Alan Halsall has sent a supportive message to Coronation Street co-star Samia Longchambon as she celebrates her birthday. The actor has worked alongside Samia on the soap for over two decades.
The actor is known for the role of Tyrone Dobbs on the Cobbles and Samia is best known for playing Maria Connor on the ITV soap. Both characters are long-standing, with Tyrone being on the street since 1998 and Maria joining two years later in 2000.
Alan is one of many soap stars who have taken to social media to wish Samia well. He shared a picture of the two on his Instagram stories and wrote “Love ya and have a great day @Samia_Longchambon.”
Andy Whyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland, posted: “Happy Birthday to my on screen sis @Samia_Longchambon enjoy your day” and Toyah Battersby star Georgia Taylor uploaded a picture of the two, writing “Happy birthday Samia you absolute beauty.”
The messages from co-stars continued as on-screen step-son Bobby Bradshaw posted “Happy birthday to the best Corrie step mum.” The 43-year-old has had a lot to celebrate in recent months.
It has been 25 years since the actress started playing the role of Maria Connor on the ITV soap. Since her first appearance on the soap in 2000, Samia has been a regular on our screens and a fan favourite. She remains as key to the soap as ever, often involved in some of the biggest storylines.
A particularly moving storyline Samia has been involved in was last year when her on-screen son Liam was bullied at school and for months viewers watched as Maria tried to support him. This included homeschooling him and giving him the support he needed. They also confronted the bullies, Mason Radcliffe and Dylan Wilson.
In May, Samia shared a special career update with fans. On Instagram she posted a photo of her first cast card from 2000 and her latest. The ITV star wrote: “25 years today since ‘Maria’ first stepped onto the cobbles @coronationstreet. Feeling nostalgic going through old photos, this is my first cast card from 2000 and then my latest one!
“Thanks to my Corrie family for having me be a small part of our very special show. Always grateful for the memories, and looking forward to making more! #coronationstreet #25.”
Away from screens, Samia is married to Dancing on Ice star Sylvain Longchambon. The couple met when partners on the dance show in 2013. They soon fell in love and married in 2016, Samia has previously said how she believes her dad was responsible for bringing Sylvain into her life.
During an appearance on Loose Women, she said: “I believe in angels and I always think my dad sent Sylvain to me.” Sylvain and Samia welcomed their first child, Yves, in 2015 and the soap star is also the proud mum of Freya, who she shares with her ex-husband.