Tracy Shaw rose to fame as hairdresser Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street during the nineties, before her character was sadly killed off by resident serial killer Richard Hillman.
The actress later revealed the reason for leaving the popular ITV soap, telling daytime talk show Loose Women: "It was a huge pressure just because of the viewing figures [of Coronation street].
"When I had Louie, I used to take him out for a walk with Angela [Griffin] with the pushchairs and it just didn’t feel right to have photographers take pictures of the boys and they haven’t got a choice in this.
"I took some time out just because it all got a little bit too much for me and I needed to respect that my kids were going to be brought up in the world I was living in and I felt really uncomfortable about that."
However, she has recently returned to the world of acting on stage, showing off a glamorous transformation on social media that has sent fans wild.
To celebrate Tracy Shaw's return to the stage, Daily Star has taken a look at the actress' life since leaving Coronation Street.
Secret singing career and Strictly wish
Tracy had huge success on Coronation Street, even being awarded the Rear of The Year accolade in 1996.
However, the star also had a secret singing career alongside her stint on the cobbles.
In 1998, the star released two singles called Ridin' High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon's Happenin' All Over Again, but neither record managed to break into the top 40 in the UK Music Charts.
Tracy has also had a number of roles in TV programmes since leaving Coronation Street, including Mile High, Grease Monkeys, Doctors and Casualty.
She also starred in the 2018 film Monster, as well as stepping back onto the stage to perform in a production of The Cat and The Canary at The Grand Theatre, Leeds.
Tracy recently shocked fans when she presented an award at the 2019 British Soap Awards too, with many taking to social media to say she looked younger than ever.
One fan wrote: "OMG! Maxine Peacock has never aged," while a second added: "Is that Maxine Peacock? omg."
A third added: "Tracy Shaw! Where has she been hiding? And how does she look exactly the same 20 years on?!"
In an interview with Great British Life, the star also revealed that she would love to take part in two very different reality TV programmes if asked.
She said: "I would love to do Strictly or SAS Who Dares Wins. Quite different aren’t they?"
Famous ex
Tracy Shaw had a number of high profile relationships while starring in Coronation Street, including with stage and screen star Darren Day.
It has been reported that the couple got together just two weeks after Darren had split from ex-girlfriend Anna Friel, and not long after that, Darren and Tracy also got engaged.
Darren even revealed to The Sunday Times last year that he had spent £30,000 on an engagement ring for Tracy.
However, it was revealed that the couple had to spend long periods of time apart due to their work, which included Darren touring with the Summer Holiday theatre production and Tracy appearing on Coronation Street.
They later ended their relationship in 1998, with a spokesperson for Tracy saying at the time: "Tracy is naturally very upset the relationship has ended, but she felt she had no choice."
Divorce
After her relationship with Darren Day, Tracy married Robert Ashworth in 2001 in a lavish £100,000 ceremony at Knowsley Hall, Merseyside.
Speaking to OK! Magazine at the time, Tracy told them: "Since I met my husband Robert I feel completely fulfilled.
"That side of my life is totally settled. We can't wait to have a baby."
However the couple later separated in 2004.
The actress then began a relationship with Cisco Sales Manager Ashley Poundall.
Together the couple have two children called Louis and Luca, and live in Caversham Heights in Berkshire.
In an interview with Great British Life, the actress revealed that she was initially told that she could not have children, and that when she gave birth to her two sons, her priority shifted from acting to her family.
She said: "I was told I wouldn’t have children so when I had my two sons in 2005 and 2006, I really wanted to focus on them and be there for them 100% for every milestone in their lives.
"I was in the fortunate position where I could afford to take that time out for them. My priorities changed… it was all about my boys."
Glam transformation
Fans took to social media recently to comment on the star's glamorous transformation for a theatre production, which was worlds away from her Coronation Street character.
Tracy was dressed in a blue velvet fascinator and matching blue and purple dress, with bright red lipstick, for a performance of theatre production The Cat and The Canary, and shared the photo of her costume on Instagram.
She had been performing in the production during the pandemic, and it was one of her first major roles, after stepping away from acting to focus on her family.
However, she has since revealed that producer Bill Kenwright approached her to be in the show, and after missing performing, she jumped at the chance to take part.
Her glam Instagram post was captioned: "Last two shows playing Annabelle West at the Grand Theatre Leeds. We started this play before we’d even heard of Covid, on our second leg of the tour.
"Three lateral tests a week for Covid we’ve been able to open many theatres, and hopefully entertained our audiences with an amazing cast!
"I feel very emotional to say goodbye today to a wonderful part…"
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