Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has revealed that a freak accident nearly ended her award-winning career.
The actress, who played Rovers waitress Becky McDonald for six years, was 19 when she fell out the door of a friend’s house and hit her tailbone, the bone at the base of the spine, with the corner of a table.
The 43-year-old woman was told at the time that she might need a wheelchair after the injury went untreated for 18 months.
Injury: Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has revealed that a freak accident nearly ended her award-winning career
Katherine first spoke about her injury publicly on the Three Little Words podcast.
Giving credit to a physical therapist he had at the time, he said: “If I hadn’t found it, I would have had surgery.” I had a conversation with a professional about a wheelchair.
Katherine, who was studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, said: “I couldn’t predict when it would arrive. It was almost as if she was lying, since one day she was in pain and the next she wasn’t. She knew that she would have to drop out of drama school.
‘Having that pain every day and not being able to walk… It was nerve damage. What made it worse was that he had not been treated for 18 months.’
Accident: The actress, who played Rovers’ waitress Becky McDonald for six years, was 19 when she fell out the door of a friend’s house, hitting her tailbone, the bone at the base of her spine , with the corner of a table.
Katherine added: ‘My mother used to send me her migraine tablets. I was in massive pain. I would like time taking the tablets with physical lessons.
“The base of my spine had twisted to compensate because I had been taking so many painkillers.”
She revealed that physio with Kevin Ludlow changed her life: ‘He believed in rehab exercises. In the long run, he said that he would have to do yoga or pilates and he was right. I haven’t had any problems for 10 years.’
She said: “You get asked a lot when you’re a skinny actress, especially when I was in Corrie: ‘What’s your diet? What’s your secret?’
“I was really staying away from those questions because the truth was that I had come to work out because I was going to stay well.”
Career: Initially signed on for 12 episodes, the Barnsley-born actress filmed over 700 episodes during her unexpectedly extended stay on Coronation Street, which lasted until 2012.
Katherine got her big break in 2006, when she landed the coveted role of Becky McDonald on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.
Initially signed on for 12 episodes, the Barnsley-born actress filmed over 700 episodes during her unexpectedly extended stay, which lasted until 2012.
He then went on to find even greater success, landing big roles in Cheat, Liar, Mr Selfridge, and Gentleman Jack.
It comes after it was revealed that Katherine is dating Line Of Duty star Tony Pitts, according to reports.
The soap opera star is said to have found love with the 60-year-old actor two years after splitting with ex-IT consultant husband Ryan Clark.
The new couple went public with their romance at the Dancing With Heroes ball at London’s Landmark Hotel on Sunday night.
Katherine and Tony “have been together for several months and have even met each other’s friends and family.”
New romance: Katherine is dating Line Of Duty star Tony Pitts, and the new couple went public at the Dancing With Heroes ball at the Landmark Hotel in London on Sunday (pictured)
A source told The Sun: “They have kept their relationship out of the limelight but have attended a number of events together this year, including Royal Ascot and ITV Palooza earlier this month.”
“At the Dancing With Heroes dance, Kelly couldn’t keep her hands off Tony and was stroking the back of his head all night.
‘They have met each other’s families and went on vacation together with their respective children earlier this year. Katherine is incredibly happy with Tony and it’s clear they are a very good couple.”
The new couple is believed to have first met when they worked together in 2019 on a short film called Affection.
Tony played Archie Brooks in Emmerdale for a decade until 1993 and took over the role of copper dubbed DCS Lester Hargreaves in the hit BBC drama Line of Duty.
Former love: The actress and her ex-husband, digital analyst Ryan Clark, split in April 2020 after seven years of marriage (pictured together in 2015)
Katherine and her digital analyst ex-husband Ryan Clark made the ‘difficult’ decision to go their separate ways in April 2020 after seven years of marriage.
The former couple met 11 years ago and tied the knot two years later in a Las Vegas ceremony.
Katherine and Ryan have two daughters; Orla, seven, and Rose, four.
A spokesperson said at the time: ‘Katherine and Ryan have made the difficult decision to separate. They see it as a positive move for both of them and the separation is completely amicable.
“Their children are their top priority and they will continue to co-parent as good friends.”
Starring role: Tony played Archie Brooks in Emmerdale for a decade until 1993 and took over the role of dubbed copper DCS Lester Hargreaves in the hit BBC drama Line of Duty (pictured)