Former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman has tied the knot with West End actress Celinde Schoenmaker and their showbiz pals have sent messages of congratulations

Richard Fleeshman has married Celinde Schoenmaker after a four-year engagement. The actor, 36, shot to fame when he took on the part of Craig Harris on Coronation Street more than 20 years ago and went on to a major career on both screen and stage, having starred in West End hits like Ghost, Guys & Dolls and Company.

In 2018, he met actress Celinde Schoenmaker, 37, who has starred as Fantine in Les Miserables and as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, and they went on to welcome daughter Coco in November 2024.

On Sunday evening, Celinde took to Instagram to reveal that she and Richard, who recently starred in Sally Wainwright's drama Riot Women, had tied the knot last week. The joint statement read: "Last weekend we went up to our favorite place in the world @thecountryhousediaries and surrounded by just our families we got married. It was incredibly special to have three generations under one roof for the first time in 11 years.

"To our dear friends Ben and Paul who made it possible, we love you and are so deeply grateful for you both. To our families thank you for everything and for making it so unforgettable. To our friends…we don’t know when yet but there’s a big ol party in the works at some point so stay tuned x R & C"

A video accompanied the romantic statement, which featured footage from the couple's day, which all took place as part of a lavish ceremony in Cumbria.

Several of the couple's showbiz pals were quick to send their congratulatory messages to the newlyweds. Catherine Tyldesley, famed for her role as Eva Price on Coronation Street, said: "Oh loves!!! This is just heavenly! Huge congratulations." Claire Sweeney, who also stars on Coronation Street and is due to take on the role of Miss Hannigan in an upcoming tour of the musical Annie, said: "Love this!"

I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher who is married to McFly singer Tom Fletcher, wrote: "You absolute BEAUTIES!" whilst EastEnders actress Tazmin Outhwaite said: "Congratulations to you both. Beautiful." Izzy Judd, who is married to McFly's Harry Judd, wrote: "Beautiful [red heart emoji] congratulations"

Ben Forster, who won the title role of Jesus Christ Superstar through the ITV talent show Superstar! in 2012, said: "I love you guys so much. It was the biggest honour to host this amazing day. With you and tour family who we just love to bits I can't stop watching how perfect you both are!"

Several others from the world of theatre also rushed to send their wellwishes to the couple. Lucie Jones, who has made a career out of treading the boards since her days on The X Factor, said: "Oh perfect! Love you guys"

Danielle Hope, who won the BBC's Over The Rainbow in 2010 and appeared alongside Celinde in Les Miserables after her star turn in The Wizard of Oz, said: "Love you so much xxxxx"

Sophie Evans, who placed second on Over the Rainbow and later played Glinda in Wicked before Ariana Grande took on the part for the film, said: "Congratulations to you both. Absolutely gorgeous xxxxx" whilst Lauren Samuels, who placed third in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC search for an actress to play Dorothy in a stage adaptation of the Judy Garland classic and recently starred as Elphaba in a US tour of Wicked, said: "My. Goodness."

Richard announced their engagement in late 2022, and revealed that he had popped the question during a trip to Africa. He wrote: "Went to Africa with my girl. I’ll be heading home with a fiancée. Couldn’t be happier!"

The TV star was just 12 years old when he landed the part of Craig on Coronation Street, and arrived as part of a new family who were in witness protection.

The character, who dated Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) for a period of time, endured a dramatic four years on the cobbles which saw his sister Katy (Lucy-Jo Hudson) murder their father Tommy as he took issue with her relationship with the much-older Martin Platt (Sean Wilson). In the end, their mother Angela (Kathryn Hunt) took the blame for the murder but, wracked with guilt, Katy took her own life.

After his own departure from the soap, which aired in 2006, Richard released an album and starred in musicals like Legally Blonde and Urtinetown. On television, he has appeared on Call the Midwife, Death In Paradise, and, since 2023, has held the leading role of Lt. Spencer Lane in Syfy series The Ark.

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