“It just wasn’t meant to be” – Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn and TOWIE’s Ricky Rayment call it quits after sparking engagement rumours with Valentine’s diamond ring, wiping all trace of their year-long romance from social media - suong

Ex-Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn and TOWIE's Ricky Rayment have split, MailOnline can reveal. 

The couple, who started dating after meeting on a cruise ship in 2023, have gone their separate ways despite sparking engagement speculation when Katie was pictured wearing a diamond ring last Valentine's Day.

Katie, who left Corrie in 2022 after her character Sinead Tinker died of cervical cancer, and Ricky, famed for his appearances on ITVBe's The Only Way Is Essex, said they 'couldn't be happier' during their first interview as a couple last year. 

But in recent months, the pair have called time on their year-long romance, which saw Katie, 31, who's Manchester based, and Ricky, 34, who lives in Essex, commit to each other despite living in different cities.

The exes have even removed all trace of each other from their respective Instagram profiles including loved up posts from holidays together and the announcement of their relationship.

A source revealed to MailOnline: 'Katie and Ricky have ended their romance, they're still friends and want to remain civil but in terms of a romantic relationship, it's definitely over.

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Ex-Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn and TOWIE's Ricky Rayment have split, MailOnline can reveal

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The couple have gone their separate ways despite sparking engagement speculation when Katie was pictured wearing a diamond ring last Valentine's Day 

 

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The exes have even removed all trace of each other from their respective Instagram profiles including loved up posts from holidays together and the announcement of their relationship

'It was difficult at times for them dating even though they lived miles apart from each other but ultimately it just wasn't meant to be.' 

Ricky said Katie first caught his eye as she appeared on ITV soap Coronation Street, where she portrayed Sinead Tinker between April 2013 and March 2020. 

Katie's exit storyline involved her character Sinead dying from cervical cancer and the devastating realities such a loss has on close friends and family.

The important plot didn't go unnoticed by Ricky, who said: 'I first became aware of her years ago, when she was doing those incredible final scenes in Corrie when her character had cancer. I thought then she was amazing.'

After she left Coronation Street, Katie appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 but only made it to the second week of the competition.   

Katie was partnered with Gorka Márquez and said she had found an 'amazing friend' in the dancer after their early elimination during Movie Week.

The actress, who's also starred in Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, admitted that before meeting Ricky in person, she judged him based on the years he appeared on TOWIE when he was known for dating ex-girlfriend Jess Wright. 

She said: 'I recognised his face and just assumed he wasn't going to be my type of person - you know, Jack, the lad from Essex - and I took it for granted we wouldn't get on... happy to say I got that one wrong.' 

MailOnline has approached Katie and Ricky's representatives for comment. 

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Ricky said Katie first caught his eye as she appeared on ITV soap Coronation Street, where she portrayed Sinead Tinker between April 2013 and March 2020

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The actress admitted that before meeting Ricky in person, she judged him based on the years he appeared on TOWIE when he was known for dating ex-girlfriend Jess Wright

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On Sunday, Ricky hinted at his split from Katie with a topless selfie shared on Instagram, captioning the post: 'Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall'

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Speaking in 2024, Katie said she and Ricky were the 'happiest' they had ever been and were looking to the future, with even marriage on the horizon

Ricky found fame on TOWIE in 2012 and was a cast member on the long running series for three years.

He has since shunned the limelight, running his own fishing business, Crowsheath Fishy, with Ricky previously saying his love for the outdoors was one of the ways he connected with Katie.

The couple previously explained how their living arrangements meant they could only see each other on the weekends and often their work schedules meant they went weeks without spending quality time together.

Speaking in 2024, Katie said she and Ricky were the 'happiest' they had ever been and were looking to the future, with even marriage on the horizon.   

Last year, she was pictured wearing a diamond ring on Valentine's Day, with fans speculating that Ricky could have popped the question.