Actress Brooke Vincent returned to the red carpet at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night following her split from former Sheffield United footballer Kean Bryan.
The 34-year-old soap star flashed her underwear in a sheer lace Norma Kamali dress paired with Jimmy Choo shoes at London's O2 arena. The appearance marked her first public outing since news of the break-up emerged last week.
Before entering the ceremony, Vincent was seen larking around with her former Coronation Street co-star Tisha Merry. The event served as her formal return to the celebrity spotlight after her ten-year relationship with 29-year-old Bryan came to an end.
It was revealed last week that the couple quietly called off their engagement earlier this year. Vincent and Bryan share two young sons, Mexx and Monroe.
Over the weekend, the actress posted a cryptic message on Instagram alongside pictures from a night out with friends. Captioning the images, she wrote: "August… somehow an ending and a beginning all at once."
Decisions and Co-Parenting Arrangement
A source told The Sun that the decision to separate was not easy for the couple, who are now focusing on co-parenting their two children.
"Brooke and Kean have decided to split but are co-parenting their sons together. It wasn't an easy decision for them to make and they are both trying to navigate this new path together," the source stated.
The insider added that both individuals are throwing themselves into work and spending time with friends while adjusting to the change. "They had been together for ten years so it was always going to take time to adjust. Right now their focus is on their sons and keeping normality for them," the source said.
Representatives for both Vincent and Bryan were approached by the Daily Mail for comment following the reports.
Television Comeback and New Confidence
The split follows Vincent's recent return to television acting. In July, she joined the cast of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks as Abigail Matthews, marking her first major TV role since stepping away from Coronation Street in 2019.
The new role provided a fresh burst of energy after years at home. Vincent previously admitted: "If I’m not working, I’m constantly looking for something to do and saying to Kean: 'Shall we decorate?'"
Insiders told The Sun that landing the job on Hollyoaks gave the actress a boost in self-assurance that prompted her to evaluate her personal life. "It made her see she’s not just a mum but also a star still, and part of that new found confidence made her look at her relationship," a source told the publication.
The source noted that while Vincent did not necessarily feel overshadowed by Bryan's football career, his profession had long taken priority. "In the end, it felt almost like the relationship was holding her back and Kean wasn’t being the cheerleader she wanted," the source added.
Background in Soap Television
Vincent is best known to British television viewers for her long-running portrayal of Sophie Webster on ITV's flagship soap Coronation Street. She assumed the role in 2004, playing the youngest daughter of characters Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell, and Sally Webster, played by Sally Dynevor.
Coronation Street, which premiered in 1960, is the world's longest-running television soap opera, set in the fictional town of Weatherfield in Greater Manchester. Vincent spent 15 years on the cobbles before departing the show in 2019 to focus on her family.
Her July screen return on Hollyoaks, which is set in a fictional suburb of Chester, marked her return to soap land after seven years away. Her appearance at the National Television Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating British television achievements at the O2 arena in Greenwich, highlights her return to the public eye alongside her ongoing screen work.
