Rob Mallard, the actor who has portrayed the complex character of Daniel Osbourne on ITV's Coronation Street since 2016, leads a life away from the cobbles marked by both personal joy and a significant health challenge.
Love on and off the Cobbles
On screen, Daniel Osbourne's love life in Weatherfield is perpetually dramatic. Currently, he is deeply involved with Megan, played by Beth Nixon, a character with a dark secret involving grooming young Will Driscoll. Off screen, Mallard's romantic life has also seen its share of headlines. He is currently in a relationship with fellow actor Matthew Martin.
The couple made their public debut at the British Soap Awards in June 2023, with Mallard sharing a heartfelt photo from the red carpet. More recently, Martin appeared on Coronation Street himself, taking on the role of a police officer. Prior to this, Mallard was romantically linked to co-star Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Billy Mayhew. Their relationship was confirmed in 2017 but ended just two months after they went public.
A Devastating Health Diagnosis
In a deeply personal revelation in June 2024, Rob Mallard shared that he has been diagnosed with essential tremor, a progressive neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking. The actor first noticed a slight tremor in his left hand at the age of 14 and received a formal diagnosis after a year of tests. The condition, which affects an estimated one million people in Britain, has gradually worsened.
Mallard explained that the tremor now affects both hands, his arms, neck, and sometimes even his voice. It poses unique challenges for his acting career, particularly with precise actions like holding a full pint glass on set. "Professionally it could be career-ending," he admitted, though he has developed techniques to manage it, such as breaking movements down and practising them repeatedly.
Living with and Raising Awareness
The actor faces daily misunderstandings due to his condition, from cashiers assuming he has had too much to drink to struggles with everyday tasks like eating or using gaming controllers. Symptoms are exacerbated by lack of sleep or food, and he avoids caffeine. While a storyline incorporating the tremor into his character has been suggested, Mallard is hesitant, not wanting to be pigeonholed.
Looking ahead, he may consider focused ultrasound treatment. For now, he is working with the National Tremor Foundation to raise awareness and combat the stigma he felt for years. "Eventually I just had to choose to own it," Mallard stated, encouraging others not to feel shame. His journey continues both in Weatherfield's dramatic storylines and in his courageous off-screen battle.
