But Catherine Tyldesley was all smiles as she stepped out on Friday, marking the first time the 29-year-old actress has been seen in public since it was revealed the pair had parted ways.
Launching a charity duck race in Manchester's Spinningfields district, the Coronation Street star seemed to be in great spirits, and held her head high in spite of her recent heartache.
Moving on: Catherine Tyldesley was all smiles as
she stepped out in Manchester on Friday for the first time since news
of her split from toyboy lover Sam Witter became public
The blonde starlet completed her daytime look with an envy-inducing cream Chanel handbag, a stylish top knot hairstyle and glamorous oversized sunglasses adding a touch of mystery to her outfit.
Catherine, who has played Eva Price in the ITV1 soap since 2011, seemed to be in a good mood as she arrived at the annual charity event, and was more than happy to poke fun at herself by posing alongside a giant duck and a young fan.
Pretty in peach: The 29-year-old actress made
sure to show her former flame exactly what he was missing by looking
effortlessly stylish in a peach Zara coat and skinny jeans
Great spirits: The Coronation Street actress seemed happy and relaxed as she cuddled up to a giant duck at the charity event
But behind the smiles it would appear the actress was feeling a little emotional about her doomed romance with the personal trainer.
Corrie co-stars Michelle Keegan, Samia Ghadie, Brooke Vincent and Shobna Gulati showered her with messages of support on Twitter, and seemed to leave her a little overwhelmed with their kindness.
New pal: Catherine posed alongside a young fan, who was also dressed as a little duck
Supportive: The star has been showered with
messages of support from her Corrie co-stars, and told her followers she
was looking forward to spending some time with her family over the
Easter Bank Holiday weekend
After the news of the love split broke, Catherine admitted she was keen to get away from it all and head off on holiday, and was looking forward to making the most of spending some time with her nearest and dearest over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
She tweeted: 'I need a holiday. Pronto. #sunshineplease.'
It's over: Sam and Catherine started dating in early 2012, and have since become business partners
In addition to being her boyfriend, 22-year-old Sam was also Catherine's personal trainer and business partner, with the pair owning a company together, Dream Partners Limited, and planning to bring out fitness DVDS later this year.
A source told .'They have just grown apart. The age gap was an issue because they want different things.'
Single: Catherine, pictured on Wednesday, rowed with her lover after they returned from Dubai at the beginning of the year
Keeping her head down: Catherine cut something of a more subdued figure on the evening out
The slim blonde started dating Sam early last year, and the pair frequently gushed over Twitter their love for one another.
On Thursday a joint account @SamandCath, where they frequently tweeted each other loving messages, had vanished but it is unclear what will happen to their company - their website SamandCath.com still appeared to be working on Friday morning.
They can't work it out: Catherine and Sam shared a mutual love of the gym and a healthy lifestyle
Mutual: Friends said the idea to split came after a series of rows
Catherine's character Eva is also going through a tough time, breaking up with Nick Tilsey and Jason Grimshaw.
Speaking last year Catherine said she always gives relationships 110 percent and in a recent interview she gushed: 'When he [Sam] takes his top off, I'm like, "Oh my God!"'.
Her soap family: Catherine with co-stars Michelle Collins and John Michie