Tina O’Brien, the beloved Coronation Street star, is making waves with a fresh career move that has many talking. The 42-year-old actress, best known for playing Sarah Platt in Corrie, is gearing up for an exciting new chapter as she sets her sights on becoming a major influencer—much like her daughter Scarlett, who has already built a massive online following. However, this new venture comes at a controversial time, as Tina’s plan to branch out could put her at odds with her ex-partner Ryan Thomas and his famous family. 
The Insider’s Reveal: What’s Really Going On?
Sources close to Tina have revealed that she’s looking to “get one up” on Ryan by using her newfound influencer status as a stepping stone to boost her own career. “Tina has always been well-loved from Corrie, but recently she’s been watching how well people are doing off-screen,” said an insider. “Her daughter Scarlett is a huge influencer, and Tina now thinks she can do the same and bring in a nice little earner away from the soap.”
Despite a love-hate relationship with social media over the years, Tina has signed with Alpha Talent Group, an agency representing major stars like boxer Tommy Fury, Max George of The Wanted, and Love Island contestants Paige Turley and Helena Ford. Tina’s decision to go down the influencer path could very well be a game-changer for her career, but it’s also raising eyebrows due to her complicated history with Ryan Thomas and the Thomas family.
Tina’s Big Move: Influencer Career and More
Tina has long been a familiar face on British television, and now she’s seeking to diversify her portfolio by signing brand deals, with several major partnerships reportedly in the works. However, according to Coronation Street’s internal guidelines, Tina will have to navigate her TV commitments carefully to avoid any conflict with ITV’s commercial partners or her character’s integrity on the show.
Her 17-year-old daughter, Scarlett, who shares a massive 352,000 followers on TikTok, is already a big name in the influencer world, and now Tina is ready to follow suit. But don’t expect Tina to be creating the same content as Scarlett or Ryan Thomas and his brothers—Tina has made it clear she won’t be jumping on viral TikTok trends. Instead, she’s focusing on “exciting brand deals” and possibly stepping into reality TV, something she hasn’t done since Strictly Come Dancing over a decade ago.
Tina’s Plans: Aiming High in Influencer World
While Scarlett’s massive TikTok following is impressive, Tina’s approach will be different. According to the insider, Tina’s aim is not to become a TikTok star but to secure lucrative brand deals that will see her carve out her own niche in the influencer world. Tina’s daughter, Scarlett, has already shown her talents as an influencer, but Tina is looking to add her own twist by sharing her personality with the public—perhaps even through reality TV appearances.
The Thomas brothers, including Ryan, Adam, and Scott, have dominated social media in recent years, amassing millions of followers on TikTok. But Tina is ready to make her own mark, all while making sure she doesn’t overshadow her own acting career on Coronation Street.
Ryan Thomas’s Family and the Controversy
Tina’s career shift comes at a particularly sensitive time, as her ex-partner Ryan Thomas and his family are currently in the spotlight. Ryan’s brothers, Adam and Scott, have a massive following on TikTok, often posting comedic and lighthearted content that attracts millions of views. Adam recently caused a stir on I’m A Celebrity with a controversial outburst, sparking even more drama around the Thomas family.
Despite the recent controversies, including Adam’s tension with fellow I’m A Celebrity contestant Jimmy Bullard, Tina is using this moment to her advantage. While she may never openly admit it, friends close to Tina believe she’s using the drama surrounding Ryan’s family to gain more visibility for her own influencer career. “Tina sees this as her chance to get one up on Ryan,” the source said. “She’s got a huge fan base, and she’s ready to take things to the next level.”
The History Between Tina and Ryan: A Complicated Past
Tina and Ryan’s relationship has been tumultuous since their split in 2009 after six years together. The drama didn’t end there, as their volatile relationship continued to make headlines. In 2022, Ryan accused Tina of causing damage to his car during a heated argument, with reports claiming she smashed his Range Rover with a baseball bat.
Things were further complicated in 2023 when Tina shared a cryptic Instagram post about a “tyrannical narcissistic father,” which many speculated was aimed at Ryan. Despite these public clashes, Tina has remained focused on her children and her career, all while navigating the personal and professional challenges that have come her way.
Tina’s Growing Influence Beyond Coronation Street
While Tina’s professional life in Coronation Street continues, her growing influence in the world of social media and her work with The Drama MOB—a Manchester-based drama school she co-founded—are keeping her busy. The school, which helped launch the career of Owen Cooper, the youngest-ever male winner of the Best Supporting Actor award at the Emmys, is one of Tina’s proudest achievements.
Tina is determined to push The Drama MOB to new heights, and with the recent success of her students, she sees this as a big opportunity to grow her career outside of acting. As for her future in the influencer world, Tina has big plans ahead, and it seems the sky’s the limit.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
