Soap stars in real-life relationships off-screen from Emmerdale to Coronation Street

The world of soap is well known for its love stories and while some thrive, others don't always go to plan and many go beyond our TV screens

Soaps are famous for their love stories, though they vary in outcomes with fans witnessing both wedding disasters and devastating affairs.

Some of these romances extended off-screen as numerous actors found love in real life with their co-stars from hit shows like EastEnders, Coronation Street, and Emmerdale.

Many soap actors have proven that romance can blossom on the job; while not all relationships survived, others flourished into marriages blessed with children.

We take a look at those who became couples in real-life, which relationships have lasted and those which sadly came to an end.

Isobel Middleton and Jane Hazlegrove

Emmerdale's new face has a surprising connection to another soap star. DI Roberts, portrayed by Isobel Middleton in Emmerdale, is actually married to Coronation Street's Jane Hazlegrove, best known for her role as Bernie Winter.

The pair exchanged vows in 2015 following a long-standing 20-year relationship – and Jane didn't hold back her affection during a 2019 interview on Lorraine, exclaiming: "She's sensational, a really beautiful woman. I am very obsessed."

Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry

Another Emmerdale duo includes Jeff Hordley, famed for his portrayal of the tough Dingle member Cain, and his wife Zoe Henry, who plays vet Rhona Kirk.

The couple didn't meet on the Emmerdale set. They first crossed paths in college back in 1994, and made it official with a wedding ceremony in 2003.

They are proud parents to two children - their daughter Violet, born in 2005, and son Stan, who arrived in 2008.

Zoe also had a stint on another ITV soap, Coronation Street, in 2007, where she portrayed the character of Casey Carswell, a child abductor and friend of Claire Peacock.

James Sutton and Sammy Winward

James Sutton is currently gracing our screens in Hollyoaks as John Paul McQueen, but it was during his Emmerdale days that he kindled a romance with a co-star.

The actor, known for his role as Ryan Lamb in the popular ITV soap, briefly dated Sammy Winward, best known for her portrayal of Katie Sugden, in 2010. However, the pair have since parted ways.

Peter Amory and Claire King

Peter Amory, recognised for his role as Chris Tate, and Claire King, who played his stepmother Kim Tate in Emmerdale, were married for a decade before they divorced.

Peter's romantic interests didn't stop at Claire; he later dated Samantha Giles, famous for her role as Bernice Blackwood, although they too have since split.

Claire reprised her role in Emmerdale in 2018 after her scheming character had previously seen her sent to prison.

Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop

Emmerdale colleagues Chris Chittell, who portrays Eric Pollard, and Lesley Dunlop, who plays Brenda Walker, found love on set and tied the knot in Cornwall in 2016.

Chris, at 77, holds the title of Emmerdale's longest-serving actor, having played Eric since 1986. Lesley joined the cast of the ITV soap in 2008 as Brenda.

Lesley and Chris started seeing each other shortly after she joined the show, both bringing two children from their previous partnerships to the mix.

Come 2024, it emerged that Lesley would be leaving her role as Brenda, while Chris remains a fixture on the show.

Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson

Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson, Coronation Street costars, tied the knot in 2009, later celebrating the birth of their daughter Sienna. The duo initially parted ways in March 2016, but briefly rekindled their romance before officially calling it quits in 2018.

Post-split from Lucy-Jo, Alan found love with former Corrie star Tisha Merry – known to many as Steph Britton. They announced their relationship in 2019 and set up home together.

Nonetheless, after a five-year relationship, they went their separate ways in February 2024, citing 'pressure' as a contributing factor to the split.

Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas

Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas, another Weatherfield pairing, dated for six years and co-parent daughter Scarlett. Their relationship ended in 2009, a year after Scarlett's arrival who is now a member of the Waterloo Road cast.

A devastated Tina shared at the time: "He said he didn't love me any more. Those were his words."

She also disclosed, heartbreakingly, that Ryan had said: "He said I didn't do it for him anymore. I was absolutely devastated."

Tina later wed Adam Crofts following a seven-year romance, and the couple has a son named Beau.

Ryan is now engaged to ex-Towie celeb Lucy Mecklenburgh, with whom he has fathered two children; they welcomed a son in 2020 and a daughter in 2022.

Nicole Barber-Lane and Liam Fox

Hollyoaks' Nicole, and Liam, known for his role as Dan Spencer on Emmerdale, were married for 16 years before parting ways in 2015.

The former couple first crossed paths in Manchester in 1997 and exchanged vows two years later in 1999. Nicole graced Hollyoaks as Myra McQueen from 2006 to 2019, when her character relocated to Spain.

During her 13-year tenure on the show, her character was recognised as one of the most tragic mothers after three of her eight children met untimely ends.

Nicole also made an appearance on Emmerdale as a nurse back in October 2005.

Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper

Hollyoaks' Emmett J. Scanlan, who played Brendan Brady, and Claire Cooper, known as Jacqui McQueen, got hitched in January 2015.

The pair have a son together named Ocean-Torin Scanlan. In June 2022, the couple shared the news that they were expecting their second child, with baby Fiáin-Luna arriving in November.

Emmett has recently been spotted in several TV crime dramas including Kin, The Bay and This City Is Ours.

Nadia Sawalha and Marc Bannerman

Nadia Sawalha portrayed businesswoman Annie Palmer on EastEnders while Marc Bannerman took on the role of Gianni di Marco, and the EastEnders stars were romantically involved for three years before ending their relationship.

Nadia, now a regular on Loose Women, is married to Mark Adderley and they share two daughters. She frequently discusses her family life on the ITV show.

Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb

Matthew and Charley Webb first crossed paths on the set of Emmerdale, where Matthew portrayed David Metcalfe and Charley took on the role of Debbie Dingle. The couple exchanged vows in 2018 and are proud parents to three boys.

In a surprising turn of events, a joint statement in November 2023 confirmed the separation of the couple. Matthew opened up on The Lewis Nicholls Show about the breakup, revealing it was Charley's decision to part ways.

"We didn't really drift apart," he said, clarifying that "Charley's decision" led to their split.

"Charley decided that was what she wanted. She wanted to separate. It was a hard time for me," Matthew expressed.

Sally Carman and Joe Duttine

Sally Carman and Joe Duttine, known for their roles on Coronation Street, started their romance in the summer of 2018 and tied the knot in July 2022.

Sally shared with OK! magazine how working alongside her husband presents its own set of challenges, as she finds it difficult to keep a straight face around him.

Mark Jordon and Laura Norton

Emmerdale's Mark Jordon and Laura Norton, who portray Daz Spencer and Kerry Wyatt respectively, met on the set and began dating in 2015.

They got engaged on New Year's Day 2019 and expanded their family with the arrival of a baby boy in January 2021.

In October 2022, they were overjoyed to welcome their second child, a daughter named Ronnie.

Natalie J Robb and Jonny McPherson

Natalie J Robb and Jonny McPherson, also from Emmerdale, sparked relationship rumours which were confirmed when they appeared together on a Zoom call during lockdown. Known for their roles as Moira Barton and Dr Liam Cavanagh, the pair have been an item since early in the year.

However, rumours circulated in June 2021 that the duo had parted ways earlier that year.

Kris Mochrie and Max Parker

Ex-Emmerdale colleagues Kris Mochrie and Max Parker portrayed brothers on the soap. They maintained their friendship after Kris exited his role and made their relationship official with a love-filled trip to Dubai in September 2020.

The pair then shared news of their engagement in January 2021, following Max's proposal.