From Weatherfield Villain to Italian B&B Host: Stephen Billington's Dramatic Career Change
Nearly three decades after his dramatic exit from the cobbles of Coronation Street, actor Stephen Billington has embarked on a completely different life path, trading the spotlight of British television for the serene landscapes of northern Italy.
A Notorious Soap Villain's Legacy
Stephen Billington first graced British screens in 1998 when he joined the cast of ITV's long-running soap opera Coronation Street. He portrayed Greg Kelly, the long-lost son of Les Battersby, played by Bruce Jones. Greg's arrival in Weatherfield quickly escalated into significant drama as he manipulated relationships for personal gain.
The character became particularly infamous for his abusive relationship with Sally Webster, played by Sally Dynevor. Greg's storyline involved romancing Sally to access an inheritance, followed by a harrowing period of abuse, stalking, and harassment that captivated audiences. His villainous portrayal was so impactful that Billington won the 1999 British Soap Award for Villain of the Year.
Greg Kelly's reign of terror concluded in 1999 when the character was arrested and sent to prison, never to return to the show. Following his departure from Coronation Street, Billington continued his acting career with roles in popular medical dramas Holby City and Doctors, and even appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster Resident Evil.
He later returned to soap opera television, playing Danny Lomax on Channel 4's Hollyoaks between 2013 and 2014. However, these acting roles now represent a distant chapter in his life.
A Complete Lifestyle Transformation in Italy
This week, Channel 4's documentary series A New Life In The Sun revealed Billington's remarkable career transformation. The former actor has completely reinvented himself as a bed and breakfast proprietor in Italy, having purchased properties with the intention of renovating them into guest accommodations.
Billington has acquired two properties with approximately two acres of woodland near the town of Asti in Italy's far north. The purchase, which totalled around £60,000, includes a secluded farmhouse where he plans to live and a two-storey building that he intends to convert into self-catered guest rooms.
Financial Commitment and Emotional Investment
The venture represents a significant financial gamble for the former soap star. Billington invested the proceeds from selling his London apartment into the Italian properties and has already commenced renovation work on the guest accommodation buildings.
In candid moments captured for the documentary, Billington expressed both excitement and apprehension about his new business venture. "I'm certainly daunted by whether the business will go or not because that's always an uncertainty," he shared during filming.
He elaborated further on the pressure he feels, stating: "And until it's up and running, I will have feelings of nervousness about that, because it's so important to me. I need to make it work, because it's do or die, I don't have any other options."
Finding a Personal Haven
Despite the business pressures, Billington has clearly found personal fulfillment in his new Italian surroundings. He described an almost immediate connection with the farmhouse property that would become his home.
"This was actually the first house I looked at," he recalled. "I thought it was breathtaking and then I walked into the glade, and I looked around and I was like this is it, this is my haven."
Demonstrating prudent decision-making despite his emotional attachment, Billington viewed twenty-six other properties before ultimately returning to purchase his initial choice. "You know when it's right!" he exclaimed, reflecting on the purchasing process.
This dramatic lifestyle change marks a complete departure from Billington's previous career in British television. While Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX, its former villain has found an entirely new narrative hundreds of miles away from Weatherfield's famous cobbles.
