Millions of viewers saw actor Bryan Mosley's character struggle through three marriages in Britain's best-loved soap Coronation Street. But, in one of the last interviews he gave before his death on Tuesday, he told T&A reporter Heather Bishop how he and his wife Norma used the strength of their own marriage to help other couples

ON-SCREEN Alf Roberts had a long-suffering marriage to Audrey but actor Bryan Mosley's off-screen life couldn't have been more different.

Bryan and his teacher wife Norma were childhood sweethearts who married and went on to have six children and six grandchildren.

Their love also proved an inspiration to other couples through their involvement in a group called Marriage Encounter.

In an interview with the Telegraph & Argus shortly before he died, Bryan said: "I'd never heard of the group until a priest of ours said we should come along and we were amazed that we got so much out of it."

"It's about taking a couple away from the home and talking about their relationship and things that effect it.

"It's not counselling and it's not particularly for couples having problems.

"There were things that Norma and I had never talked about in more than 25 years of marriage and we discovered we'd got the same sort of ideas.

"It was all about communication and it really made a difference.

"It made us even more sure that we were right together.

"We eventually got involved in Engaged Encounter which involved talking to engaged couples and sharing with them what our experience of life had been

"We have been through the problems that most couples face at some time such as finance, jobs and problems with in-laws."

But the couple managed to get through the pressures of Bryan being in the spotlight.

"It's not easy for any husband and wife when the husband is out working long hours and the wife is left at home with the family," said Bryan.

"You can easily lose touch that's why it's important to take time out and talk things over.

"Too many people decide to get married and spend thousands on a cake and big wedding but they forget to talk over what they both want from life.

"It's important to tackle the issues before you get to them."

Bryan said his own relationship got stronger over the years and his illness brought them even closer.

When he left Coronation Street after 37 years in the show, he made sure he chose projects to work on that would allow the couple to spend more time together.

"It's nice just being in each other's company and going to see friends.

"We both enjoy relaxing at home and I have hundreds of hobbies including painting and model making.

"Having common interests helps."

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