This past weekend brought a wave of celebration and heartfelt tributes as Coronation Street star Sally Carman-Duttine, beloved for her portrayal of Abi Webster, marked a major milestone—her 50th birthday. The actress, who has graced the cobbles since 2017, was showered with love both online and off, surrounded by friends, family, and a bevy of co-stars who made the day unforgettable.
Sally shared glimpses of her special celebration through Instagram, posting a collection of candid photos that perfectly captured the joy of the occasion. From sipping drinks and indulging in delicious cupcakes and cheesecake, to enjoying a sundae with her closest circle, the images reflected a day filled with warmth, laughter, and sweet moments. One particularly cherished guest in the photos was her husband, Joe Duttine—who Corrie fans know as Tim Metcalfe. Their off-screen romance, blossoming into a real-life marriage, has long enchanted viewers of the ITV soap.
In a light-hearted caption accompanying the photos, Sally wrote “Birthday bitsie bobsies,” and added hashtags like #spoiltrotten and #50rocks, highlighting the joy and gratitude she felt on her special day. The post attracted an outpouring of affection from Coronation Street castmates and celebrity friends alike, many of whom shared their love and admiration in the comments.
Vicky Myers, known on the cobbles as DS Lisa Swain, left a sweet message: “You deserve the world! Happy Birthday. Love you.” Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, simply wrote: “Stunning,” echoing the sentiments of fans who admire Sally Carman’s vibrant personality and on-screen talent. Claire Sweeney (Cassie Plummer) chimed in with four heart emojis, while Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster) added seven heart-eyes emojis in a sign of adoration.
Even Shameless co-star Christopher Coghill, who worked with Sally years ago on the gritty Channel 4 series, joined in with heart-eyes emojis and a friendly “Happy birthday kid xx.” Another notable tribute came from Anthony Crank—Dean Turnbull in Coronation Street—who affectionately called her an “absolute QUEEN.”
Beyond the birthday bash, Sally has also been making headlines recently for a deeply personal gesture: her latest tattoo. In a touching tribute, she revealed the ink honors her husband Joe and his three children from a previous relationship, symbolizing her bond with the family they’ve built together. While Sally has kept most of her tattoo’s design private, the sentiment behind it reveals her warm and inclusive nature.
Though fans adore seeing the real-life couple together, Sally made a candid confession in a recent interview that working alongside her husband on set isn’t exactly her favorite thing. “I’d be very happy never to have a scene with him ever again,” she admitted with a laugh. She explained their contrasting acting styles often clash—Sally comes ultra-prepared, while Joe prefers to feel out the scene during filming. The result? Hilarious chaos.
Joe’s habit of making her laugh during takes doesn’t help matters. Sally admitted, “He absolutely makes me howl with laughter and he does it on purpose.” Once she starts giggling, there’s no stopping her, and while that may be charming to fans, it’s a challenge when the cameras are rolling. “Even if people get annoyed about it, it doesn’t help,” she added, laughing at the memory.
These behind-the-scenes tidbits offer a delightful contrast to Sally’s often dramatic and intense storylines as Abi Webster. Over the years, she’s tackled harrowing narratives involving addiction, grief, and family struggles—earning widespread praise for her emotionally powerful performances. Off-screen, however, Sally exudes warmth, humor, and authenticity, making her all the more beloved by viewers.
