Coronation Street actor Andrew Whyment has marked his son Tom's 18th birthday with a heartfelt social media post. The star, known for playing Kirk Sutherland, shared a carousel of photos spanning Tom's life on Instagram.
Andrew, who shares Tom with wife Nichola Willis, wrote: 'Today you turn 18 @tomwhyment. Just want you to know that we couldn't be any prouder of the man you've become. Happy Birthday son have the best day. We love you very much'
Co-stars send birthday wishes
Several of Andrew's Coronation Street co-stars commented on the post. Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, wrote: 'Happy birthday @tomwhyment. Have a top day mate. Al & Sienna x'
Tanisha Gorey, who plays Asha Alahan, said: 'Happy 18th Tom!!' while Amy Robbins, who plays Christina Boyd, added: 'Happy birthday to yr fully grown up Tom! It's scary how quickly it goes, isn't it ??' Liam McCheyne, who plays Dylan Wilson, wrote: 'Happy birthday champ!' Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas, who play Sarah Platt and Jason Grimshaw, both added love heart emojis.
Some commenters noted how Tom now towers over his father in recent photos. @lucyblackcelebrant wrote: 'Happy birthday. It's wild when oor bairns outgrow us eh (in height)' while @leicesterteacher added: 'What happened between pics 13 & 14? Did you sit him in a grow bag!!!? What a handsome young man and a gorgeous family you have'
Recent family milestones
It comes just a week after Andrew celebrated his daughter Hollie's 16th birthday. He shared photos of her as a toddler and a recent snap, captioned: 'Happy 16th Birthday to our beautiful daughter @hols.whymentx. We love you so much and couldn't be prouder of you, have an amazing day xxx'
Coronation Street co-stars Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva Price, and Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, also sent birthday wishes to Hollie.
Long-running Corrie career
Andrew has played Kirk Sutherland since 2000, marking 26 years on the soap. He previously told Inside Soap in 2022: 'If Corrie will have me, I'd love to be there, It's my bread and butter and I will be there until they tell me Kirk is no longer required.'
He added: 'When you first start you take each day as it comes. Even now I still don't take it for granted, as I've seen so many people come and go. Every year when I get a new contract, my wife and I raise a glass to say 'cheers' – as that's another year off the mortgage.'
Reflecting on his fame, he said: 'When I was on The Royle Family, I really didn't realise how big that show was. But when you go into Coronation Street it's huge, and I can't get away with going unnoticed – as soon as people hear my voice, they know its Kirk from Coronation Street.'
He also said: 'I still find it surreal, although at the end of the day, I'm just doing a job that I've always loved. Even now, when I go through the barriers at work, I still get a buzz thinking, 'I'm going to be on the cobbles for the day.''
On comparing himself to his character, Andrew said: 'I like to think that I'm as lovable as Kirk is, and that I'm loyal as well. To be honest, I have quite a boring life! I do my job, come home, go to play golf now and again and go to Old Trafford.'
