Coronation Street’s Emrhys Cooper has left the UK ahead of his character’s departure from the ITV soap.
Emrhys plays Rowan Cunliffe, the leader of an organisation called The Institute.
When Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) attended one of his self-help classes at a hotel a few months ago, Leanne became curious of the group and Rowan’s charming abilities.
As time ticked on, Leanne became more interested in the cult and less interested in her family. Due to the fact Rowan is manipulating Leanne, she remains unaware he is also blackmailing Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) over their affair.
Because this is a villainous storyline, we know we’ll eventually see the back of Rowan, but how he will leave the cobbles currently remains to be seen.
With actor Emrhys Cooper set to star in a panto production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it won’t be long until we see the back of his alter-ego – but not before we learn a little more about him, as Emrhys explained to us recently:
‘There’s already been a lot of heated arguments between them [Nick, Toyah and Rowan] and he’s used to people being suspicious of The Institute’ he said.
‘We are going to learn more about his chequered past. I think he’s such a master-manipulator that he can spin it and still work it in his favour, turning his past into what helped him grow into who he is now.’
Away from his evil character, actor Emrhys has been enjoying some well-earned rest overseas.
Sharing a post on his Instagram stories, Emrhys made us feel incredibly jealous standing by a pool in Palm Springs, California.
With the sunset in the background, the actor looks set to spend a lovely period of time in the US, where he lived for many years.
Emrhys previously opened up to Metro.co.uk about his personal life and journey exploring his sexuality.
He detailed: ‘I was so desperate to be normal and fit in, that I did actually have feelings for this girl. It was a real relationship. We had a really good thing, and I thought that maybe I was bisexual, but I hadn’t explored my sexuality at that point.’
As Emrhys made an exciting move to LA, it was there he started to explore his sexuality, but said it wasn’t ‘in a healthy way’.
‘I still had gay shame, and felt the guilt. I couldn’t do anything sexually without being really drunk, and that went on until I was about 27 through mostly anonymous encounters.
‘I got to the point where I was miserable. I was driving down Sunset Boulevard one time just crying. Things were going well in my career, but I was so tired of living this lie. There were cracks starting to appear.
‘My coming out journey began at 27. I met an amazing man, Peter, who is still a very good friend. He was my first boyfriend and he was very comfortable and stable in his sexuality.’
He added: ‘I am now married to a wonderful man, Donal, and we have been together for seven years, having been wed by ‘Elvis!’ I feel so lucky and privileged, because there are so many people who haven’t had that – I have met my best friend.
‘The person I am now is worlds away for who I was even just a few years ago. Today, I feel fresh and positive, looking after my body and my mind. If I don’t have meditation and yoga in the day, I really feel it.’
