Nicholas Cochrane played Andy McDonald in Coronation Street from 1989, but where is the actor now as the ITV soap kills off his on-screen dad Jim McDonald?
Coronation Street’s Andy McDonald actor now including very different job(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Coronation Street is poised to kill off Jim McDonald this week – but what became of the actor who portrayed his son Andy?
Andy (Nicholas Cochrane) first appeared on the ITV soap back in 1989, arriving in Weatherfield alongside mum Liz (Beverley Callard), dad Jim (Charlie Lawson) and brother Steve (Simon Gregson).
The McDonald family wasted little time in stirring up trouble on the cobbles. Andy himself became embroiled in numerous major storylines throughout his tenure.
His romantic endeavours proved catastrophic, with failed relationships involving several Coronation Street characters including Amy Nelson (Louise Duprey) and Paula Maxwell (Judy Brook). He also held a position at the Rovers and found himself caught up in Gerry Turner’s (Keith Woodason) armed siege.
Nevertheless, actor Nicholas was compelled to depart the soap alongside other prominent characters when a new producer took the helm in 1997. Andy’s exit storyline saw him relocating to Spain to take up a teaching position, reports the Daily Star.
The performer has made several return visits over the years, with guest appearances as Andy in 2000 and 2004. His most recent appearance came in 2009, when Andy came back for Steve’s wedding to Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly).
Regarding Andy’s father Jim, his last appearance was in 2018. In Monday’s episode (February 23), however, Steve learns his estranged father has been hospitalised.
Later in the week, he receives the devastating news that Jim has passed away. Following his departure from Coronation Street, Nicholas maintained a presence on television.
He featured in the ITV police drama Heartbeat, portraying golfer Barry Scripps, and in 2019 appeared in Doctors as Dean Telford, a father indebted to a local businessman.
Nicholas also ventured into theatre, joining the nationwide tour of Spring and Port Wine with The Middle Ground Theatre Company. He subsequently moved into TV presenting, appearing on Granada TV and MUTV, where he interviewed A-list footballers including Roy Keane and David Beckham.
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Beyond television, Nicholas has presented radio programmes for Talksport and BBC5 Live. Outside of his professional life, Nicholas resides in Manchester with his wife Denise and their two children. In his leisure time, he now enjoys watching and participating in various sports.
Meanwhile, in 2020, Nicholas discussed the possibility of returning to Coronation Street. He told the Distinct Nostalgia podcast: “It would be good if the boys got back in touch and Andy ends up back in Weatherfield.
“It would be good if Steve needed an organ [transplant] or there were some reason why one of us stays and one goes. That would be best for me … it would be a good storyline.”
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Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX