Emmerdale's Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley married back in 2003

Emmerdale's real life couples from beautiful weddings to babies and public split

by · Manchester Evening News

Emmerdale is well known for its dramatic storylines from murders to car accidents and even shock kidnapping twists.

When it comes to on-screen relationships they are no better as they often end in disaster. However away from the fictional village a string of actors from the ITV hit soap have found love with their co-stars and have even gone on to marry and have children together.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most memorable stars to have found love on Emmerdale so far.

Toby-Alexander Smith and Amy Walsh

Emmerdale actress Tracy Metcalfe, who is well known for her role as Amy Walsh, is married to EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith.

Emmerdale's Amy Walsh and actor husband Toby-Alexander Smith
(Image: Amy Walsh Instagram)

In Sept 2023 the pair tied the knot after three years together. The newlyweds met in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2019 when Amy was supporting her former cast mate Kelvin Fletcher who played Andy Sugden.

Meanwhile Toby was cheering 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 Bonnie.

Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden

The co-star couple met when Matthew, who plays David Metcalfe, joined Emmerdale four years after Charley in 2006.

Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden split after 20 years together
(Image: Manchester Evening News)

He asked the actress, who plays Debbie Dingle, to marry him on Christmas Day in 2009 and they went on to have three sons; Buster, Bowie and Ace - after a nine-year engagement.

After being together for 20 years, the pair stunned fans by confirming they'd split last year. Matthew later moved on with his co-star from the musical Elf.

Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry

Co-star Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry are well known for playing Rhona Goskirk and Cain Dingle on the soap. On screen the pair hardly have any scenes together. However away from the soap, the couple are very much loved up. They met at drama school before joining the set of Emmerdale and are now married with two children.

Emmerdale stars Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley are married and have two children together
(Image: Zoe Henry/Twitter)

Natalie J Robb and Johnny McPherson

While their on screen characters Moira Dingle and Dr. Liam Cavanagh may not have been an obvious match made in heaven, It’s a different story for the stars behind them Natalie J Robb and Johnny McPherson as they grew close while they were working on set.

Keeping their relationship out of the limelight in their first few weeks of dating, the couple later went public with their romance in 2020, when they moved in together during the Coronavirus lockdown.

Emmerdale's Jonny McPherson with former partner co-star Natalie J Robb
(Image: Instagram)

However the relationship sadly didn’t last and after a year together after Natalie found it too “intense” to be living with someone so soon into their relationship.

Michelle Hardwick and Kate Brooks

Another couple who found love on the Emmerdale set are Vanessa Woodfield actress Michelle Hardwick and one of the show’s producers Kate Brooks.

The couple confirmed their relationship on Twitter in 2018 and they went on to tie the knot in a special ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee.

Vanessa Woodfield star Michelle Hardwick with wife Kate Brooks
(Image: ITV)

Together, the couple have two children, Edward Peter Brooks, who they nicknamed Teddy born in 2020, and Betty Brooks, born in 2022.

Dominic Brunt and Joanne Mitchell

Paddy Kirk actor Dominic Brunt is married to Joanne Mitchell, who briefly starred in the soap as Sandra Flaherty, the stepmother of Aaron Livesy.

The pair first met while studying at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and together they share two children, and when they're not busy on set, the duo also find time to run the annual Leeds Horror Film Festival.

Dominic Brunt has been married to Joanne Mitchell since 2003

Chris Chitell and Lesley Dunlop

One of Emmerdale’s most surprising couples is Eric Pollard and Brenda Walker played by actors Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop.

The pair's chemistry and on screen banter captured the attention of viewers everywhere and they delighted fans when they decided to get together in real life.

They first embarked on a romance in 2008 when Lesley joined the soap and then went on to get engaged in 2015 before tying the knot in 2016.

Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton

Fiona Wade, who is well known for her role as Priya Sharma in the soap is with former on-screen flame Simon Cotton. The couple first met on set and chemistry began to brew between the pair.

Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton tired the knot in 2019
(Image: Tim P Whitby/Getty Images)

In 2018 they went on to get engaged before tying the knot one year later. Although the couple no longer get to work alongside each other, their romance is still going strong.

Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter

Former Emmerdale star Chelsea Halfpenny who previously played Amy Wyatt in the soap until 2013, found love with her co-star James Baxter, who played Jake Doland, after hitting it off on social media.

After the pair met on set, they started dating back in 2018 and even went on to announce their engagement in 2021.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays