Alan Halsall takes his new life as a single man light-heartedly after a quip on Instagram about his split from Tisha Merry.

The Tyrone Dobbs actor met the actress on the set of Coronation Street, where she portrayed waitress Steph Britton for five years from 2013 to 2018, and the pair embarked on a relationship shortly the year following her exit from the ITV soap. They announced their split in February after five years of romance.

Three months after their split, Alan took to his Instagram story this Sunday, May 26, as he shared a moment with his daughter Sienna-Rae. The 10-year-old later bonded with a dog but the randy pup quickly tried to hump her famous father, prompting the 41-year old soap star to make a quip about single life.

Sharing a photo of his new pal, Alan cheekily wrote, pairing the caption with a face in hand emoji: “Apparently we’re not best friends. Most action I’ve had in a while ffs fml.” He then posted another snap in the dog’s company, writing: “New Tinder profile picture”, as it’s clear he could be ready to dive back into the dating pool.

Alan and Tisha were said to have parted ways after “the pressure got to them”, according to one close source. “Alan and Tisha had a lot of love for each other and had really similar interests, enjoying socialising and going on holiday together”, the insider told The Sun at the time.

“But they started to drift apart and feel the pressure of making their relationship work get on top of them. They realised they weren’t on the same page and splitting up felt like the best option.

The actors have since been said to be “focusing on themselves” and surrounding themselves with “their own friends.” Tisha has also “moved out of Alan’s home around a month ago and is throwing herself into work.”

Alan, who has portrayed Weatherfield mechanic for more than two decades in Corrie, was previously married to Hollyoaks star Lucy-Jo Hudson with whom he shares his daughter Sienna-Rae, from 2009 to 2018.

Prior to his split from Tisha, Alan was forced to pull out of I’m A Celebrity after a huge knee injury which left him in need of a serious reconstruction procedure. “ACL Reconstruction surgery. Well, On Friday I underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. I have been told the surgery went really well”, Alan wrote in an Instagram post showing him laying in bed, holding his thumbs up as he recovered from his operation.

“I know I have a long 9-12 months of rehabilitation ahead of me but I’m sure with the support of family & friends I’ll get there”, he added. He has since been tipped to star in the upcoming series of the reality show.