Coronation Street fans have been left stunned after discovering that Cherylee Houston, who plays fan-favourite Izzy Armstrong, is married to a fellow actor who’s also appeared on the ITV soap — and the couple’s recent split has added another twist to their real-life story.

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A Real-Life Soap Couple Fans Didn’t See Coming

Since first appearing on Coronation Street in 2010, Cherylee Houston has become one of the most familiar faces on the cobbles. Her character, Izzy Armstrong, has been part of major storylines over the years, from her romance with Gary Windass (Mikey North) to emotional struggles during the pandemic.

But off-screen, fans have only just realised that Cherylee’s husband is none other than Toby Hadoke — a familiar name in British television and comedy circles. The 51-year-old has appeared in everything from Emmerdale and Shameless to Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights — and even Coronation Street itself.

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Toby’s Surprising Coronation Street Past

Toby’s connection to Corrie goes back further than most fans realise. He first appeared decades ago as a young vicar — the one who married Curly Watts — in what he jokingly calls “a scene from about 747 years ago.”

More recently, he returned to the soap in 2021 as Fergus, Izzy’s kind-hearted neighbour during the COVID-19 lockdown storyline. His character’s friendship with Izzy drew attention to the challenges faced by disabled people during the pandemic — a topic close to Cherylee’s heart.

Toby spoke warmly about acting alongside his wife, saying:

“She’s great as well. She’s such a good actor. I think it’s sometimes forgotten because she’s so brilliant at bringing attention to the importance of disability representation — she’s really good.”

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Comedy, Acting, and a Shared Passion for Representation

Outside of acting, Toby runs the award-winning XS Malarkey comedy club in Manchester, a not-for-profit venue credited with launching the careers of major comedy names such as Jason Manford and Alan Carr. The venue has been named Chortle’s Best Comedy Club in the North nine times.

Together, Toby and Cherylee have been advocates for disability awareness in entertainment, frequently appearing on programmes like This Morning to discuss inclusivity in television.

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Fans React with Surprise — and Nostalgia

When photos of the couple began circulating in Coronation Street fan groups, social media lit up with comments from surprised viewers.

“How come I recognise him?” one fan asked.
Another replied: “Toby Hadoke! He’s an actor, writer, and comedian — been in loads of shows.”

Others expressed shock that they hadn’t connected the dots earlier.

“I remember him from Corrie! Didn’t know they were married!” one viewer said, while another added, “Same — I think he popped up in Hollyoaks too!”

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A Difficult Year for the Couple

While both actors remain respected figures in their fields, reports suggest that the pair have recently parted ways after years of marriage, though neither has spoken publicly about the split. The separation reportedly came as a surprise to fans who had admired their long-term partnership and advocacy work together.

Despite personal changes, Cherylee remains dedicated to her work on Coronation Street, continuing to represent disability and strength through Izzy’s storylines — while Toby continues to thrive in comedy, theatre, and his ongoing radio and podcast projects.