Real life of ITV Corrie's Kirk Sutherland actor Andy Whyment - traumatic birth story and stunning wife

Andy Whyment, or should we say Andrew, is now somewhat of a Coronation Street staple. The actor has spent the past 22 years on our screens as the loveable Kirk Sutherland, and that's not including his uncredited appearances.

He actually appeared in the ITV soap in 1990 and 1997 and was just referred to as Mark. Earlier this year, fans were baffled when they caught an episode of Classic Corrie and were quick to spot Maria had called Kirk a different name in their earlier scenes.

He also previously appeared in the Salford-based programme as Wayne, a guy who was simply purchasing some fireworks in The Kabin. But it wasn't until 2000 that he became a regular character.

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Salford-born actor Andy has since cemented himself as a firm favourite among Corrie viewers. Away from the street, his first credited part was in Cracker in 1993 and he also had minor roles in The Cops, Heartbeat and Where the Heart Is.

But the actor is also probably known for appearing as Darren Sinclair-Jones in the much-loved BBC hit sitcom The Royle Family before landing the role of Kirk. Then, in 2019, Andy captured fans' hearts further when he appeared in the nineteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! where he finished in second place to Jacqueline Jossa.

Around the time of his appearance on the hit ITV reality show, it was revealed that Andy had a rather traumatic arrival into the world 41 years ago. As a newborn he underwent life-saving surgery moments after his birth to fix a collapsed lung, without which, the actor might not be here today.

Speaking to The Mirror while her son was in the Australian jungle,