Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston is currently involved in one of the most heart-wrenching storylines her character, Izzy Armstrong, has endured throughout her short time on the cobbles of Coronation Street, all the while hiding her heartbreak from the tragedy of losing her father in real life.

Cherylee, who joined the cast of Corrie in 2010, phoned bosses at the award-winning ITV soap in tears on September 6th to tell them that her father, Bill Houston, had lost what had been a long battle with cancer, according to the Sun newspaper.

Producers began re-arranging the film schedule so that Cherylee was not made to act out any scenes deemed too emotional tough or draining after the brave actress insisted she would still be coming into work, desperate not to let the cast or crew down.

Cherylee’s character, Izzy, is currently involved in a surrogacy storyline with her boyfriend, Gary (Mikey North) and barmaid, Tina (Michelle Keegan).  Fans of the show will know how due to miscarrying a baby earlier this year, the couple have decided to get a surrogate to carry a child for them fearing Izzy’s disability would not allow her to go full term if she were to get pregnant again.  Izzy’s sister, Katy (Georgia May Foote) originally agreed to be a surrogate for them, but after a huge family dispute it was decided that someone outside the family would be better suited, in particular cash-strapped Tina.

A Corrie source told the paper: “At times like this we are a big family and look after one another. Cherylee will be given everyone’s support at this terrible time.

“She has been involved in some really emotional scenes but no one really knew about what was happening in her private life. When news came that her dad had died, people were so upset for her.

“Filming has not been disrupted but she took time off for her dad’s funeral on Monday.”

We would like to wish Cherylee and her family our sincerest sympathy and best wishes for the future.