In a heartbreaking turn of events, beloved soap actor Antony Cotton has revealed he is mourning the loss of a dear friend and colleague from his long-running tenure on Coronation Street. The news has sent waves of sorrow through the tight-knit cast and crew of the legendary ITV series, and fans are rallying to offer their condolences to the star and everyone connected with the show.

Cotton, who has portrayed the charismatic Sean Tully on Coronation Street for more than two decades, shared the devastating announcement via his social media channels. The departed colleague has been identified as Matthew Owens, a 38-year-old fire-safety advisor who worked behind the scenes on the soap’s most daring stunt sequences. His sudden passing has stunned everyone who knew him.

In his post, Cotton wrote: “Today was a very hard day for so many people, especially Matt’s family. I still can’t quite get my head round it, to be honest. Matt was just a really, really nice lad.” He went on to reflect on their 13-year friendship: “We met when he did the fire safety for a stunt block at Coronation Street … we’ve been friends ever since. He was a much loved son, brother, dad, colleague and partner. He was also a quiet and humble, solid friend.”

A Life Behind the Scenes

Matthew Owens may not have been on-screen, but his contribution to Coronation Street was far from invisible. As a fire-safety advisor and stunt-crew specialist, he was part of the team that helped bring some of the show’s most explosive and emotionally charged sequences to life. He worked not only on Corrie but also on other British soaps including Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.

His first stunt project on Coronation Street reportedly dates back to the 2013 fire sequence at The Rovers Return, a pivotal show moment that remains burnished in the memories of viewers and industry insiders alike. In the years that followed, Owen’s work contributed to high-stakes episodes such as the show’s Halloween block, which featured character hostage drama and shocking casualties.

The Impact on Coronation Street

The passing of Matthew Owens attracts attention not only because of his connection to Antony Cotton, but because it reminds us how many unsung individuals make the cobbles of Weatherfield possible. While the public focus inevitably falls on the on-screen drama of characters like Sean Tully, Leanne Battersby and Abi Webster, it is the off-screen heroes — the stunt-coordinators, fire-safety officers, camera-crews and production-teams — who often facilitate the visual spectacle that viewers take for granted.

Cotton’s tribute underscores that bond: “I’ll miss hearing from you Matt, out of the blue sometimes, but always with a smile. You are at rest now, no more worries Matty Boy.” For fans of the show, it’s a reminder that behind the dramatic brawls, love-twists and cliffhanger stunts are real people who care deeply about their craft — and each other.

The Character Connection

Antony Cotton’s alter-ego Sean Tully has long been a scene-stealer on Coronation Street. Known for his warmth, camp charm and unwavering loyalty, Sean has become an audience favourite since his debut in 2003. Against that backdrop, the news of Cotton’s personal grief feels all the more resonant. A character who laughs in the Rovers pub one moment and supports his loved ones through emotional turmoil the next — Sean has mirrored Cotton’s own ability to balance comedy and pathos.

In many ways, the loss of someone so integral to the production is akin to losing a cast-member. On a show that thrives on continuity, character relationships and the interwoven lives of Weatherfield residents, each individual — on-screen or off — forms part of the living tapestry that the audience engages with week after week. This moment of sorrow will no doubt ripple across the production team, the writing rooms, the stunt teams and the cast’s off-camera routines.

Looking Ahead: Tribute, Reflection and the Road to Healing

In his tribute, Cotton made clear that this is no passing mention — he described that the funeral service was held at Stafford Crematorium Chapel on July 22, 2025. Although details of the cause of death have not been revealed publicly, the succinct caption echoes such shock and sadness that the words still feel raw: “I still can’t quite get my head round it.”

For fans of Coronation Street, this moment invites reflection. The next time we watch a dramatic stunt — a fire, a hostage scene, one of those explosive “event” episodes — we might cast our minds behind the scenes, to the people who constructed the illusion and kept the cast safe. Owens’ contribution is emblematic of those unsung professionals whose names may not appear in the credits, but whose presence is felt in every frame of tension, every explosion, every emotional showdown.

Antony Cotton’s grief is also a vivid reminder that the people who bring these characters to life carry their own losses, their own friendships and their own stories. The image of Sean Tully standing behind the bar, offering a supportive ear, is in some ways mirrored by the actor who opens our screens each week — and now grapples with sorrow in real life.

Final Thoughts

In a world often dominated by celebrity announcements and on-screen drama, the death of Matthew Owens shines a light on the fabric behind the show. It reminds us that the world of Coronation Street — both the fictional Weatherfield and the real production crew — is a community, full of human stories beyond what we see in our living rooms.

Antony Cotton’s message, full of affection, respect and deep loss, stands as a tribute to a colleague, a friend and a craftsman. His words carry weight: “Matt was a really, really nice lad … we’ve been friends ever since.” In the wake of this loss, the cast and crew of Coronation Street will no doubt honour his memory in subtle ways — a paused scene, a silent moment behind the camera, a whispered “matty boy” in someone’s ear.

For now, our thoughts go out to the family of Matthew Owens, to Antony Cotton and to every member of the Coronation Street production who has been touched by his life and work. As the famous cobbles roll on, we remember that each dramatic moment — each bang, each tear, each twist — is built by people who care. And in this time of grief, they too deserve our respect and our quiet applause.

— With heartfelt condolences to all affected by this loss.