Fans of the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street have been left utterly surprised by the real-life marriage of one of its beloved stars. Cherylee Houston, who has played the role of Izzy Armstrong since 2010, has been wed to a well-known actor for two decades.
A Soap Power Couple
Cherylee Houston, 51, first arrived on the famous cobbles as a love interest for Kirk Sutherland, played by Andy Whyment. Over the years, her character, an Underworld factory machinist, has been central to many major plots, including a romance with Gary Windass and a dramatic storyline that saw her imprisoned for two months.
However, it is her off-screen life that has recently captured viewers' attention. For 20 years, Cherylee has been married to fellow actor Toby Hadoke, also 51. Toby is a familiar face on British television, with appearances in shows like Emmerdale, Shameless, and the cult classic Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.
Professional Paths Cross on the Cobbles
The couple's professional worlds collided in 2021 when Toby made an appearance on Coronation Street itself. He played Fergus, a kind neighbour who supported Izzy during the pandemic, in a storyline that poignantly highlighted the challenges faced by disabled people during the national health crisis.
Toby has spoken warmly about working with his wife on the show, praising her talents. "She's great as well," he said. "She's such a good actor. I think it's forgotten because she's so brilliant at bringing attention to the importance of disability representation, she's really good."
Beyond his acting career, Toby is also a writer, stand-up comedian, and the manager of the award-winning XS Malarkey comedy club in Manchester. The not-for-profit venue has been a launchpad for stars like Jason Manford and Alan Carr, winning Chortle's Best Comedy Club award for the north of England an impressive nine times.
Fan Reaction and Surprise
The revelation of their relationship caused a stir among members of a Coronation Street Facebook community. When a picture of the couple was shared, many fans expressed their shock.
One member asked, "How come I recognise him?" to which another promptly identified him: "Toby Hadoke! He's an actor/writer/standup comedian."
Others were surprised to connect the dots, with one fan commenting, "I remember him from Corrie I think, didn't know at the time they were together." Another added they recalled him from other shows, noting, "Same! Think he was in Hollyoaks as well."
This isn't Toby's only brush with Weatherfield history, either. He previously revealed a fun Coronation Street fact from the archives, stating, "If you delve into the archives you know, I once married Curly Watts. I was a vicar," referring to a one-off appearance many years prior.
