She plays Maria Connor on Coronation Street, but the woman behind the character lives a story that often surprises fans. From two marriages and a Dancing on Ice romance to a recent online confession, Samia Longchambon’s real life is as layered as any soap plot.
Born: 13 July 1982 | Age (2025): 43 | Character: Maria Connor | Marriages: 2 | Years on Coronation Street: 2000–present (with breaks)
Who is Samia Longchambon?
Coronation Street Role
- Character: Maria Connor (since 2000) The Mirror
Marriage and Relationships
- First marriage: Matt Smith (2005–2011) Wikipedia
- Met Sylvain on Dancing on Ice Great British Life
- Second marriage: Sylvain Longchambon (2016) TheCityCeleb
Family
- Children: Son Yves (born 2015) and stepson
The essential details about Samia Longchambon are summarized below.
| Full Name | Samia Longchambon |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 July 1982 |
| Birthplace | Eccles, Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known For | Coronation Street (Maria Connor) |
| Marital Status | Married twice; current status with Sylvain Longchambon unconfirmed |
| Children | 2 (son Yves, stepson) |
Confirmed Facts
- Born 13 July 1982 in Eccles, England. IMDb
- Plays Maria Connor on Coronation Street since 2000. The Mirror
- Married twice: Matt Smith (2005–2011) and Sylvain Longchambon (2016). Wikipedia
- Met Sylvain on Dancing on Ice.Great British Life
What’s Unclear
- Current relationship status with Sylvain Longchambon.
- Exact earnings.
- Whether she wears a wig (speculated but not confirmed).
What is the real name of the actress who played Maria Connor in Coronation Street?
Samia Longchambon is the professional name of the actress, but she was born Samia Maxine Ghadie. She previously used the surname Smith during her first marriage. She was born in Eccles, England, on 13 July 1982, to Joseph and Patsy Ghadie. Her father is a French-Lebanese shop owner, and her mother was an actress. She has a brother named Tariq.
What ethnicity is Samia Longchambon?
Samia was born in Eccles, England. Her father Joseph is French-Lebanese, and her mother Patsy was an English actress. Her background is thus a mix of cultural influences.
What language does Samia speak?
She speaks English.
Does Samia Longchambon wear a wig?
Fans have speculated about whether she wears a wig on Coronation Street. This has not been confirmed by the actress or the show.
The pattern: Her real name and background often surprise fans, showing how much of her identity is tied to her role.
What has happened to Sam on Corrie?
Maria Connor has been central to many dramatic storylines. In real life, Samia took maternity leave in 2009 after the birth of her daughter Freya. In March 2026, she opened up on social media about a personal struggle, as reported by TV Guide.
How much does Samia Longchambon earn?
Her salary is not publicly disclosed. Like other long-running soap actors, she is likely on a standard cast salary.
The implication: While her on-screen character faces constant turmoil, Samia’s real life has also seen ups and downs.
How did Samia Longchambon meet her husband?
Samia met French ice skater Sylvain Longchambon during the 2013 series of Dancing on Ice, where they were partners. They became engaged in 2015 and married in August 2016.
Who is Samia Longchambon’s ex-husband?
Her first husband is Matt Smith (also known as Matthew Smith), a property developer. They married on 10 September 2005 and separated in January 2011.
Are Samia and Sylvain still together?
The current status of their marriage is not publicly confirmed. There have been no recent public appearances or statements to clarify.
How many times has Samia Longchambon been married?
She has been married twice: first to Matt Smith (2005–2011) and second to Sylvain Longchambon (2016–present).
The catch: Despite two marriages, Samia’s relationship timeline is marked by privacy.
How old are Samia Longchambon’s children?
She has a daughter Freya Smith, born 19 October 2009, and a son Yves Joseph Longchambon, born 24 September 2015. She also has a stepson. As of 2025, Freya is 15 and Yves is 9.
The pattern: Her children’s ages are rarely discussed publicly, reflecting her choice to keep family life private.
Where does Samia Longchambon live?
She resides in the Greater Manchester area, close to the Coronation Street set. Her exact address is private.
What this means: Samia maintains a low profile outside of work.
Bottom line: Samia Longchambon, famous for playing Maria Connor, has a biography filled with real-life complexities that often mirror her character’s. She has navigated two marriages, children from both relationships, and a stint on reality TV, while keeping much of her personal life out of the spotlight. Her recent social media confession adds a new chapter, but many details remain private.
Timeline
- 13 July 1982: Samia Longchambon born in Eccles, England. IMDb
- 2000: First appears as Maria Connor on Coronation Street. The Mirror
- 2005: Marries Matt Smith. Wikipedia
- 2009: Daughter Freya born. Wikipedia
- 2011: Separates from Matt Smith. The Mirror
- 2013: Meets Sylvain Longchambon on Dancing on Ice. Great British Life
- 2015: Engaged; son Yves born. Wikipedia
- 2016: Marries Sylvain Longchambon. TheCityCeleb
- March 2026: Opens up about personal struggle on social media (TV Guide).
“Samia and Matt Smith separated by mutual agreement in January 2011.”
“Samia met French professional ice skater Sylvain Longchambon through Dancing on Ice.”
Note: The research confidence for this article is low, meaning many details come from sources with varying reliability. Where possible, we have cited multiple sources, but some claims remain unverified.
Caution: The current relationship status of Samia and Sylvain Longchambon is not publicly confirmed. Fans should treat speculation with caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Samia Longchambon’s net worth?
Samia’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a long-running soap actress, she likely earns a comfortable income, but no verified figures exist.
Does Samia Longchambon have any siblings?
Yes, she has a brother named Tariq. Great British Life
What other TV shows has Samia Longchambon appeared in?
In addition to Coronation Street, she appeared as a contestant on Dancing on Ice in 2013.
How did Samia Longchambon start her acting career?
She began her professional acting career with the role of Maria Connor on Coronation Street in 2000.
Is Samia Longchambon active on social media?
Yes, she uses social media and shared a personal struggle online in March 2026, reported by TV Guide.
For similar celebrity biographies, see our articles on Natalie Cassidy: Biography, Family, Net Worth, and Carer Role and Ranvir Singh: Biography, Age, Weight Loss, Relationship.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.