The actress, who plays scheming Tracy Barlow, was introduced to brain specialist Sam Orde by friends. The pair appeared in public together for the first time on Friday night, to celebrate Granada Television's 45th anniversary in Manchester.
"Kate is very, very happy. She's clearly fallen for Sam in a big way," a show source told The People. "They always stay in touch even when their work keeps them apart. He's a really nice bloke and thinks the world of her. Kate had been single for a long time and likes to keep her private life to herself but she's clearly smitten with Sam.
"She's nothing like her TV character. Tracy is a right slapper but Kate is a lovely down-to-earth girl. She's waited until the right man came along - and it looks like Sam might be the one."
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