Antony Cotton
Encyclopedia
Antony Cotton is an English
actor
and singer best known for his roles in Coronation Street
and the original UK version of Queer as Folk.
at Holcombe Brook in Ramsbottom
.
He has an elder brother, Andrew (born 29 December 1973). Antony attended Oldham Theatre Workshop where he met his longtime friend Anna Friel
. At the same time he studied dance at both the Davies School of Dance and the Lupino School where he was a contemporary of sisters Anna-Jane Casey
and Natalie Casey
. Antony's mum Enid was a childhood friend of Anna and Natalie's dad Barry.
Antony is a passionate supporter of the Terrence Higgins Trust
. He is a patron of the LGF
charity in Manchester, The Albert Kennedy Trust
and also the Queer Up North festival. He is good friends with Brian Dowling
, winner of Big Brother in 2001.
In August 2009, Daniel Kilkelly reported in an article in Digital Spy
that Cotton was "openly gay". and in March 2010 the Daily Mirror reported that Cotton had exchanged rings with his male partner, Peter Eccleston, the nephew of Christopher Eccleston
, in a celebration of their love.
in Coronation Street
. Cotton asked for a part on the show, and created the character with some of the show's writers.
Cotton played Alexander in the original UK version of Queer as Folk. He has also appeared in episodes of Absolutely Fabulous
as the character Damon. On 13 January 2007, Cotton won the second series of ITV
's Soapstar Superstar
. He donated his winning money, £200,000, to the Elton John Aids Foundation
.
In July 2007, it was announced that Cotton would be fronting his own tea time chat show on ITV
. The show, That Antony Cotton Show
, was filmed in front of a live studio audience at Granada Television
studios in Manchester, and combined celebrity chat with topical humour. It was first broadcast on Monday 13 August 2007 at 5pm on ITV; however, following the end of the first series, ITV announced that the show would not return for a second. He is developing several new ideas with ITV. Antony also appeared on Family Fortunes
on 20 September 2008 presented by Vernon Kay
and won £10,000 for his chosen charity. In December 2008, he appeared with his friend and co-star Suranne Jones
on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Cotton is currently taking part in the 11th series
of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
and Derek Jacobi
in the 1998 film Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
. He also appeared in the 1998 film The Wisdom of Crocodiles
.
. He appeared in The Fifteen Streets and The Hobbit
at Manchester's Palace Theatre and Opera House
. The part of Flynn was written for him by his friend Jonathan Harvey
in the original version of Closer to Heaven
.
for his role in Coronation Street. Cotton also won the 2005 Inside Soap Awards
for Best Newcomer and Funniest Performance. 2006 he won (again) the award for Funniest Performance. At the 2007 British Soap Awards
, Cotton was awarded the Best Actor award, which was voted for by the public. Also in 2007 he won Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards
, again voted for by the public. In total he has won 7 awards for his character Sean.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and singer best known for his roles in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
and the original UK version of Queer as Folk.
Early and personal life
Cotton was born in Bury, Greater Manchester. He is the son of actress Enid Dunn. He went to Woodhey High SchoolWoodhey High School
Woodhey High School is a secondary school in Ramsbottom, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester; it was recently made a Specialist Science College. Woodhey High School was built by the Bury LEA in 1979 to replace the old Ramsbottom secondary school...
at Holcombe Brook in Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is situated on the course of the River Irwell, in the West Pennine Moors. Historically within Lancashire, it is located north-northwest of Bury, and north-northwest of Manchester...
.
He has an elder brother, Andrew (born 29 December 1973). Antony attended Oldham Theatre Workshop where he met his longtime friend Anna Friel
Anna Friel
Anna Louise Friel is an English actress. She rose to fame in the UK as Beth Jordache on the Channel 4 soap Brookside.-Early life:...
. At the same time he studied dance at both the Davies School of Dance and the Lupino School where he was a contemporary of sisters Anna-Jane Casey
Anna-Jane Casey
Anna-Jane Casey is an English singer, dancer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre.-Personal life:Casey was born in Salford, Lancashire, England...
and Natalie Casey
Natalie Casey
Natalie Casey is an English actress, television presenter and singer. She is best known for her long running roles playing Carol Groves in the TV series Hollyoaks from 1995 to 2000 and playing Donna Henshaw in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps from 2001 to 2011...
