Emmerdale’s Ruby star Beth Cordingly hit with agonising decision over future on soap

When Beth joined Emmerdale she thought she would stay for just one year

As for working with Will, she couldn’t wish for a better onscreen husband. “He is one of the best actors of his generation and I feel incredibly lucky to be working with him,” says Beth. “Every day is just easy and joyous.”

When she joined the soap, Beth, 48, had no idea about the trauma that would unfold for her alter ego, who has this year revealed years of sexual abuse at the hands of her father Anthony.

When she auditioned for the role, she was told Ruby would shake things up, but had no idea about her trauma or the repercussions the storyline would unleash.

“When I joined the show, I had no idea that would be her journey,” says Beth. “You join the show and you’re given your biography, and it kept using the word ‘firecracker’. So I knew she was going to be trouble and that there was going to be tension and drama.”

It was that promise of tension and drama that made Beth pitch hard for the role in the Yorkshire-based soap, despite living in Brighton with her 11-year-old daughter.

Beth with boyfriend Ian Kelsey who previously starred on Emmerdale in the 1990s

“You really want to be a character who is driving the drama rather than a reactive character,” says Beth. “The problem with being nice is that you often become a victim because you’re reactive to circumstances rather than driving the story.”

In real life, Beth is dating former Emmerdale star Ian Kelsey, 58, who played Dave Glover for two years until he was killed off in 1996. The pair are very happy, though Beth says she’s often warned against dating a fellow actor.

“Some people go, ‘Oh God, I’d never go out with an actor.’ And there’s a joke among actors where you’ll say, ‘Is your partner an actor or a normal person?’ But I’m lucky that I’m with someone where there is zero jealousy and only support.”

The pair have been together for four years and Beth credits Ian with boosting her career by filling her with confidence. “I’m sure it’s no coincidence that my career has gone on a new trajectory since I got together with Ian four years ago,” she says. “If someone is making you feel gorgeous and talented, then you walk into a room differently, don’t you?”

Beth briefly starred in EastEnders as Shirley Carter’s cellmate(Image: BBC)

She even thinks she looks more attractive since meeting Ian because her contentment shines through. “Happiness lifts your face,” smiles Beth. Not that there has been much to smile about lately in Emmerdale, but Beth has no problems turning on the tears.

“The hilarious thing is that even though I’m happy, I’m a deeply emotional person and I’m also a perimenopausal woman,” says Beth. “I’ve always been very emotional. My daughter doesn’t even notice when I’m crying any more!”

Beth is no stranger to soaps, having broken through with Family Affairs before becoming a regular on The Bill. She briefly played Shirley Carter’s cellmate in EastEnders. However, she says Emmerdale trumps them all.

“When you walk into the building, it’s a well-oiled machine and all the departments like costume and make-up, they’re always upbeat,” says Beth. “Some shows I’ve worked on, there has been more of a divide between crew and cast, but at Emmerdale it’s very much one team.”

Beth Cordingly plays Ruby Fox-Miligan in Emmerdale and has fallen love with the role

However, while she’s “fallen in love” with Emmerdale, Beth isn’t about to move up north. “I spend a lot of time thinking maybe we should move up to Leeds,” she says. “But I’m from Brighton. I moved back in lockdown and I love that my daughter is growing up in the place where I grew up – and there’s the sea and we’re always on the beach.