Coronation Street star Andy Whyment, who has played factory worker Kirk Sutherland on the ITV show since 2000, has been flooded with support from his co-stars as he shared a sweet relationship update. The 44-year-old’s character has had a turbulent time recently with his estranged wife Beth Tinker (Lisa George) leaving Weatherfield and the death of his stepson Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), but off-screen, his life is far more settled with his wife of 18 years, Nicola. The couple share two children and they celebrated the landmark anniversary on Monday, June 23, and the couple’s icon took to Instagram to mark the occasion.

Taking to Instagram, the star, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in 2019, shared several snaps of the couple and captioned them: “18 years married to @nicski31 Happy Anniversary babe Love You Forever xxx.” His Coronation Street co-stars were thrilled for the pair and took to the comments to congratulate them on reaching such a significant anniversary.

His former on-screen wife Lisa George commented: “Happy anniversary mate.”

Meanwhile, Samia Longchambon, who plays his on-screen sister Maria Windass, wrote, “Happy anniversary, guys!” followed by a red love heart emoji.

Claire Sweeney (Cassie Plummer), Alan Halsall (Tyrone Dobbs), Sally Dyvenor (Sally Metcalfe) and Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) all chimed in: “Happy Anniversary.”

Kym Marsh, who co-starred with Andy until her departure from the show in 2019, added, “Ahh, happy anniversary, you two,” and she included a red love heart emoji.

Andrew and Nicola married in 2007 in a glitzy ceremony attended by their celebrity friends, which was covered by OK!

They share a son and a daughter named Thomas, born in 2009 and Hollie, born in 2011.

Speaking about his wife in OK! in 2017, he admitted he is a lucky man. He noted: “I’ve been punching above my weight for years – she’s gorgeous! I’m a very lucky bloke. We’ve been together 14 years and we just don’t argue. We get on so well.”