‘MY PARENTS WOUND UP IN A CULT'
New UK|April 08, 2024
Actor Emrhys Cooper tells us about his sinister new role in Coronation Street and why the storyline is so close to home
‘MY PARENTS WOUND UP IN A CULT'

Coronation Street's newest face looks set to cause a whole lot of trouble for Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson). Cult mentor Rowan Cunliffe, played by Emrhys Cooper, has been attempting to entice Leanne into the organisation with his motivational seminars and dodgy business plans.

Incredibly, for 39-year-old Emrhys, the storyline is very close to home. "My parents have encountered quite a few of Rowan's type over the years," he says. "I didn't understand it growing up, but as I got older, I witnessed first hand some of the dangers of these types of characters.

"My parents did wind up in a cult," he continues. "It was actually a wellness, fitness, spiritual cult. It presented itself as a kind of workout, feel-good fitness mentality, and it was only as they got further in and gave more money that it became sinister.

My parents are intelligent people - just very open-hearted, and they've been taken advantage of many times." As Emrhys opens up about his personal experiences, he also reveals a harrowing story about his mother.

"She had a prescription for high blood pressure and a holistic doctor told her she could get off her medication with a herbal remedy - but she had a heart attack," he says.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW UKView all
'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'
New UK

'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'

Bad Sisters returns for a second series with the Garvey siblings in the spotlight again after the dismembered body of JP's father turns up

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'
New UK

'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'

Interior Design Masters host Alan Carr chats about meeting Pudsey Bear, Simon Cowell's toilet paper and his own dubious home purchases

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING
New UK

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING

E-cigarettes have never been more popular, but vaping isn't as risk-free as people might think it is

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too
New UK

Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too

Carly Gregg fired her mum's gun as she searched her bedroom for drugs

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'I took one huge gasp and ran in'
New UK

'I took one huge gasp and ran in'

Lifesaver Emily Greenwood tells new how she rescued two people swept out to sea

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'Clair's married to the biggest fool'
New UK

'Clair's married to the biggest fool'

James and Clair Buckley on having fun at home and their hilarious new podcast

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Louise set for best year yet
New UK

Louise set for best year yet

As loved-up pop star Louise Redknapp celebrates her 50th birthday, a source tells new that marriage 'could be on the cards'

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'
New UK

'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'

Jamie Borthwick reveals how he juggles filming for EastEnders alongside long rehearsal days on Strictly

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024
It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'
New UK

It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'

Reality star Molly Smith on manifesting her new lingerie campaign and setting up home with boyfriend Tom Clare

time-read
4 mins  |
November 11, 2024
Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'
New UK

Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'

After her turbulent split from James Haskell, Chloe Madeley is learning to love herself again, a source tells new

time-read
3 mins  |
November 11, 2024