All the soap stars that have dated co-stars – doomed romances to successful marriages
So many British soap stars have found love on set over the years, with some relationships going on to stand the test of time, and others quickly falling by the wayside
Numerous soap co-stars have formed relationships off screen over the years – with some going on to marry and others splitting in acrimonious circumstances.
From teenage stars to veteran actors, cast members of Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks are no strangers to hooking up when the cameras have stopped rolling.
Now, we look at the big names who have found love on set of the four long-running shows.
Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry
Whilst their characters rarely come across each other, Jeff previously explained: “We tend to learn our lines in isolation, but if we’ve got big days or big scenes, then we might run them together.”
Whilst the pair rarely discuss their romance, Zoe previously opened up about what its like to have husband on set. “It’s important to have a laugh in-between takes so upsetting stories don’t get you down too much,” she said. “Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand.”
Stephanie Davis and Charlie Clapham
A source told the Star at the time: “It’s really sweet that they were put together on the show and found love off camera too. They are both a really good influence in each other.”
The romance only lasted a few months, however, before Charlie moved on to co-stat Tamara Wall.
Joe Swash and Kara Tointon
They split following Joe’s time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, however, and he went on to hook up with Stacey Solomon.
Steve McFadden and Lucy Benjamin
They also found love away from the cameras, and were together between 1999 and 2003. Steve later revealed their split was in part the result of a controversial phone hacking scandal.
Laura Norton and Mark Jordon
The pair got engaged in 2020 and have since welcomed two children into the world.
Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden
They split in November 2023, however after admitting they had been living separately for some time. Two months later Matthew penned on Instagram: “Charley and I are still good friends. Our kids are our life and always will be.”
Lucy-Jo Hudson and Alan Halsall
After a brief split in 2015 they got back together, only to break-up for good as Lucy-Jo announced divorce proceedings were underway in May 2018.
Tina O’Brien and Rayan Thomas
Tina and Ryan dated for six years after meeting as young teenagers, and went on to have a daughter, Scarlett in 2008. After a messy break-up, Tina later revealed Ryan had told her he “didn’t love her anymore”.
She added: “I was absolutely devastated. He said he didn’t want the responsibility of a relationship with me. Ryan can be a very loving and nice guy, but he can also be laddy. He was keen to go out a lot.”
Peter Amory and Claire King
Claire later claimed that Samantha had apologised to her at the funeral of Emmerdale legend, Richard Thorpe.
Sammy Winward and James Sutton
The pair were together for around a year, but split in 2010. A source at the time revealed: “Sammy and James seemed perfect for each other. Everyone thought they would go the distance and some people still think they could get back together.
“They are a strikingly gorgeous couple and the chemistry you saw on screen was there in real life, too. It’s a shame they’ve split up but they’re both being very professional.”
Emmett J Scanlan and Claire Cooper
They share four-year old son Ocean-Torin, and daughter 17-month old daughter Fiáin-Luna.
Marc Bannerman and Nadia
Nadia previously opened up about how he helped her following the death of her husband Justin in 1997. She told OK! Magazine: “If it wasn’t for Marc I don’t know what I’d have done.” However despite their close bond, she and Marc split in 2000 after he left the soap.
Shona McGarty and Matt Lapinskas
Matt went on to appear in Dancing On Ice with professional dance partner Brianne Delcourt, with rumours circulating that the two had become close.
Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop
Brenda got a job at Eric’s factory, and from there they formed a sweet bond off-set that blossomed into romance. Chris later told the Daily Record: “That’s something else I’ve got to thank Emmerdale for. Everyone thinks it’s the younger members of the cast who have all the fun but we more mature ones do, too.
“It was weird. Somehow we’d never met before and we just kept bumping into each other at work. I can’t even remember if I asked her for a date or she asked me but she is wonderful and we’re very happy.”
