Darren Day reveals he dumped Anna Friel for Tracy Shaw as he reflects on his 'love rat' label and claims 'fame is the best aphrodisiac'

Darren Day has shed light on his 'love rat' label after admitting he dumped future A-lister Anne Friel for Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw. In 1994, the lothario, now 58, began a relationship with Anna who was at the height of her UK fame amid her stint in Brookside, and the pair were together for three years and even became engaged - however two weeks after their split he dated Tracy.Discussing the dramatic romances on Best Magazine's Suddenly Single podcast, Darren admitted he met Tracy and was 'very taken' with the star, while also discussing his hatred for his 'love rat' title. Due to a series of high profile romances throughout his four decades in showbiz, the star has become known for his lothario ways, for which he said: '[The love rat stories] make me sound kidding, not kidding you, like a serial killer.'While he begrudged his love rat status, Darren branded fame 'the best aphrodisiac', saying: Yeah, you get famous and it is probably the best aphrodisiac for the, you know, opposite sex or same sex or whatever might be...'I noticed the difference like instantly. You didn't have to ch anyone up anymore, you know. Um, it just was it was there.' Darren Day has shed light on his 'love rat' label after admitting he dumped future A-lister Anne Friel for Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw (Darren and Anna pictured in 1996) In 1994, the lothario, now 58, began a relationship with Anna who was at the height of her UK fame amid her stint in Brookside, and the pair were together for three years and even became engaged - however two weeks after their split he dated Tracy (Darren and Tracy in 1998) He spoke on the podcast about his life in the spotlight Darren's romance with Anna and subsequent union with Tracy set tongues wagging.Two weeks after dumping Anna, he started dating Coronation Street actress Tracy - whom he met while on tour with Summer Holiday in Manchester - giving her the £30,000 engagement ring meant for his ex.On the romance, he said: 'Yeah, there was. I'll put my hands up to I'm not going to lie. Um and we met at the press night, and I was very taken. There's no doubt about it. Um, and I finished with Anna. Yeah.' ''But then, so I'd say it was 3 days after the news came out and the headline was he's lost that loving freeling. I'll always remember that. That's pretty good though. Well done. Yeah. I mean, you've got to look at the sun and go well done on your headlines.' 'Three days later, I went to Manchester and I went with Tracy. And then the following week was when the Love Rat was born.' After a stormy relationship, Tracy and Darren split and Darren told of their cocaine-fuelled sex binges, before meeting former Home and Away star Isla Fisher, gushing: 'She's the first girl I've been in love with.' They too became engaged but split because of their 'hectic lifestyles'. He enjoyed then brief flings with Joan Collins's daughter Tara Newley and Sophia Thierens. After a stormy relationship, Tracy and Darren split and Darren told of their cocaine-fuelled sex binges, before meeting former Home and Away star Isla Fisher, gushing: 'She's the first girl I've been in love with' (Darren and Isla in 1998) Discussing the 'aphrodisiac' nature to fame, he said: 'Yeah, you get famous and it is probably the best aphrodisiac for the, you know, opposite sex or same sex or whatever might be. I noticed the difference like instantly...'You didn't have to chase anyone up anymore, you know...'It just was it was there. And I know I came in for a lot of stick because my relationships were with profile women, but I used an analogy at the time which was if you're a pilot, you tend to meet air hostesses. Yes.'Darren developed a crack addiction between 2001 and 2005, which he claims was an outcome of his struggles with his 'love rat' label. Darren first began to rehabilitate his reputation with an appearance in 2016's Celebrity Big Brother (pictured) saying he 'Wanted the opportunity to show the public where I am now' He previously described his addiction as 'ridiculously intense', he explained how he was grateful that he didn't go down the route of taking heroin, but described smoking crack as his 'darkest days'.In 2020 he took to X to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years.Telling his followers: 'Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction. That I've spoken publicly about. In 2023 he admitted going 'cold turkey' from drink and drugs in the I'm A Celebrity Jungle, after appearing on the first series way back in 2002 where he. was eliminated third'Something I have never spoken about is my mental health issues. That changes as of today because I have become involved with a wonderful new charity: Its OK Not To Be OK.'In 2023 he admitted going 'cold turkey' from drink and drugs in the I'm A Celebrity Jungle, after appearing on the first series way back in 2002 where he was eliminated third.Darren has been open about his substance addiction in the past - but has revealed for the first time he stopped using them abruptly when he entered the jungle and speaking on GMB alongside TV personality and I'm A Celeb co-star Christine Hamilton, Darren explained his difficult ordeal during his time on the show.