Protection star Katherine Kelly's painful marriage split and co-star romance
Katherine Kelly stars in new ITV thriller Protection alongside Siobhan Finneran. In her latest role, Katherine takes on the part of DCI Hannah Wheatley as drama unfolds in the witness protection unit
Katherine Kelly stars in new ITV thriller Protection alongside Siobhan Finneran. In her latest role, Katherine takes on the part of DCI Hannah Wheatley as drama unfolds in the witness protection unitKatherine Kelly is appearing in ITV's new thriller, Protection (
Image: Getty Images)
Actress Katherine Kelly is back on our screens as part of ITV thriller Protection – though TV fans will be familiar with her famous partner too.
In her latest role, Katherine, 45, plays DCI Hannah Wheatley, a police officer who is based in the witness protection unit. While no two days are ever the same, things become even more unpredictable when a family in witness protection is murdered, causing DI Liz Nyles, played by Siobhan Finneran, to suspect that someone on the team could be leaking information.
Away from our screens, the former Coronation Street star is in a relationship with Line Of Duty's Tony Pitts. The pair made headlines back in November 2022 when they went public with their romance after arriving at the Dancing with Heroes ball together, though it was reported that they'd been in a relationship for "some time".
Katherine plays DCI Hannah Wheatley (
Image:
ITV)
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: "They have kept their relationship out of the spotlight but have attended a number of events together this year including Royal Ascot and the ITV Palooza earlier this month. At the Dancing With Heroes ball Kelly couldn't keep her hands off Tony and was stroking the back of his head all evening."
"They have met one another's families and went on holiday together with their respective children earlier this year. Katherine is incredibly happy with Tony and it's clear they are a really good match."
Since then the pair's relationship appears to have gone from strength to strength and Tony often features in Katherine's Instagram posts. Earlier this month the pair attended Cheltenham Festival together and posed for pictures alongside Zara and Mike Tindall as well as comedian Leigh Francis.
Meanwhile, in August the pair headed to Naples in Italy for a romantic trip. In one sweet snap, Katherine and Tony looked effortlessly stylish as they matched in their white outfits. While Katherine dazzled in a white broderie anglaise dress, her actor beau looked suave in a white shirt and pair of trousers.
In response to the loved-up photo, fans flocked to the comments section to show their support for the couple, who both worked on the short film Affection. "Gorgeous photo of you both in white xx," wrote one. “What romantic pictures,” another added.
Prior to her relationship with Tony, Katherine had been married to IT consultant Ryan Clark. Having met in Australia in 2011, the pair tied the knot in 2013 at The Little Church of the West in Las Vegas and one year later they welcomed their first child, Orla Kelly, into the world. In 2016, their second daughter, Rose Christie, was born.
The actress is in a relationship with Line Of Duty star Tony Pitts (
Image:
Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Katherine was previously married to Ryan Clark (
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)
In 2016, Katherine opened up on her relationship with Ryan and revealed how their paths first crossed. “I met Ryan at my best friend’s wedding in Australia. But he was with someone else and I’d only split up with my boyfriend of six years the week before,” she told You magazine.
“We became good mates first because he was part of my friend’s circle and I’d see him whenever I was visiting her. Then when I went back, he was single and so was I, so it was lovely to get together romantically at last.”
Speaking of her wedding, Katherine added: “It was more emotional than I’d imagined – we both got pretty choked up. The wedding was totally us, though, and we still say it was the most fun we’ve ever had.
Sadly after seven years of marriage, the pair called time on their relationship in April 2020. “Katherine and Ryan have made the difficult decision to separate. They see it as a positive move for both of them and the separation is completely amicable. Their children are their top priority and they will continue to co-parent as good friends,” a source told The Sun at the time. According to reports, Katherine moved back to her hometown Barnsley following the split.