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Faye Lewis
Faye Brookes 2019.jpg
Brookes in 2019
Born
Faye Alicia Brookes

(1987-09-03) 3 September 1987 (age 36)
Education
  • Flixton Junior School
  • Knutsford High School
  • Pendleton College
  • Guildford School of Acting
Occupation Actress
Years active 2011–present
Television
Spouse(s) Iwan Lewis (m 2023)

Faye Alicia Brookes (born 3 September 1987) is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of 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 in Stretford, Trafford. Whilst growing up, Brookes attended Flixton Junior School and Knutsford High School. 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.

Career

Prior to appearing on television, Brookes starred in various theatre productions, including Grease, Shrek, Legally Blonde and The Sound of Music. 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. 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 were to air later in 2019.

On 24 September 2020, Brookes was announced as a contestant for the 2021 series of Dancing on Ice. 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. She finished the competition in second place.

In November 2021, it was announced that in 2022 Brookes would take over as Roxie Hart in the UK tour of the musical Chicago.

Personal life

In 2012, while appearing in a production of Legally Blonde, Brookes met Gareth Gates, who was portraying the role of her character's boyfriend. The pair began a relationship, and became engaged. The pair split in 2018. While together, the pair set up a stage school, Fates Academy.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Atlantis Helena 1 episode
2014 Our Zoo Frankie 1 episode
2015–2019 Coronation Street Kate Connor Series regular; 433 episodes
2016 The Chase Herself Celebrity special
2018 Coronation Street's DNA Secrets Herself One-off documentary
2021 Dancing on Ice Herself Contestant
2022 Bridge of Lies Herself Celebrity Contestant

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2016 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Newcomer Nominated
2016 Inside Soap Awards ... Female Nominated
2017 22nd National Television Awards Newcomer Won
2017 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Soap Relationship (shared with Bhavna Limbachia) Second
2018 The British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated
2018 Inside Soap Awards Best Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated
2018 I Talk Telly Awards Best Soap Partnership (shared with Limbachia) Nominated
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