It is a proud day for thousands of parents this week as children return to school, and some have made the huge step up from primary school to high school. Celebrities have been sharing pictures of their children on social media this morning.
Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall is emotional today as his daughter Sienna starts a new chapter in year 7. The Tyrone Dobbs star has spoken about his close bond with his daughter on many occasions, including when he participated in the last series of I’m a Celebrity.
On Instagram, the soap star shared an emotional and lengthy message about being a “proud” dad. Sharing a photo of his daughter posing in front of a mirror, Alan wrote: “It feels like just yesterday when I watched you take your first tiny steps.
“Today, my beautiful girl takes a giant leap into high school! My heart swells with pride, yet it’s bittersweet to see your grow so fast. While I am finding it hard to let go, all I want is to see you shine and thrive in this new chapter.”
He added: “Remember, no matter where life takes you, I’ll always be right here, your biggest fan here, cheering you on with love and support! You are my world, my greatest joy #newbeginnings.”
The actor shares daughter Sienna-Rae with his ex-wife and former co-star Lucy-Jo Hudson. Their marriage lasted almost a decade, tying the knot back in 2009 and parting ways in 2018.
Earlier this year, Alan went public with his new partner. The soap star confirmed a romance with HR coordinator Ellie Dolan last year. When in the jungle, Alan would do a secret gesture to his daughter back home.
Andy Whyment, known for his role as Corrie’s Kirk Sutherland, revealed on This Morning: “The only time you know when the camera is on you is when Ant and Dec are saying who’s doing the trial.
“So every time they say Alan, he always goes like that [makes heart shape with hands] which is just a sign to Sienna [his daughter].”
He added: “Sienna is the only thing that really really gets him emotional and I know he’s really missing her so that’s why every time they say ‘Alan, it’s not you’, he’s doing that as a sign so that Sienna knows that he’s thinking of her.”
On-screen, Alan’s character has been involved in some key storylines recently. The character has recently been embroiled in Kevin Webster’s cancer storyline as scenes this week showed the character reassuring Abi Webster her husband will make a recovery.
Alan first joined the show in 1998 and remains to be one of the Cobbles’ most important cast members. Before Coronation Street Alan had appeared in other television shows including Children’s Ward, Heartbeat and Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.