Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel Osbourne on Coronation Street, has opened up about his life off screen, including a romance with a fellow actor and a diagnosis of essential tremor, a progressive neurological condition that causes shaking.
The 46-year-old actor, who has portrayed Ken Barlow's son since 1995, is currently dating Matthew Martin, also an actor. Mallard introduced Martin at the British Soap Awards in June 2023, and Martin later appeared on Coronation Street as a police officer. Previously, Mallard was romantically linked with co-star Daniel Brocklebank, who plays vicar Billy Mayhew; they dated in 2017 but split two months after going public.
In June 2024, Mallard revealed he has essential tremor, a condition affecting around one million people in Britain. He first noticed a tremor in his left hand at age 14, but it wasn't until his twenties, while performing on stage, that it became problematic. Beta blockers did not help, and he fears it could be career-ending.
Mallard has developed techniques to hide the tremor on set, such as practicing actions repeatedly and breaking them into smaller parts. Holding a pint is his biggest challenge; he often requests a drink that is two-thirds full to avoid spilling. The condition now affects both hands, his arms, neck, and sometimes his voice.
He has faced misunderstandings, with people assuming he has been drinking. Mallard avoids coffee and notes that symptoms worsen with lack of sleep or food. Despite the challenges, he continues to work on Coronation Street, where his character Daniel is currently involved in a storyline with Megan, played by Beth Nixon.
