Emmerdale Will star’s life with new wife after she issued ultimatum

Emmerdale fans were stunned when soap favourite Will Taylor dramatically died from a heart a.t.t.a.c.k on Christmas Day, following plenty of drama between him and estranged wife Kim Tate. The shock d.e.a.t.h marked the end of actor Dean Andrews’ time on the ITV soap, which began back in April 2019.

The soap star, 61, released a video days after his departure aired, confirming he’d exited Emmerdale for good while also thanking his co-stars. During his time in Emmerdale, Will had his fair share of drama, with his marriage to Kim (Claire King) taking centre stage over recent months.

However, actor Dean’s real life is worlds away from that of his soap persona, with the actor being happily married to wife Helen Bowen-Green.

Dean and Helen have been an item for over two decades after meeting at a mutual pal’s 40th birthday. Dean has previously revealed that his partner issued him an ultimatum about marriage, leading to them deciding to organise their nuptials. Helen had told him that she wouldn’t tie the knot after he turned 60. Eventually, the couple married on Dean’s 60th birthday in 2023.

“We never found time to get wed,” he told The Mirror. “And then Helen said: ‘I won’t marry someone over 60.’ So I thought. ‘I better get that sorted.’ People did say ‘Deano, why get married at 60?’ but I’m happy to have found love with such a wonderful woman and [wanted to] celebrate that.”

Looking back on the start of their relationship, Dean recalled: “She had recently separated and I had also recently separated. I saw her at this party and thought she was a rather attractive lady, so it wasn’t too difficult for me to ask if she’d like a drink. As for the big event? It was a brilliant day.”

Dean is dad to two daughters, Sharny, 39, and Alice, 33. He is grandfather to Alice’s children Ida-Rae and Thor, as well as Sharny’s son Hendrix.

Following his soap exit, Dean thanked fans and revealed it was time to “move on” from Emmerdale. He said in an Instagram video: “I just wanted to come on to thank everybody that has sent messages regarding my departure from Emmerdale. There was a little conjecture as to whether Will was dead – he is dead, he’s gone. I’ve been left for around seven or eight weeks.

“I’d been there for around five-and-a-half years, and in that (time) I worked with some really lovely people – some amazing crew and my little family along the way have always been lovely to work with so I thoroughly enjoyed it. But it’s time to move on, and move on we shall.”

Emmerdale airs on weeknights on ITV1