thrilled to reprise his role on the show in a more regular capacity, admitting that he had always hoped it would turn into something more. The affair was eventually exposed, causing drama and chaos on the cobbles.
After leaving the show for a while, Tracy is now back on the street and has plans to stay long-term. She is now dating Tommy and the two are even looking to buy a house together. Could this mean another return for the charming footballer?
Matt and Greg's off-screen relationship adds an extra layer of intrigue to their on-screen connection. Both brothers have been successful in their roles on Coronation Street, and fans can't help but wonder if they will make another appearance on the show in the future.
This article was first published on May 13, 2024, and if you have any soap or TV stories, videos, or pictures, feel free to email us as we always love to hear from our readers. Also, don't forget to join our community by leaving a comment and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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