Faye Brookes
Faye Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Brookes in 2019 | |
| Born | Faye Alicia Brookes 3 September 1987 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Spouse |
Iwan Lewis (m. 2023) |
Faye Alicia Brookes (born 3 September 1987) is an English actress. She is known for playing Kate Connor on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. In 2021, she competed in the thirteenth series of Dancing on Ice, where she finished in second place.
Early life
Brookes was born on 3 September 1987[1] in Stretford, Trafford.[2] Whilst growing up, Brookes attended Flixton Junior School and Knutsford High School.[2] She then expressed an interest in musical theatre, initially studying performing arts at Pendleton College from 2004 onwards, before later attending Guildford School of Acting. She graduated in 2010, after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre and being awarded the Principal’s Choice Award.[3]
Career
Prior to appearing on television, Brookes starred in various theatre productions, including Grease, Shrek, Legally Blonde and The Sound of Music.[4] In mid-2015, it was announced that the Connor family in Coronation Street was being extended. The family first appeared in the street in 2006 and have featured in many storylines.[5] Brookes was cast as Kate Connor and after her on-screen brother Aidan Connor made his first appearance, played by The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, Brookes first appeared as Kate in October 2015. She won Best Newcomer for her portrayal of Kate in January 2017 at the 22nd National Television Awards. In April 2019, it was announced that Brookes had decided to leave Coronation Street. Her final scenes aired later in 2019.[6]
On 24 September 2020, Brookes was announced as a contestant for the 2021 series of Dancing on Ice.[7] Brookes was originally partnered with Hamish Gaman; however, after he withdrew due to an injury in week 6, Brookes was re-partnered with Matt Evers.[8] She finished the competition in second place.[9]
In November 2021, it was announced that in 2022 Brookes would take over as Roxie Hart in the UK tour of the musical Chicago.[10] She joined the cast of The Sound of Music from 2025 to 2026.[11]
Personal life
In 2012, while appearing in a production of Legally Blonde, Brookes met Gareth Gates, who was playing her character's boyfriend. The pair began a relationship, and became engaged before separating in 2018.[12] While together, the pair set up a stage school, Fates Academy.[13]
In August 2023, Brookes married Legally Blonde co-star Iwan Lewis.[14] She had known him 13 years prior, when Lewis joked to Brookes' mother that he would end up marrying her.[15]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Atlantis | Helena | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Our Zoo | Frankie | 1 episode |
| 2015–2019 | Coronation Street | Kate Connor | Regular role |
| 2016 | The Chase | Herself | Celebrity special |
| 2018 | Coronation Street's DNA Secrets | Herself | One-off documentary |
| 2021 | Dancing on Ice | Herself | Contestant |
| 2022 | Celebrity Bridge of Lies | Herself | Celebrity Contestant |
| 2026 | Girl Troop vs Aliens | June Hopewell | 8 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | Grease | Frenchy and Sandy | Piccadilly Theatre |
| 2011–2012 | Legally Blonde | Elle Woods | UK tour[16] |
| 2013 | The Sound of Music | Liesl Von Trapp | Regent's Park Theatre |
| 2013–2014 | That Day We Sang | Ann/Edna | Royal Exchange Theatre |
| 2014–2015 | Shrek: The Musical | Princess Fiona | UK tour |
| 2021–2022, 2024–2025 | Chicago | Roxie Hart | UK tours |
| 2023 | Strictly Ballroom | Fran | UK tour |
| 2024 | Constellations | Marianne | The Barn Theatre |
| 2025–2026 | The Sound of Music | Elsa Schraeder | Curve Theatre |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | TV Choice Awards | Best Soap Newcomer | Nominated | [17] |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | Nominated | [18] |
| 2017 | 22nd National Television Awards | Newcomer | Won | [19] |
| 2017 | Digital Spy Reader Awards | Best Soap Relationship (with Bhavna Limbachia) | Second | [20] |
| 2018 | The British Soap Awards | Best On-Screen Partnership (with Limbachia) | Nominated | [21] |
| 2018 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Partnership (with Limbachia) | Nominated | [22] |
| 2018 | I Talk Telly Awards | Best Soap Partnership (with Limbachia) | Nominated | [23] |
References
- ^ "Who is Dancing On Ice's Faye Brookes? Age, Coronation Street career and boyfriend revealed". Heart. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Urmston actress starring in Shrek the Musical". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Faye Brookes stars in award winning Legally Blonde". SurreyLive. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ "Dancing on Ice: DOI star Faye Brookes had an unusual request for Holly Willoughby's sister". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Coronation Street: Faye Brookes on newcomer Kate Connor - "There's rivalry between her and Aidan"". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ McCreesh, Louise (30 April 2019). "Coronation Street star Faye Brookes announces shock exit for Kate Connor". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Meet Faye Brookes, Dancing on Ice 2021 contestant and Corrie star". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ Earp, Catherine (16 February 2021). "Dancing on Ice professional Hamish Gaman withdraws from the show". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ McManus, Samuel (14 March 2021). "Dancing On Ice 2021: Sonny Jay announced as winner in grand finale". OK!. Reach plc. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "Chicago announces new tour cast for 2022 - WhatsOnStage". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "The Sound of Music revival completes festive season casting". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ "Why did Dancing on Ice star Faye Brookes and Gareth Gates split?". Hello!. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Coronation Street star Faye Brookes confirmed for Dancing on Ice 2021". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Former Coronation Street star Faye Brookes marries partner Iwan Lewis". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ "Faye Brookes' whirlwind marriage with Iwan Lewis after rejecting him aged 18". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 13 June 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
- ^ "UK Tour (2011)". Legally Blonde: The Musical. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Tv Choice Awards 2016- The Longlist". digitalspy.co.uk. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ Harp, Justin (3 January 2017). "National Television Awards reveals its 2017 nominees. Check out the full rundown of each category". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (29 December 2017). "Emmerdale almost achieves clean sweep at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2017". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (1 May 2018). "Coronation Street tops the British Soap Awards 2018 shortlist as the full nominations are revealed". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- ^ Davies, Megan (23 July 2018). "Inside Soap Awards 2018 full longlist revealed: Which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- ^ Gonzalez, Elliot (3 November 2018). "I TALK TELLY AWARDS Nominations 2018". I Talk Telly. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
External links
- Faye Brookes at IMDb