Catherine Tyldesley

Catherine Mary Ann Tyldesley (born 17 September 1983) is an English actress, known for her roles as Iris Moss in the BBC drama Lilies, Eva Price on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2011–2018, 2025–present) and Karen Norris in the BBC sitcom Scarborough (2019). She also appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 and has appeared as First Officer Kate Woods in The Good Ship Murder since 2023.

Early life Catherine Mary Ann Tyldesley was born on 17 September 1983 in Walkden, Greater Manchester. She attended St. George's RC High School and Pendleton College before training at the Birmingham School of Acting (formerly the Birmingham School of Speech & Drama), graduating in 2005. She also appeared in the comedy television pilot Guantanamo Phil, part of the Channel 4 Comedy Showcase 2009.

In 2010, Tyldesley played the role of Abi Peterson in Emmerdale for two months. Tyldesley sings in the range of mezzo-soprano.

Coronation Street

Tyldesley played a midwife in an episode broadcast on 13 January 2006. In May 2011, Tyldesley was cast in the regular role of Eva. The actress began filming her first scenes that month. Tyldesley said she felt "nervous" when she first arrived on set. Speaking to What's on TV, she said that she had a "mini freak out" when filming her first scenes in The Rovers. Tyldesley added that Coronation Street is "absolutely legendary" and is thrilled to be a part of the cast. After signing a new six-month contract, an executive said that Eva will be involved in some "cracking" storylines towards the end of the year. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Tyldesley said "I've always wanted to be in Corrie. So when I got the phone call to tell me that I'd got the part, I was thrilled to bits." She wears the stuff I would never have the nerve to wear. It's weird, sometimes you just feel really glam and it's a nice feeling. Then other times you feel she's gone slightly overboard, ridiculous big hair and fake eyelashes – like TOWIE on Red Bull!|4=Tyldesley explains Eva's sense of dress (2012)

Tyldesley will reprise the role of Eva in 2025.

Other work In 2016, she released her debut studio album, Rise.

In 2019, Tyldesley participated in the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing and was partnered with Johannes Radebe. They were the fifth couple to eliminated. Also that year, she starred in the BBC comedy series Scarborough as Karen Norris.

In 2022, Tyldesley appeared in an episode of McDonald and Dodds as Kate Porter.

In 2023, she began appearing in The Good Ship Murder.

Personal life Tyldesley's second cousin is former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.

In August 2014, Tyldesley announced she and her partner Tom Pitfield were expecting their first child. On 30 August 2014, Tyldesley announced via Twitter that she was engaged to Pitfield. She gave birth to son Alfie James on 18 March 2015. On 21 May 2016, Tyldesley married Pitfield. In October 2021, Tyldesley announced she and Pitfield were expecting their second child. She gave birth to her daughter, Iris Ella, on 19 April 2022.

Birthday cakes dispute In August 2023, Tyldesley spoke out on Instagram about claims that she had, via a party planner, asked bakery owner Rebecca Severs of the Three Little Birds bakery in Keighley, West Yorkshire, to make two large cakes and 100 cupcakes for her 40th birthday party in exchange for publicity. Rebecca Severs had published her response to the party planner on Facebook, where she said: "Unfortunately, as my mortgage provider doesn't take payment in the form of 'promotion on their socials', and my staff can't feed their kids with 'exposure on Instagram', I'll have to decline your very generous offer."

Filmography Television

Guest appearances Loose Women (2011) – Guest I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here Now! (2011) – Guest panellist Olly: Life on Murs (2012) – Herself Lorraine (2012) – Guest All Star Family Fortunes (17 February 2013 & 28 December 2013) – Contestant Through the Keyhole (21 September 2013 & 17 February 2018) – Guest panellist Tonight (2015–2017) – Herself Virtually Famous (2016) – Guest panellist Catch Phrase (2018) – Contestant Loose Women (2018) – Guest panellist Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (2019) – Contestant Strictly Come Dancing (2019) – Contestant; series 17 The Crystal Maze (2019) – Adventurer Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2019) – Contestant The Weakest Link (2021-2023) – Contestant; Moneybags (2022) – Contestant; Celebrity Specials The One Show (2023) – Guest Richard Osman's House of Games (2024) – Contestant; 5 episodes

Discography Studio album Title Details Rise Released: 15 August 2016 Label: United Agents Records Formats: CD, digital download

Awards and nominations