. Antony's mum Enid was a childhood friend of Anna and Natalie's dad Barry.
Antony is a passionate supporter of the Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...
. He is a patron of the LGF
The Lesbian & Gay Foundation
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation is a charity based in Manchester. It was formed with the merger of Healthy Gay Manchester and Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard Services in April 2000....
charity in Manchester, The Albert Kennedy Trust
The Albert Kennedy Trust
The Albert Kennedy Trust is a voluntary organisation based in England, created in 1989 to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual young people who are homeless, living in a hostile environment or in housing crisis...
and also the Queer Up North festival. He is good friends with Brian Dowling
Brian Dowling
Brian Patrick Robert Dowling is an Irish television presenter who rose to fame after being crowned the winner of the second series of UK reality television show Big Brother in 2001. He also won Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, making him the ultimate Big Brother housemate...
, winner of Big Brother in 2001.
In August 2009, Daniel Kilkelly reported in an article in Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
that Cotton was "openly gay". and in March 2010 the Daily Mirror reported that Cotton had exchanged rings with his male partner, Peter Eccleston, the nephew of Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston is an English stage, film and television actor. His films include Let Him Have It, Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, 28 Days Later, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Others, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra...
, in a celebration of their love.
Television
Cotton currently plays barman and factory worker Sean TullySean Tully
Sean Tully, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Antony Cotton, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 13 July 2003. Sean works as a factory machinist, and as a part-time barman in the Rovers Return...
in Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. Cotton asked for a part on the show, and created the character with some of the show's writers.
Cotton played Alexander in the original UK version of Queer as Folk. He has also appeared in episodes of Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
as the character Damon. On 13 January 2007, Cotton won the second series of ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Soapstar Superstar
Soapstar Superstar
Soapstar Superstar was a reality singing competition produced by Granada Television which first aired on British television station ITV in 2006. In the competition, ten soap opera actors perform in front of a celebrity panel, which included Cilla Black, Billy Sammeth and Chris Cowey...
. He donated his winning money, £200,000, to the Elton John Aids Foundation
Elton John AIDS Foundation
Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations that was established by Sir Elton John in 1992 in the US * and 1993 in the UK * supporting innovative HIV/AIDS prevention, education programs, direct care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS.EJAF has...
.
In July 2007, it was announced that Cotton would be fronting his own tea time chat show on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. The show, That Antony Cotton Show
That Antony Cotton Show
That Antony Cotton Show is a British comedy chat show that was broadcast on ITV for one series in 2007. It was presented by Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, and aired on weekdays at 5pm. The show was not broadcast in Northern Ireland, due to UTV's news programme beginning at 5.30pm...
, was filmed in front of a live studio audience at Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
studios in Manchester, and combined celebrity chat with topical humour. It was first broadcast on Monday 13 August 2007 at 5pm on ITV; however, following the end of the first series, ITV announced that the show would not return for a second. He is developing several new ideas with ITV. Antony also appeared on Family Fortunes
Family Fortunes
Family Fortunes is a British game show, based on the American game show Family Feud. The programme ran on ITV from 6 January 1980 to 6 December 2002 before being revived by the same channel in 2006 under the title of All Star Family Fortunes...
on 20 September 2008 presented by Vernon Kay
Vernon Kay
Vernon Charles Kay is a British television presenter, radio DJ, american footballer and former model. He began television presenting on the BBC children's programme FBi, a spin-off of Fully Booked. Since he has presented various programmes, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family...
and won £10,000 for his chosen charity. In December 2008, he appeared with his friend and co-star Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones
Suranne Jones is an English actress. She first rose to prominence playing the role of Karen McDonald in ITV1's soap opera Coronation Street over a period of four years...
on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Cotton is currently taking part in the 11th series
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK series 11)
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! returned for its eleventh series on 13 November 2011. Ant & Dec returned as presenters for the main show, and its spin off show Get Me out of Here.....
of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Film
Cotton made his film debut opposite Daniel CraigDaniel Craig
Daniel Wroughton Craig is an English actor. His early film roles include Elizabeth, The Power of One, A Kid in King Arthur's Court and the television episodes Sharpe's Eagle, Zorro and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Daredevils of the Desert...
and Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
in the 1998 film Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
Love is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon is a 1998 film made for television by the British Broadcasting Corporation . It was written and directed by John Maybury and stars Derek Jacobi, Daniel Craig, and Tilda Swinton....
