Catherine Mary Ann Tyldesley (born 17 September 1983) is an English actress, known for her roles as Iris Moss in the BBC drama Lilies (2007), Eva Price on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from (2011–2018) and Karen Norris in the BBC sitcom Scarborough (2019). She also appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.
Tyldesley played a midwife in an episode broadcast on 13 January 2006. In May 2011, Tyldesley was cast in the regular role of Eva.[9] The actress began filming her first scenes that month.[9] During an interview with Digital Spy, Tyldesley revealed that there had been a lot of competition for the role of Eva and that she felt "incredibly lucky" to have secured the part.[10] Tyldesley said she felt "nervous" when she first arrived on set.[11] Speaking to What's on TV, she said that she had a "mini freak out" when filming her first scenes in The Rovers. Tyldesley added that Coronation Street is "absolutely legendary" and is thrilled to be a part of the cast.[11] After impressing producers, it was later confirmed that Tyldesley was to be kept on as a permanent member of the cast.[12] After signing a new six-month contract, an executive said that Eva will be involved in some "cracking" storylines towards the end of the year.[12] In May 2012, Tyldesley expressed her desire for a long-term stint on the show.[13] Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Tyldesley said "I've always wanted to be in Corrie. So when I got the phone call to tell me that I'd got the part, I was thrilled to bits."[13] She also added that Eva has got "so much scope".[13]
Before she appeared on screen, Eva was described as being "feisty".[9] Tyldesley revealed more about her character, saying "Eva is a little bit of a princess! She's been spoiled rotten, so she's somewhat high maintenance and a little bit of a drama queen. She's definitely used to getting her own way."[10] The actress said her character adores her mother and they share a great relationship.[10] When Eva enters the show, her circumstances force her to be more angry than she normally is. Tyldesley said that Eva does have a softer side, which she believed viewers would see in the future.[10] When asked why Eva and Karl do not get along, Tyldesley said "I think it's because they're both quite similar. When Eva first joins the street, she's had a little bit of turmoil with past relationships and things like that, so I think she feels like she wants to be quite selfish at the moment, which annoys Karl. But she's always been full of self-importance because she's always been spoiled – she's not known any different."[10] Tyldesley revealed that Eva is not a lesbian character, despite a newspaper report, and that she definitely loves the boys.[10] When asked about Eva's type, Tyldesley said that they would have to be "on her wavelength" as Eva gets bored and frustrated with people who are not on her level.[10] In May 2012, Tyldesley commented that Eva's glamorous lifestyle can be "straining" and she enjoys time off work so she can wear normal and more comfortable clothes.[14]
She wears the stuff I would never have the nerve to wear. It's weird, sometimes you just feel really glam and it's a nice feeling. Then other times you feel she's gone slightly overboard, ridiculous big hair and fake eyelashes – like TOWIE on Red Bull!
— Tyldesley explains Eva's sense of dress (2012)[14]
In December 2017, it was announced that Tyldesley had decided to leave the series; her final scenes aired on 3 August 2018.[15][16]
Other work
In 2016, she released her debut studio album, Rise.[17]
Tyldesley's second cousin is former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.[20]
In August 2014, Tyldesley announced she and her partner Tom Pitfield were expecting their first child.[21] On 30 August 2014, Tyldesley announced via Twitter that she was engaged to Pitfield.[22] She gave birth to son Alfie James on 18 March 2015. On 21 May 2016, Tyldesley married Pitfield. In October 2021, Tyldesley announced she and Pitfield were expecting their second child.[23] She gave birth to her daughter, Iris Ella, on 19 April 2022.
'Cake gate' drama
In August 2023, Tyldesley spoke out on Instagram about claims that she had, via a party planner, asked bakery owner Rebecca Severs of the Three Little Birds bakery in Keighley, West Yorkshire, to make two large cakes and 100 cupcakes for her 40th birthday party in exchange for publicity.[24]
Severs published her response to the party planner on Facebook, where she said: "Unfortunately, as my mortgage provider doesn't take payment in the form of 'promotion on their socials', and my staff can't feed their kids with 'exposure on Instagram', I'll have to decline your very generous offer."[24] Tyldesley said that she had no idea the emails were being sent and said that the Leeds-based event management agency and party planner NVRLND, who were involved, were "an amazing company", who had supplied her in the past with performers, and that they were "completely misrepresented in this matter". She added: 'I hope the cake lady got the exposure she was craving' in a response that was widely criticised online.[25][26]
