Coronation Street’s Katherine Kelly speaks candidly about an unusual accident

Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has revealed a freak accident nearly ended her award-winning career.

The actress, who played barmaid Becky McDonald at Rovers for six years, was 19 when she fell through a door at a friend’s house and caught her tailbone, the bone at the base of her spine, on the corner of a table.

The 43-year-old was told at the time she may need a wheelchair after the injury went untreated for 18 months.

Injury: Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has revealed a freak accident almost ended her award-winning career

Katherine first spoke publicly about her injury on the Three Little Words podcast.

She credited a physical therapist she had at the time: “If I hadn’t found him, I would have had surgery. I had a conversation with a pro about a wheelchair.”

Katherine, who studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, said: “I couldn’t predict when it would hit. It was almost like I was lying because I was in pain one day and not the next. I knew I had to drop out of drama school.

“Having this pain every day and not being able to walk… It was nerve damage. What made it worse was that it had gone untreated for 18 months.

Accident: The actress, who played barmaid Becky McDonald at Rovers for six years, was 19 when she fell through a door at a friend’s house and caught her tailbone, the bone at the base of her spine, on the corner of a table

Katherine added: “My mum would send me her migraine pills. I was in massive pain. I would take the pills at the same time as gym class.

“The base of my spine had twisted to compensate for this from taking so many painkillers.”

She revealed that physio with Kevin Ludlow changed her life: “He believed in rehab exercise. Long term he said I needed 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 slim actress — especially back when I was with Corrie — ‘What’s your diet? What is your secret?’

“I used to really stay away from those questions because the truth was I got into exercise because it would keep me healthy.”

Career: The Barnsley-born actress, who initially signed on for 12 episodes, directed more than 700 episodes during her unexpectedly long stint on Coronation Street, which ran until 2012

Katherine got her big break in 2006 when she landed the coveted role of Becky McDonald on the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street.

The Barnsley-born actress, who initially signed on for 12 episodes, directed more than 700 episodes during her unexpectedly long stint, which ran into 2012.

She then found even greater success, landing big roles in Cheat, Liar, Mr Selfridge and Gentleman Jack.

It comes after news broke that Katherine is reportedly dating Line Of Duty star Tony Pitts.

The soap star is said to have found love for the 60-year-old actor two years after splitting from her IT consultant ex-husband Ryan Clark.

The new couple went public with their romance at the Dancing With Heroes ball at the Landmark Hotel in London on Sunday night.

Katherine and Tony have “been dating for several months and have even met each other’s friends and families”.

New romance: Katherine is dating Line Of Duty star Tony Pitts and the new couple go 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 spotlight but have attended a number of events together this year, including Royal Ascot and the ITV Palooza earlier this month.

“At the Dancing With Heroes ball, Kelly couldn’t keep her hands off Tony and spent the entire evening stroking the back of his head.

“They met each other’s families and went on holiday together with their respective children earlier this year. Katherine is incredibly happy with Tony and it’s clear they are a really good match.

The new couple are believed to have first met while working together on a short film titled Affection in 2019.

Tony played Archie Brooks in Emmerdale for a decade until 1993, taking on the bent-copper role of DCS Lester Hargreaves in the hit BBC drama Line of Duty.

Former flame: 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 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 married in a ceremony in Las Vegas two years later.

Katherine and Ryan have two daughters; Orla, seven, and Rose, four.

A spokesman said at the time: “Katherine and Ryan have made the difficult decision to separate. They see it as a positive step for both of them and the breakup is completely amicable.

“Her children are her top priority and they will continue to be parents together as good friends.”

Leading role: Tony played Archie Brooks in Emmerdale for a decade until 1993 and took on the role of bent copper DCS Lester Hargreaves in hit BBC drama Line of Duty (pictured)