Actress Tina O’Brien has announced the death of her father through an emotional Instagram post, breaking her recent silence on social media.
The 42-year-old performer, who has portrayed Sarah Platt in Coronation Street since 1999, shared the news on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement posted to her Instagram Stories against a black background, Ms O’Brien explained her absence from the platform had been due to her father’s passing.
The actress expressed difficulty in finding the right words to communicate her loss.
Tina O’Brien has announced the death of her father
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She thanked those who had supported her during what she described as a challenging period, adding rainbow, star, heart, and praying hands emojis to her message.
“I’ve been a little quiet on here. My dad recently died. I haven’t quite known how to put it into words,” Ms O’Brien wrote in her Instagram Story.
The actress continued: “My heart is very heavy, but I’m grateful he is no longer suffering.”
She concluded her statement with words of appreciation for those who had provided comfort: “Thank you to everyone who’s held me steady through this difficult time.
Tina O’Brien announced her father’s death on Instagram
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“I love you. You mean the world to me,” she signed off. The heartfelt message was shared alongside Cat Stevens’ song Father and Son.
Ms O’Brien’s father was named Steven, though no further details about his death have been disclosed.
Her daughter Scarlett Thomas, who is also a familiar face on screens thanks to her role in the BBC’s Waterloo Road, has yet to address her granddad’s passing publicly.
Ms O’Brien marked a quarter-century on the ITV soap last year, having first appeared on screen at age 16.
Tina O’Brien and her daughter Scarlett Thomas
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Her portrayal of Sarah Platt has been intermittent throughout the years, though she has maintained a consistent presence for more than 10 years.
The actress has cultivated a substantial Instagram following exceeding 500,000 users and frequently posts updates about her life.
Her most recent activity before Tuesday’s announcement was at the beginning of November, when she shared photographs from filming and time spent with her children.
Just last month, Ms O’Brien became emotional whilst posting footage of her daughter performing, describing the 16-year-old as a “beautiful little human” and expressing pride in her vocal abilities.
Tina O’Brien is a familiar face on Coronation Street
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Ms O’Brien shares two children from previous relationships. Her eldest daughter, Scarlett, now 17, was born in 2008 during her relationship with former Coronation Street colleague Ryan Thomas, which lasted from 2003 to 2009.
She also has a 10-year-old son, Beau, with her estranged husband, Adam Crofts.
The actress separated from Mr Crofts earlier this year after their 2018 New Year’s Eve wedding.
Reports in June suggested their contrasting lifestyles contributed to the split, with the couple choosing to live apart whilst maintaining cordial relations for their son’s benefit.
Ms O’Brien has since begun a relationship with interior designer Adam Fadlé, 38, confirming the romance in September through social media photographs.