Coronation Street star Tony Maudsley has stunned fans as he revealed his co-star’s real age as he made sure he celebrated the milestone occasion on the show’s famous set.
The actor, who is best known for playing George Shuttleworth in the ITV soap, didn’t want Antony Cotton to forget his age as he marked his 50th birthday on Tuesday (August 5).
The soap star, who is famed for playing Sean Tully for more than 20 years in the long-running show, was filming on his big day but didn’t seem to mind as he spoke about being surrounded by the love of his Corrie family.
Antony took to his Instagram Story with his own message as he wrote: “Thank you for the 1000s of messages and posts and birthday references I’ve had today.
“I’ve spent the day in the place I first walked in to 23 years ago – Weatherfield. Thank you to my @coronationstreet family for a really lovely day in the Rovers.
“Tomorrow I travel up to Harrogate to be an inspecting officer at the Army Foundation College, which is always one of the highlights of my year.
“Sometimes life is hard, it seems the world is going mad, more than ever, but I feel so lucky to have my family tribe, my Corrie tribe and my military tribe. Life is so much better when we share the load and travel the unsure paths together.”
The birthday boy followed up the post dressing room covered in 50 speed limit-inspired signs, while others joked of ‘old age’, as he explained: “Thank you to @tonymaudsley1 for this welcome on my dressing room door this morning. He adores me. Unconditionally.”
Meanwhile, Tony took to Instagram with a selfie he snapped in the Corrie green room of himself and Antony with their castmates – Tina O’Brien, Samia Longchambon, Channique Sterling-Brown, Peter Gunn and Jodie Prenger.
Alongside the smiling snap, he shared: “Today we were celebrating @antonycotton as he reached the ripe old age of FIFTY!!!! I wasn’t trying to steel his thunder by taking centre stage on the birthday pic…I just had the longest arms to be able to squeeze us all into the selfie!”
And the messages quickly came flooding in, with many sharing birthday wishes for Antony, while others were surprised by his age. Corrie’s official page started by saying: “Bunch of icons right there! Happy 50th @antonycotton.”
@dlans56 said: “Happy birthday Anthony I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating.” @janicemacrow commented: “Happy birthday Antony can’t believe you are 50 enjoy.” @jillfoster40 posted: “Happy Birthday Anthony-enjoy being 50-it’s not bad honestly.”
@buchan_yvonne wrote: “Great with people Happy birthday. Anthony your having a great time with your corrie friends.” sarahreynolds6281 shared: “Great photo. Happy birthday Anthony.” @nickymichelle89 added: “50 no way. Happy birthday @antonycotton.”