Antony Cotton, in a long and varied career, played Alexander Perry in the groundbreaking and now iconic Russell T Davies series, Queer As Folk. He also played Edina’s website designer Damon in Absolutely Fabulous. Then, in 2003, he first appeared in Coronation Street. 20 years later, Sean Tully – barmaid and knicker stitcher extraordinaire – has become an iconic Street stalwart, front and centre stage, at the heart of the show for over two decades.
Whilst in Weatherfield, Antony has won various awards – including a National Television Award and a British Soap Award for Best Actor. He wrote and starred in his own sitcom for the BBC, and hosted That Antony Cotton Show for ITV. He is a patron and an ambassador of various charities including The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester United Foundation, SSAFA and Help For Heroes. He has also supported, throughout his career, many LGBT charities including Stonewall, The Albert Kennedy Trust, The Terrence Higgins Trust, The George House Trust, and the LGBT Foundation.
It is his work with the Armed Forces that Antony is most proud. He has worked with the British Army on various Welfare and Recruitment policies and campaigns, including OPSMART/MRT – their Mental Health and Resilience Training package, and most recently on Op TEAMWORK, the Army’s Diversity and Inclusion programme. He works alongside, and collaborates with, the Army Sergeant Major – the most senior soldier in the British Army – and together they find ways to deliver and improve the Army’s Mental Health and Wellbeing provision. Antony also spends all of his spare time visiting serving soldiers and their units, delivering Mental Health and Welfare briefs to all ranks of personnel, from junior recruits to senior officers, to help improve their service lives and beyond.
In 2022, Antony was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours, for his service to the British Army, personnel and veterans.
