Tina O’Brien is once again at the centre of a major storyline on Coronation Street.

The 40-year-old , who is well-known for her role as Sarah Barlow (nee Platt) in the ITV soap, has been busy on the cobbles lately. The character of Sarah was initially played by Leah King and Lynsay King when she was born to Gail Platt and Brian Tilsley in 1987.

Sarah and her older brother Nick were later adopted by Martin Platt when he married Gail in 1991. Tina took over the role when Sarah turned 12 on-screen in 1999. Throughout the years, Sarah has been involved in numerous dramatic storylines, including giving birth to her first child, Bethany, at 13.

Her character has also been being kidnapped by her psychotic stepfather Richard Hillman, suffering the loss of her son Billy shortly after his birth, and witnessing the murder of Callum Logan by her sister-in-law Kylie. More recently, viewers have seen Sarah having an affair behind her husband Adam Barlow’s back and miscarrying Damon Hay’s child.

Damon is now in prison and has ended his relationship with Sarah. After paying off her daughter’s returned groomer Nathan Curtis, Sarah will soon be taking matters into her own hands and attempting to bring him to justice for the murder of Lauren Bolton, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Tina O’Brien, who plays Sarah Platt on Coronation Street, has opened up about her character’s involvement in the gripping storyline that started back in February with the disappearance of teenager Lauren, portrayed by Cait Fitto

Discussing her enjoyment of the plot, Tina said: “Absolutely, originally Sarah was quite separate to the Lauren storyline, it seemed to have nothing to do with her, but the second that Nathan resurfaced it brought her into the fold.”

She added: “It’s this want and need to find Lauren, to know if she’s alive or dead and to know if it’s Nathan who’s done this to her. So I’m really enjoyed being part of it.”

Having grown up on-screen, viewers have watched Tina evolve from a young actress into a seasoned professional. Before landing the role of Sarah Platt over two decades ago, Tina appeared as Claire in the CITV hit Children’s Ward in 1997.

She then joined the cast of the Salford-based soap in 1999, where her character became embroiled in a controversial pregnancy storyline at just 12 years old, leading to the birth of her on-screen daughter Bethany. Now 40, Tina took a break from the cobbles in 2008, and reflecting on her decision to leave at that time.

She said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision to make. I love playing Sarah and have had an amazing seven-and-a-half years in Coronation Street, but I feel that the time has come to see what else is out there for me as an actress.”

Tina O’Brien, has had a big career on the small screen, with memorable roles including Bex Fisher in BBC One’s Waterloo Road. Her acting credits extend to appearances in Casualty, Doctors, Blue Murder, and Clocking Off.

Reflecting on her journey with Corrie, she told The Mirror in 2021: “I think I got a three month contract to begin with and I was just hoping to get through the first three months here and hopefully stay. I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am and be part of such an amazing family.”

Beyond the drama of Weatherfield, Tina’s personal life has also been intertwined with the show, having dated fellow Corrie star Ryan Thomas, who played her on-screen ex-husband Jason Grimshaw, from 2003 until 2009. This followed shortly after her relationship with Bruno Langley, known for his role as Todd Grimshaw, ended.