Coronation Street star Emrhys Cooper says he grew closer to his dad by talking about his current storyline after sharing his own experience of cults.

Viewers first saw the actor in the ITV soap as Rowan Cunlifee back in March when Leanne Battersby accompanied Simon Barlow to one of his seminars at the Chariot Square Hotel. Leanne was taken aback when the group mentor approached her and offered her some unsolicited advice and she has since been recruited by Rown into the Institute.

Some Corrie fans may not know that Emrhys has his own experiences of Rowan-types through his own parents, who found themselves in and out of groups over the years.

Now, Emrhys, 39, has spoken about how as the storyline has unfolded, and continues to unfold, on-screen, his relationship with his dad has only blossomed. Asked if he enjoys playing Rowan, the former Desperate Housewives star replied: “I’ve honestly had the best six months playing Rowan.

“I’ve spoken in other interviews [about how] my parents were victim to Rowan-type characters and I’ve been around this type of character, not necessarily in a cult, but in life, I’ve experienced conmen and I really love how the Corrie writers are doing this realistically.

“He’s not an archvillain. Normally when you think cult leader you think a guy in a white robe, being an archvillain, and I think it’s very realistic how he [Rowan] is relatable and charming and that shows how easily people could be potentially manipulated because he’s not an obvious villain.”

He added: “So it’s been really fun to play, knowing what he’s capable of and given my personal connection and seeing the dangers first-hand with my parents, it really left a lot of scars on them…

“My parents went through this experience and I’d left home at this point, they didn’t really tell me, they were embarrassed about what had happened and alluded to some things. I went to America and never really discussed it with them. Then I got this audition and I’ve always been fascinated with cults, I wrote and directed a movie about a wellness retreat and a guru that goes horribly wrong… It was loosely based on my personal experiences so when I got this audition and the description [of Rowan], I was like, ‘No way! I know this character. Let’s do this!’

“Coronation Street didn’t know anything about my history with cults or my fascination with cults [but] I just knew the character really well. So I prayed and just before Christmas it worked out.

“And it was interesting, me and my dad never really spoke that much in-depth about his experience and I’ve been in America for a long time and we weren’t that close but this role has actually brought me and my dad closer together. I have asked him questions and asked his advice and it was just really great.

“This role is important to me and hopefully, it will spread awareness about the dangers of these types of characters and organisations.” He later added: “My goal is to make it as truthful as possible.”