Just when fans thought they’d seen the last of Kelly Neelan’s heartbreak on Coronation Street, the actress behind the character, Millie Gibson, is now facing a real-life loss that feels painfully close to the kind of grief her character once endured. The young star has opened up about something deeply personal and the outpouring of support from her former castmates has been just as emotional as any storyline on the cobbles.
Kelly Neelan’s Turbulent Journey on the Cobbles
Millie Gibson’s time as Kelly Neelan was anything but smooth. From her first appearance in 2019, the troubled teen carried the weight of a complicated past, and her storylines often left viewers in tears. Kelly grappled with her mother Laura’s death, her father Rick’s criminal shadow, and the guilt surrounding Seb Franklin’s murder, which wrongfully led to her imprisonment.
The emotional rollercoaster didn’t stop there. After her release, Kelly tried to rebuild her life, only to face yet another blow when her father’s violent history caught up with her.
Kelly’s final episodes in 2022 were filled with suspense, drama, and ultimately, redemption as she decided to leave Weatherfield behind. Since her departure, Millie has proven that her career extends far beyond the cobbles. She landed the role of Ruby Sunday in Doctor Who, becoming the latest companion to Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor. It was a turning point that showed her incredible range as an actress and it came just as her personal life was about to be tested in a different way.
Millie’s Heartbreaking Loss
This week, Millie revealed that her beloved dog, Spike, had passed away after 15 cherished years together. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 21-year-old actress described Spike as “the bestest friend [she] could ever ask for.” She added that her “heart is so broken” and that she will “always love” her loyal companion. Her emotional tribute was accompanied by touching photos and videos of their time together. It didn’t take long for her Coronation Street family to respond.
Georgia Taylor said she was “heartbroken” for Millie. She called Spike “a beauty,” while Sally Carman shared her sympathy with kind words. Paddy Bever filled the comments with heart emojis, showing his quiet support. Kel Allen, who played Kelly’s on-screen mum Laura Neelan, wrote an especially moving message. She expressed that her “heart breaks” for Millie, describing the pain of “saying goodbye to your whole world.”
Even amid her grief, Millie continues to shine in her post-Corrie career. Alongside her role in Doctor Who, she recently took on a major part in Channel 5’s period drama The Forsytes. Speaking at the show’s launch, Millie explained that she looks “completely different” in the series. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street updates, celebrity news, and behind-the-scenes stories.