Coronation Street’s Marc Baylis has admitted he debated changing careers before he landed his role on the Cobbles. The soap star is renowned for his role as Rob Donovan in Weatherfield.
The 47-year-old was a hit with fans after he landed the role as he become of the Cobbles’ most notorious villains during his stint on the ITV show. Rob exited the show when he was convicted of killing Tina McIntyre, who was played by Michelle Keegan.
However, he has now made his dramatic return to the show and been thrust straight back into the action after he agreed to donate his kidney to sister, Carla Connor, as a way to escape prison.
Spoilers for this week’s episode have revealed he will try to rekindle his romance with Tracy Barlow and suggested they should flee Weatherfield for good. The soap star has spoken about his journey to the Cobbles in an interview with our sister site, Daily Mirror.
Before landing his signature role, Marc had minor parts in shows such as EastEnders and The Bill. However he admitted he almost walked away on his acting dreams before he landed a regular role on Corrie.
He said: “I have loads of outstanding ambitions. I would have quit if I hadn’t! I thought of giving up on acting loads of times. It’s not an easy industry, it’s never been an easy industry, and it never will be an easy industry.
“The struggles are part of the journey.” While he attempted to make his acting dreams a reality, Marc worked in a number of other fields on building sites, in pubs, as well as in sales and marketing.
He said working outside of showbiz has made him a stronger person, adding: “It gives you armour and a better understanding of yourself as well. If anything comes too easy to anyone in life, maybe they won’t respect it as much.”
He added: “It’s a case of keeping your head above water. But that’s the nature of the beast. “My family have always been very supportive and, luckily, I enjoy variety.
“And you pick up skills along the way. Anything you learn on your journey you can apply into your acting work as well. If you’ve done other jobs, it makes you appreciate the roles more when you get them.
“You become a much more rounded person, far more grounded and far more respectful.” Tracy Barlow is played by Kate Ford in the show and the soap star spoke to ITV about her upcoming storyline.
Tracy split from Steve McDonald last year and eloped to Spain with Tommy Orpington. She has since returned to the Cobbles and split from Tommy in last week’s episodes.
The soap star has spoken about her onscreen counterpart’s reaction to Rob’s offer when he suggests they should reprise their romance. Speaking about Tracy’s feelings for Rob, Kate said: “Tracy really loved Rob, but so much happened there to take that away. I think she’s moved on, those feelings for him are long gone.”
When asked if Tracy believes she could be in danger with Rob with his desperation to stay out of prison, Kate said: “Not at first but as things escalate she suddenly realises this is quite serious. She doesn’t think he’d ever hurt her really, but there’s always that level of doubt so there is a little bit of fear.”
Rob is played by Marc Baylis and Kate has loved the opportunity to work with him again. However, she was in disbelief at his age defying appearance as she said he hasn’t changed since he last appeared on the show in 2017.
She added: “I’ve really enjoyed it. It was so nice. I mean, for a start he looks exactly the same, like he hasn’t aged at all, but we just went straight back into it. It was like he hadn’t gone and it was really nice to play scenes with him again.”