Soap land is renowned for its captivating love stories, but it's not always a fairy tale for the characters, with wedding disasters and heart-breaking betrayals being common plotlines.
It appears as though some relationships go beyond our TV screens as many actors fell for each other in real life too.
These couples hail from some of Britain's most beloved soap operas, including EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and more.
While some of these real-life relationships have fizzled out, others have flourished, resulting in marriages and children.
Let's delve into the soap star couples who have defied the odds and those who have parted ways, reports OK!
Isobel Middleton and Jane Hazlegrove
Soap fans have recently discovered that Emmerdale's newest addition, DI Roberts, played by Isobel Middleton, is married to Coronation Street's Jane Hazlegrove, who portrays Bernie Winter. The couple exchanged vows in 2015 after a 20-year romance.
During a 2019 appearance on Lorraine, Jane couldn't help but gush over her wife, saying: "She's sensational, a really beautiful woman. I am very obsessed."
Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry
Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley, known for his portrayal of Cain Dingle, is married to co-star Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona Kirk. Unlike many other soap couples, they didn't meet on the set of the ITV soap.
The couple first crossed paths in college back in 1994 and eventually tied the knot in 2003. They have two children together, a daughter named Violet born in 2005, and a son named Stan who arrived in 2008.
Zoe has also graced another ITV soap, Coronation Street, where she portrayed Casey Carswell, a child-abducting friend of Claire Peacock, in 2007.
Peter Amory and Claire King
Peter Amory and Claire King, both Emmerdale alumni, were married for a decade but have since divorced. Amory, who played Chris Tate, and King, who portrayed his stepmother Kim Tate, weren't the only on-screen family members to become involved off-screen.
Peter later dated Samantha Giles, who played Bernice Blackwood, but they too have parted ways. King made a return to Emmerdale in 2018 after her character was previously sent to prison.
Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop
Emmerdale's longest-serving actor, Chris Chittell, who portrays Eric Pollard, and Lesley Dunlop, who plays Brenda Walker, met on the set and wed in Cornwall in 2016.
Chris has been part of the ITV soap since 1986, while Lesley joined the cast in 2008.
The couple began dating shortly after Lesley joined the cast. But they both have two children from previous relationships.
In 2024, it was announced that Lesley would be leaving her role as Brenda, while Chris continues in the series.
Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson
Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson, co-stars on Coronation Street, tied the knot in 2009 and have a daughter named Sienna together. The couple split in March 2016 but later reconciled.
However, they announced their final separation in 2018.
Following his divorce from Lucy-Jo, Alan started a relationship with Tisha Merry, who formerly played Steph Britton on Coronation Street. They confirmed their relationship in 2019 and subsequently moved in together.
Unfortunately, after five years together, they parted ways in February 2024, citing 'pressure' as the reason for their split.
Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas
Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas, another Corrie pair, were together for six years and have a daughter named Scarlett. They separated in 2009, a year after welcoming their daughter, who now stars in Waterloo Road.
Tina revealed at the time: "He said he didn't love me any more. Those were his words."
She added that Ryan had told her: "He said I didn't do it for him anymore. I was absolutely devastated."
Tina later married Adam Crofts after seven years together, and they have a son named Beau. Ryan is currently engaged to former Towie star Lucy Mecklenburgh, and they have two children, a son born in 2020 and a daughter born in 2022.
Nicole Barber-Lane and Liam Fox
Nicole Barber-Lane and Liam Fox, who are known for their roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale respectively, were married for 16 years before parting ways in 2015.
The pair first crossed paths in Manchester in 1997 and tied the knot two years later in 1999.
Nicole portrayed Myra McQueen on Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2019, when her character relocated to Spain. During her time on the show, her character was recognised as one of the most tragic mothers, with three of her eight children meeting untimely ends.
Nicole also had a brief stint on Emmerdale as a nurse in October 2005.
Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper
Hollyoaks stars Emmett J. Scanlan, known for his role as Brendan Brady, and Claire Cooper, who played Jacqui McQueen, got hitched in January 2015.
The couple share a son named Ocean-Torin Scanlan. In June 2022, they announced they were expecting their second child, Fiáin-Luna, who was born 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 and Marc Bannerman, both former EastEnders actors, were in a relationship for three years before deciding to end things.
Nadia, who played businesswoman Annie Palmer, is now a regular on Loose Women and is married to Mark Adderley, with whom she has two daughters.
She frequently discusses her family life on the ITV programme.
Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb
Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb, both stars of Emmerdale, met on the set of the popular soap where Matthew portrayed David Metcalfe and Charley played Debbie Dingle. T
The couple got hitched in 2018 and are parents to three boys.
In November 2023, the couple announced their separation through a joint statement. Matthew revealed on The Lewis Nicholls Show that it was Charley's decision to end their relationship.
"We didn't really drift apart," he said, adding, "Charley decided that was what she wanted. She wanted to separate. It was a hard time for me."
Natalie J Robb and Jonny McPherson
Fellow Emmerdale actors Natalie J Robb and Jonny McPherson, who play Moira Barton and Dr Liam Cavanagh respectively, confirmed rumours that they were dating during a Zoom call in lockdown.
However, rumours circulated in June 2021 that the couple had parted ways earlier that year.
Sally Carman and Joe Duttine
Coronation Street actors Sally Carman and Joe Duttine confirmed they were in a relationship in the summer of 2018, and by July 2022, they were married.
In a recent chat with OK! magazine, Sally confessed that acting alongside her husband can be challenging as she struggles to keep a straight face.
James Sutton and Sammy Winward
James Sutton, currently starring as John Paul McQueen in Hollyoaks, found love on the set of Emmerdale with his co-star Sammy Winward.
The actor, known for his role as Ryan Lamb in the popular ITV soap, briefly dated Winward, famous for her portrayal of Katie Sugden, in 2010. However, their relationship didn't last.
Mark Jordon and Laura Norton
Emmerdale stars Mark Jordon, who portrays Daz Spencer, and Laura Norton, known for her role as Kerry Wyatt, started dating in 2015 after meeting on set.
They got engaged on New Year's Day 2019 and welcomed their first child, a son, in January 2021.
By October 2022, they had their second child, a daughter named Ronnie.
Kris Mochrie and Max Parker
Kris Mochrie and Max Parker, former Emmerdale co-stars, portrayed brothers on the popular soap.
They maintained their friendship after Kris departed from the show and confirmed their relationship with a romantic getaway to Dubai in September 2020.
The pair announced their engagement in January 2021, following Max's proposal.
