Dean Fagan’s life from ‘nerve-wracking’ soap role to sweet tribute to kids

Missed Call’s Dean Fagan has shared adorable messages for his children.

A gripping new thriller, Missed Call, has recently launched on Channel 5, with the series featuring Joanna Scanlan as a mother who races to France following her daughter’s mysterious disappearance during a school exchange.

The broadcaster’s newest original TV drama, which features an impressive cast, stars Dean Fagan as Neil Scott, the teacher responsible for overseeing the student exchange to the South of France. Fagan is most recognised for his portrayal of Luke Britton in the soap Coronation Street.

The actor, hailing from Withington in South Manchester, is also known for playing Stevie in the BBC drama Time. He completed his studies at the University of Salford in 2010, having already appeared in the adventure film Treasure of Albion before finishing his degree.

Following graduation, he took on the role of bassist Mikey Craig in the biographical film Worried About the Boy, which chronicles the life of singer Boy George.

In 2014, he joined Coronation Street as the ambitious and cheeky character, Luke Britton – a part he played for four years until 2018.

The performer subsequently appeared in the Irish drama Smother, and he discussed comparing the two vastly different projects, revealing his stint on the iconic cobbles was considerably more “nerve-wracking” than joining the RTE drama.

Reflecting on his initial days arriving on the legendary Coronation Street set, he told TV Now: “Coronation Street had been going by the time I got in there, so I would argue that it’s more nerve-wracking coming into something like that. It’s an institution; in Coronation Street, everybody is set in their place, and the characters are so well-known.

“The sets are so well known, I was nervous just walking onto those. I was more nervous going into Corrie than I was joining Smother. It’s just a big, massive machine with many different moving parts, and it just ticks over.

“Some parts come in, and some parts leave, but it just keeps going.” Regarding his film work, the actor recently featured in Gladiator II as a champion of the fighting pits.

On the personal front, the star has shared glimpses on Instagram of moments with his family, including his daughter and son.

In November 2023, he marked his son’s fifth birthday with a heartfelt message: “Being a parent is hard, they say. They’re not wrong. But the beautiful things that come from the hard are beyond compare. You’ve changed our lives for the better, son. You’re a ball of the most wonderful energy that brings so much life to the house and to anywhere else you go. I don’t know how to start my days without it now.”

His daughter celebrated her first birthday in December 2023, and he remarked: “Even though it’s only been a year, we feel like you’ve always been with us. You’ve brought so much light into our lives.”

Back in 2017, he proposed to his long-term partner Louise Pridding while on holiday in Spain. He posted on Instagram at the time: “After making her wait 9 nearly 10 years! I finally led her down a dark path and asked her to marry me. Can’t believe she said yes! But glad she did.

“My best friend and now fiancée. My pea.” While wedding details remain private, the pair continue their relationship and remain blissfully content.

The actor revealed information about his latest project Missed Call on social media, stating: “Filmed out in Montpellier in the stunning south of France. A cracking cast and a top production. A full-on, proper good show this with twists and turns aplenty, built on the worst fears a parent can have.”