@globalbeatmedia01: Darren Day has revealed how his decision to leave actress Anna Friel for Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw earned him a reputation that damaged his career and cost him fans. The 58-year-old singer and actor had been in a relationship with Brookside star Anna for three years before their romance ended in 1997. But Darren has now admitted that he had already met Tracy and was immediately attracted to her. Speaking on the Suddenly Single podcast, Darren explained that they met at a press night while Tracy was playing Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street. He admitted he ended his relationship with Anna because he wanted to pursue something with Tracy. The fallout was swift. Darren said his manager had warned him against being photographed with Tracy because of the potential damage to his public image. But just days later, they went on a date in Manchester, and news of the romance soon spread through the press. At the time, Darren was starring in the stage production of Summer Holiday, performing for an audience he believed included many teenage girls and housewives. He feared the revelations would change how those fans saw him. He later described the controversy as the beginning of the end for parts of his career, claiming ticket sales suffered and his fanbase began to disappear. Darren and Tracy eventually became engaged in 1998, but their relationship ended soon afterward. Looking back, his story shows how one personal decision can quickly become a public controversy when fame puts every relationship under a spotlight. \#DarrenDay #AnnaFriel #TracyShaw #CelebrityRelationships #showbiznews

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Wednesday 14 October 2026 12:06:00 GMT