The cobbles of Weatherfield seem a world away from the glitz of the Oscars, but one Coronation Street stalwart has a surprising cinematic pedigree. Actor Daniel Brocklebank, beloved by soap fans as the gentle vicar Billy Mayhew, once shared the screen with Hollywood royalty in an Academy Award-winning masterpiece years before arriving on the famous street.
From Silver Screen Sam to Street Vicar
Long before offering counsel at the Kabin or in the Rovers Return, a teenage Brocklebank landed a role in the 1998 romantic period drama Shakespeare in Love. At just 18 years old, he played the fresh-faced Sam Goose, a young actor cast as Juliet in Shakespeare's fictional play. His character's part is famously usurped by Gwyneth Paltrow's Viola de Lesseps, who auditions in disguise as a man, with the two sharing an on-screen kiss.
The film, which also starred Judi Dench, Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, and Ben Affleck, became a critical and awards season juggernaut. In 1999, it won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Gwyneth Paltrow securing Best Actress and Judi Dench winning Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I.
A Career Forged on Stage and Screen
Following his early foray into Hollywood, Daniel Brocklebank continued to build a respectable filmography. He appeared in the acclaimed 2002 drama The Hours alongside Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, and featured in The Hole with Keira Knightley. However, it is on British television where he has become a household name.
Since joining the cast of ITV's Coronation Street in 2014, his portrayal of Billy Mayhew has made him a fixture of the show. His prior TV credits include notable roles in Holby City, Emmerdale, Waterloo Road, and The Bill.
Overcoming Barriers and a Soap Exit
In a candid revelation, Brocklebank has spoken about how his decision to come out as gay in 1998 impacted his early career trajectory, particularly in Hollywood. He told The Mirror that after going public with his sexuality, he was advised by managers in Los Angeles that it would harm his prospects.
"I stopped being screen-tested for the heterosexual male leads and I was either the gay best friend or the character parts," he explained. "It was more in America than in Britain, but it was still very prevalent." He has stated that a lack of visible gay role models during his 1980s childhood was a key reason for his openness, hoping to help shift societal attitudes.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the actor will be departing Coronation Street after 11 years. His exit, slated for 2026, is reportedly part of a major, plot-driven storyline. His partner, Jordan Coulthard, publicly expressed dismay at the decision, calling it a "huge mistake" on social media. A show representative stated the departure is purely narrative-driven, with an insider teasing a "sensational storyline" for Billy's farewell.
Daniel Brocklebank's journey underscores a diverse career path, from an Oscar-winning film set with Gwyneth Paltrow to over a decade as one of Weatherfield's most compassionate residents, proving that talent can indeed bridge the gap between Hollywood and a Manchester cobbled street.
