ITV Emmerdale’s real life couples from beautiful weddings to babies
Emmerdale is known for its dramatic storylines but away from the screen a string of actors have found love with their co-stars and have even gone on to marry and have children together
Emmerdale is renowned for its dramatic storylines, from murders to car accidents and even shocking kidnapping twists. On-screen relationships are equally tumultuous, often ending in disaster.
However, off-screen, a number of actors from the ITV hit soap have found love with their co-stars, leading to marriages and children.
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable stars who have found love on Emmerdale.
Toby-Alexander Smith and Amy Walsh
Amy Walsh, known for her role as Tracy Metcalfe in Emmerdale, is married to EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith. The pair tied the knot in September 2023 after three years together.
They first met in the audience of strictly -come-dancing>Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 when Amy was supporting her former cast mate Kelvin Fletcher, who played Andy Sugden. Toby was there to cheer on his co-star Emma Barton, who plays Honey Mitchell.
In 2021, Amy fell pregnant with the couple’s first child, and they now have a daughter named Bonnie.
Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden
Matthew Wolfenden, who plays David Metcalfe, joined Emmerdale four years after Charley Webb in 2006. He proposed to Charley, who portrays Debbie Dingle, on Christmas Day in 2009.
The couple went on to have three sons – Buster, Bowie, and Ace – after a nine-year engagement.
After two decades together, fans were gobsmacked when it emerged last year that the duo had called it quits. Matthew has since been seen getting close to his ‘Elf’ musical co-star.
Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry
Soap favourites Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry, known for their roles as Rhona Goskirk and Cain Dingle in Emmerdale, might not cross paths much on-screen. But off-screen, they’re absolutely smitten.
The pair first met at drama school before landing roles on Emmerdale and have since tied the knot and have two kids.
Natalie J Robb and Johnny McPherson
Their characters Moira Dingle and Dr. Liam Cavanagh might not seem like a match made in soap heaven, but actors Natalie J Robb and Johnny McPherson hit it off behind the scenes. They kept their budding romance under wraps initially but went public in 2020 after shacking up during the lockdown.
Sadly, the love story was short-lived, with Natalie finding the arrangement too “intense” after just a year.
Michelle Hardwick and Kate Brooks
Love also struck between Emmerdale’s Vanessa Woodfield actress Michelle Hardwick and show producer Kate Brooks. The couple made their relationship Twitter official in 2018 and later exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee.
The couple have two children together, Edward Peter Brooks, affectionately known as Teddy, born in 2020, and Betty Brooks, who arrived in 2022.
Dominic Brunt and Joanne Mitchell
Emmerdale’s Paddy Kirk actor Dominic Brunt is hitched to Joanne Mitchell, who had a brief stint on the soap as Sandra Flaherty, Aaron Livesy’s stepmother. The pair first crossed paths at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and share two children.
When they’re not busy filming, they also organise the annual Leeds Horror Film Festival.
Chris Chitell and Lesley Dunlop
One of Emmerdale’s most unexpected real-life couples is Eric Pollard and Brenda Walker, portrayed by Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop. Their on-screen chemistry and playful banter won over viewers, and fans were thrilled when they became an item off-screen.
They started dating in 2008 when Lesley joined the cast, got engaged in 2015, and married a year later.
Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton
Fiona Wade, famous for her role as Priya Sharma, is in a relationship with her former on-screen love interest Simon Cotton. Sparks flew between them when they met on set.
They got engaged in 2018 and tied the knot a year later. Despite no longer working together, their romance continues to flourish.
Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter
Former Emmerdale actress Chelsea Halfpenny, who portrayed Amy Wyatt until 2013, found love with her co-star James Baxter, known for his role as Jake Doland. The pair initially connected on social media and began dating in 2018, leading to their engagement announcement in 2021.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays