Former soap opera star Adam Rickitt proved his enduring heartthrob status at Manchester Pride on Sunday, taking the stage to perform his 1999 single "I Breathe Again." The 48-year-old, known for his roles in "Coronation Street" and "Hollyoaks," surprised the audience by stripping down to reveal a muscular six-pack and a tattooed torso during his performance.
Rickitt, who first gained fame as Nick Tilsley on "Coronation Street" from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2004, later starred in New Zealand soap "Shortland Street" and "Hollyoaks." He has since transitioned away from acting, now running a pub in Knutsford, Cheshire, though he occasionally makes public appearances.
This past year, Rickitt also made headlines when he was granted a restraining order against an individual who had engaged in a year-long harassment campaign. The stalker had made threats that included fantasies of raping a child. The restraining order prohibits the individual from contacting Rickitt, his wife, and three others. Rickitt recounted the significant stress and fear the harassment caused him and his staff, leading to him seeking anti-anxiety medication. The individual was sentenced to a community order, rehabilitation activities, and ordered to pay costs and a fine.