FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO - No Use Before Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Coronation Street - Ep 9741 Wednesday 10th April 2019 - 2nd Ep With RickÕs [GREG WOOD] eyes boring into him, Gary Windass [MIKEY NORTH] reluctantly knocks on the door of a sweet old lady who, hearing heÕs offering loans, ushers him inside. Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms(Image: ITV)

ITV Coronation Street fans 'floored' as they realise two characters are real-life siblings

by · NottinghamshireLive

Coronation Street viewers were surprised to discover that two of the soap's characters are actually siblings in real life. Matt Milburn, who played Weatherfield footballer Tommy Orpington from October 2016 until earlier this year, is the real-life brother of Greg Wood, who portrayed the notorious villain Rick Neelan.

Tommy was a regular on the cobbles until he left for Spain with Tracy McDonald (Kate Ford) following an affair storyline. The pair bonded over a shared interest when Tommy worked as a painter and decorator, before deciding to take a job opportunity abroad together.

However, it has only recently been revealed to some fans that Matt is the brother of Greg, whose character Rick arrived in 2009 and quickly became a menace to locals, particularly Gary Windass (Mikey North). In 2019, Gary killed Rick to protect his family and hid his body in the woods.

Rick also left behind a daughter, Kelly, played by Doctor Who's Millie Gibson. Outside of Coronation Street, Greg has had roles such as Trevor Royle in Hollyoaks and Terry Gibson in Brookside, while Matt followed in his brother's acting footsteps, although their paths on Corrie never crossed on screen, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Matt revealed to TV Times: "Watching my brother in his first college play ignited my fire for it [acting]. Seeing the adrenaline surge through him afterwards, I thought: 'I'd love to give that a go.' But I just never did.", reports Plymouth Live.

He continued: "Greg was supposed to film a play for his university friends, but he landed a role in Brookside, so he suggested my name without informing me. The play was Dealer's Choice by Patrick Marber it revolves around poker."

"We shot it in the basement at night, and it was such a thrill! About three weeks later, I got an audition for Hollyoaks it felt like my university."

Coronation Street fans have expressed their surprise on Facebook at discovering Matt and Greg are brothers in real life. One fan posted: "SAY WHAT? ! ! Today years old when I found out Rick (Greg Wood) and Tommy O (Matt Milburn) are brothers in real life."

Another fan responded: "It's funny cause when Tommy came back in I thought it was the guy Gary killed, that would explain why they look so alike lol".

A third fan commented: "Wow....No wonder I'm thinking it was him who Gary killed."

Other fans reacted with similar surprise, with one saying "Didn't know that" and another exclaiming "They look similar."