ROMANCE in soap land doesn’t just happen onscreen – there have been plenty actors who hooked up off air – but their relationships just didn’t stand the test of time.
Some of the biggest names in soap have – from Steve McFadden, Gillian Taylforth to Ryan Thomas.
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Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien was once all loved up with her cobbles co-star Ryan Thomas.
The pair, who play Sarah Platt and Jason Grimshaw respectively, were together from 2000 until their split six years later.
Ryan and Sarah share a daughter together, 16-year-old Scarlett.
Staying in Weatherfield, actors Rob Mallard and Daniel Brocklebank were once an item.
Rob, who plays Daniel Osborne, publicly came out as gay in 2017 and in the same year confirmed his relationship with Daniel, who stars as Vicar Billy.
Scooping the gong for Best Newcomer at the Soap Awards, Rob said in his speech: “Even though this is fantastic, Dan, you’re the best thing I’ve ever taken home.”
However, they both revealed their relationship had reached a “natural end” in 2020.
Over 200 miles away in the East End, Walford co-stars Jacqueline Jossa and Tony Discipline were previously an item.
The former flames starred together in EastEnders, split in 2013 after a year-and-a-half of dating.
Last month we exclusively revealed how Jacqueline, 32, had split from husband Dan Osborne after eight years of marriage.
Sticking with Walford residents, Kathy Beale star Gilliant Taylforth previously dated her co-star Nick Berry.
Nick – who played Simon Wicks – starred in the soap as Gillian’s on-screen step son.
Off-screen, the pair dated for three years between 1985 and 1988 before splitting.
Former EastEnders star Max Bowden, who played the latest incarnation of Phil Mitchell’s son Ben, previously dated Shona McGarty.
Shona last year bowed out from her role as Whitney Dean but in 2022 went out with co-star Max for six months.
Max, 30, also struck up a romance with Danielle Harold – but they managed to keep their relationship a secret.
Danielle and Max dated for a number of years. Of course, it was known among the EastEnders cast and everyone thought they were sweet together
Soap source
Suspicion was sparked after they unfollowed each other on Instagram earlier this year.
A source told Daily Mail: “Danielle and Max dated for a number of years.
“Of course, it was known among the EastEnders cast and everyone thought they were sweet together.
Phil Mitchell star Steve McFadden previously dated his co-star Lucy Benjamin who has played his on-screen before.
Sadly their relationship didn’t work out and they split in 2003 after four years together.
Over in the Yorkshire Dales and Emmerdale stars Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb were once a thing.
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The ITV soap favourites – who married in 2018 but split in 2023 – had hunkered down in the Harrogate home with their kids Buster, 14, Bowie, nine, and Ace, five.
Earlier this year it was revealed how the pair – who are co-parenting – had placed their home on the market.
Meanwhile, former co-stars Claire King and Peter Amory married after finding love.
Peter, who played Chris Tate on the ITV soap from 1989 to 2003, tied the knot with Claire – who plays Kim Tate.
The soap stars were together for 10 years before their marriage ended in a VERY bitter divorce.
It was alleged that Peter was having an affair with Emmerdale co-star Samantha Giles who portrayed Bernice Blackstock.
Soap’s most harrowing teen storylines
We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
Belle Dingle’s schizophrenia in Emmerdale – Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral.
The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma’s voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being.
Hannah Ashworth’s anorexia in Hollyoaks – Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body.
As Hannah’s condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life.
Bethany Platt’s grooming ordeal in Coronation Street – Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie’s darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator.
The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her.
Whitney Dean’s abuse from Tony in EastEnders – Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca’s boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him.
On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years.