. He also appeared in the 1998 film The Wisdom of Crocodiles
The Wisdom of Crocodiles
The Wisdom of Crocodiles is a 1998 romantic thriller by Po-Chih Leong starring Jude Law. It is based on the book of the same name by Paul Hoffman.-Cast:Jude Law - Steven Grlscz Elina Löwensohn - Anne Levels...
.
Theatre
Cotton has appeared in several shows at the Oldham ColiseumOldham Coliseum Theatre
Oldham Coliseum Theatre is a theatre in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.Oldham Coliseum is a building-based producing theatre. It has a capacity in its main auditorium of 585 seats; in addition the theatre has a studio with a capacity of 50 seats...
. He appeared in The Fifteen Streets and The Hobbit
The Hobbit
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, better known by its abbreviated title The Hobbit, is a fantasy novel and children's book by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald...
at Manchester's Palace Theatre and Opera House
Palace Theatre, Manchester
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent...
. The part of Flynn was written for him by his friend Jonathan Harvey
Jonathan Harvey (playwright)
Jonathan Harvey is a British playwright whose work has earned multiple awards. He is also a former secondary school English teacher.-Life and works:...
in the original version of Closer to Heaven
Closer to Heaven
Closer to Heaven is a musical by Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys. It was premiered in May 2001 at the Arts Theatre in London, opening to mixed reviews, and ran until 13 October 2001...
.
Awards and recognition
In 2005, Cotton won the Most Popular Newcomer category at the National Television AwardsNational Television Awards
The National Television Awards is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and initiated in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted on by the general public. Because of the way the awards are decided, winners are...
for his role in Coronation Street. Cotton also won the 2005 Inside Soap Awards
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
for Best Newcomer and Funniest Performance. 2006 he won (again) the award for Funniest Performance. At the 2007 British Soap Awards
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
, Cotton was awarded the Best Actor award, which was voted for by the public. Also in 2007 he won Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards
Inside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
, again voted for by the public. In total he has won 7 awards for his character Sean.
Television
- The Big BreakfastThe Big BreakfastThe Big Breakfast was a British light entertainment television show shown on Channel 4 and S4C each weekday morning from 28 September 1992 until 29 March 2002 during which period 2,482 shows were produced. The Big Breakfast was produced by Planet 24, the production company co-owned by former...
- The CopsThe Cops (TV series)The Cops is a British television series made by World Productions for the BBC.The production, set in the fictional town of Stanton in Northern England, was noted for its documentary-style camerawork and uncompromising portrayal of the police force...
- Queer as Folk (1999–2000) Alexander Perry
- Having It OffHaving It OffHaving it Off is a one-off TV comedy series for BBC Choice made by Red Production Company in 2002.It was set at a cheap hairdressing salon in Eccles, Greater Manchester...
Writer, Guy La Trousse - Coronation StreetCoronation StreetCoronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
(2003, 2004–present) Sean TullySean TullySean Tully, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Antony Cotton, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 13 July 2003. Sean works as a factory machinist, and as a part-time barman in the Rovers Return... - Absolutely FabulousAbsolutely FabulousAbsolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
- Soapstar SuperstarSoapstar SuperstarSoapstar Superstar was a reality singing competition produced by Granada Television which first aired on British television station ITV in 2006. In the competition, ten soap opera actors perform in front of a celebrity panel, which included Cilla Black, Billy Sammeth and Chris Cowey...
- Love in The 21st Century
- Burn ItBurn ItBurn It was a drama series, with touches of dark comedy, following the lives of three twenty-somethings in present-day Manchester.-About:The series followed Carl, Andy and Jon as three self-proclaimed Generation X-ers going through life without any real responsibilities to worry them...
- That Antony Cotton ShowThat Antony Cotton ShowThat Antony Cotton Show is a British comedy chat show that was broadcast on ITV for one series in 2007. It was presented by Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton, and aired on weekdays at 5pm. The show was not broadcast in Northern Ireland, due to UTV's news programme beginning at 5.30pm...
(2007) - "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" (2011)
External links
- Antony Cotton at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
. - That Antony Cotton Show at itv.comItv.comitv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...
- Antony Cotton's CV