ON-SCREEN FAKE LOVE – OFF-SCREEN REAL LOVE: Emmerdale Star Eric Pollard’s Romantic Relationship with Co-Star’s Wife After Leaving the Soap Opera

Emmerdale’s on-screen tension has nothing on the real-life love story of its stars Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop — who play the fiery Eric Pollard and Brenda Walker. But while their characters may bicker and clash, off-screen, Chris, 77 and Lesley, 69, have built a picture-perfect romance. The couple tied the knot in 2016 after meeting on the set of the ITV soap. Their love story began behind the scenes in 2008, with sparks flying soon after Lesley joined the cast.

By 2015, they were engaged, and the following year they said “I do” in an intimate wedding in the Cornish village of Coverack. Mother-of-two Lesley was a vision in off-white as she walked down the aisle at St Peter’s Church to meet her groom Chris. The private ceremony was attended by close friends and family, and both stars brought children from previous relationships into their blended family.

Chris was married to Caroline Hunt for 26 years before separating in 2005, while Lesley has two daughters from a past relationship. Speaking to the Daily Record before they wed, Chris opened up about their romance.

He said: “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 if she asked me but she is wonderful and we’re very happy.”

Chris added: “For some people, working together would be a nightmare but we love it. We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we’re at home, though that would be just too sad, wouldn’t it?.

“And we do get strange looks when we’re out sometimes. You can see people getting confused.”

But while their love is still going strong, their professional partnership has come to a close — as Lesley recently bid goodbye to the soap after 16 years.

Lesley’s dramatic exit from Emmerdale delivered a gut‑punch to fans this summer.

Brenda was seen boarding a three‑month cruise with her step‑daughter Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling) after winning the trip in a magazine competition. But viewers assumed she’d return — until Eric Pollard received a bombshell birthday card and letter. In it, Brenda wrote “She’s not coming back. She’s rediscovered herself – a new lease of life. And unfortunately, I’m not included in it.”

Tear‑jerkingly, Eric confessed: “With the way that I treated her so badly,” he admitted, accepting her decision.

Insiders hinted at more shake-ups ahead. A source previously told The Mirror: “There have been so many exits recently and the talk is of more.

“With people like Lesley and Roxy [Shahidi] potentially in the mix, nobody feels safe. The show has grown a lot bigger in recent years but soaps are expensive to make.”