Faye Brooks treats boyfriend Joe Davies to a pampering session on his birthday

Lockdown restrictions may well be tightening across the north of England, but it was business as usual for Faye Brooks as she stepped out with boyfriend Joe Davies in Manchester on Monday. 

The former Coronation Street star was in high spirits as the happy couple made a beeline for local beauty salon House of Evelyn, where she treated her man to a birthday pampering session. 

Opting for a distinctly Parisian beret, Faye, 33, caught the eye as they walked arm in arm towards the Spring Gardens address during their latest public appearance. 

The actress added to her look with a comfortable fringed winter jacket and black leggings, while knee-length boots rounded things off. 

Walking alongside his girlfriend, personal trainer Joe looked stylish in a shearling lined denim jacket, black skinny jeans and matching Chelsea boots. 

The couple, who confirmed their relationship in 2019, looked pleased as they greeted onlookers before making their way inside the salon, which specialises in hair, make-up, waxes and fake tans.  

Faye confirmed her new romance with Joe in late November as they made their red carpet debut at the White Christmas musical press night.

During the evening, the actress leaned into Joe as he placed a hand on the small of her back, indicating the friends had grown closer since Faye’s engagement to singer Gareth Gates ended last July. 

Faye split from Gareth in August 2019 following a six-year relationship. The pair met when they featured in the Legally Blonde: The Musical, and went public with their relationship in August 2013. 

In September 2018, it was reported that Faye and Gareth briefly ended their relationship when the singer’s ‘very controlling’ behaviour led to a series of furious rows.

But by November of that year, they had to give the relationship another try, with Faye pulling out of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to spend time with him.

In a move that shocked fans, the singer asked her to marry him while they were on holiday in New York City on New Year’s Eve 2018. 

Previously discussing the reason behind their first break-up, Gareth told OK!: ‘There was a lot of strain on our relationship because I was always away with work and Faye’s schedule was getting even busier so we decided we needed some breathing space.’

During the proposal he performed a 17-minute song about their relationship before getting down on one knee to offer Faye a £30,000 engagement ring.

But by mid-July of last year, Faye reportedly moved out of their shared flat and they announced they had split for good in August.