Soap operas are famed for their exciting romances, with the likes of Walford, Weatherfield, the Dales all seeing their fair share of explosive weddings and affairs.
However, it seems that the romantic drama is not only confined to the screen, with many actors having their own dramatic love lives away from set.
But in recent months, there’s been a spate of splits among several former soap stars, who have worked on the biggest Coronation Street, EastEnders and Hollyoaks.
While things often come to a nasty end in soap world, it appears that there’s been a shortage of happy endings for stars even after the cameras stop rolling.
From Georgia May Foote, Owen Warner, Stephanie Davis and EastEnders’ Danielle Harold – here are all the actors suffering from a recent heartbreak.
This week, MailOnline revealed that ex-Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn and TOWIE’s Ricky Rayment have split (pictured)
The couple, who started dating after meeting on a cruise ship in 2023, have gone their separate ways despite sparking engagement speculation when Katie was pictured wearing a diamond ring last Valentine’s Day
But in recent months, the pair have called time on their year-long romance, which saw Katie, 31, who’s Manchester based, and Ricky, 34, who lives in Essex, commit to each other despite living in different cities
This week, MailOnline revealed that ex-Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn and TOWIE’s Ricky Rayment have split.
The couple, who started dating after meeting on a cruise ship in 2023, have gone their separate ways despite sparking engagement speculation when Katie was pictured wearing a diamond ring last Valentine’s Day.
Katie, who left Corrie in 2022 after her character Sinead Tinker died of cervical cancer, and Ricky, famed for his appearances on ITVBe’s The Only Way Is Essex, said they ‘couldn’t be happier’ during their first interview as a couple last year.
But in recent months, the pair have called time on their year-long romance, which saw Katie, 31, who’s Manchester based, and Ricky, 34, who lives in Essex, commit to each other despite living in different cities.
The exes have even removed all trace of each other from their respective Instagram profiles including loved up posts from holidays together and the announcement of their relationship.
A source revealed to MailOnline: ‘Katie and Ricky have ended their romance, they’re still friends and want to remain civil but in terms of a romantic relationship, it’s definitely over.
‘It was difficult at times for them dating even though they lived miles apart from each other but ultimately it just wasn’t meant to be.’
Ricky said Katie first caught his eye as she appeared on ITV soap Coronation Street, where she portrayed Sinead Tinker between April 2013 and March 2020.
The actress, who’s also starred in Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, admitted that before meeting Ricky in person, she judged him based on the years he appeared on TOWIE when he was known for dating ex-girlfriend Jess Wright.
She said: ‘I recognised his face and just assumed he wasn’t going to be my type of person – you know, Jack, the lad from Essex – and I took it for granted we wouldn’t get on… happy to say I got that one wrong.’
Over the weekend, former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote hinted she is no longer with husband Kris Evans after removing all traces of him from social media (seen together)
However it looks like their relationship could be over, with the couple reportedly ‘heading for a divorce’ and Georgia ‘looking to the future’
Over the weekend, former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote hinted she is no longer with husband Kris Evans after removing all traces of him from social media.
They have kept details of their romance under wraps since meeting in 2018, but the pair got engaged three years later and tied the knot in July 2023.
However it looks like their relationship could be over, with the couple reportedly ‘heading for a divorce’ and Georgia ‘looking to the future’.
A source told The Sun last week: ‘Georgia’s marriage to Kris seems to be over. It’s on the rocks.’
Georgia, 34, has reportedly removed her wedding ring and wiped all traces of the musician from her Instagram – including glossy snaps from their wedding day.
Her wedding ring was noticeably absent in a recent Instagram post, where she enjoyed a spa break with her best friend.
However, despite their rumoured split, the duo appear to still be on amicable terms as it’s been reported they are still living together.
A friend of the couple told The Sun: ‘Georgia has been through a lot recently and it’s not surprising that it has put strain on her marriage.
‘She told friends that she wanted a fresh start after the terrible fire earlier this year and she’s just not sure where Kris fits into that. They are still on good enough terms to stay in their home together,’
Georgia announced her engagement to Kris on New Years Eve, 2021. She revealed Kris had popped the question in a stunning snap posing on a beach in Gran Canaria
Her wedding ring was noticeably absent in a recent Instagram post, where she enjoyed a spa break with her best friend (pictured)
Another source revealed that many of the couple’s issues centred around their financial situation.
Georgia, who is best known for playing Katy Armstrong in Corrie for five years from 2010, recently admitted that acting work has dried up over the last few years.
After her character was brutally killed off in a car crash, the model went onto appear in reality TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Juice, while she had a regular role on American fantasy series The Outpost in the early 2020s.
But speaking to Sausage on a Fork podcast this week, she confessed she’s had a ‘nightmare’ trying to book jobs and said the last few years have been ‘the quietest time’ of her life.
Georgia said: ‘I came back in the December of 2020 and I just realised, “Oh my God, there’s no work.”
‘Everything that got stopped filming in the UK then got put on a back burner, and then there was a backlog of what was about to start filming. Then everything behind that took four years to come out, then we had the writers’ strikes.’
Georgia continued: ‘It’s just been a nightmare. And that’s why this has been the quietest I’ve ever been in my life. I think a lot of actors around the world will say the exact time.’
In addition to her lack of screen work, Georgia was dealt another devastating blow last month when her nail salon burnt down, having started the business to earn extra income amid her struggle to bag acting jobs.
However, despite their rumoured split, the duo appear to still be on amicable terms as it’s been reported they are still living together
Georgia, who is best known for playing Katy Armstrong in Corrie for five years from 2010 (seen on soap in 2015) recently admitted that acting work has dried up over the last few years
Georgia was forced to start a crowdfunding page to raise cash to get her company, as well as other businesses affected, back up and running.
She said of the blaze: ‘Within two hours the whole building was alight, and the whole thing burnt down. We weren’t allowed back in there and nothing has been salvaged.
‘Four years’ worth of products and stock and everything. We can’t get back to work without that stuff. It’s thousands of pounds of stuff. You can’t just go and buy it.
‘I did start a fundraiser to raise some money for these ladies to help us get back on our feet and build our stock back up again that we’ve lost.
‘It’s passed the £12,000 mark. I’m really happy. It makes me really emotional to speak about it. I just know it’s a lot of women’s only income. I’m lucky that I still do my voiceovers and I do have jobs coming in.
‘But, at the same time, I lost a lot of money in that fire. But people have lost entire homes worth of stuff that can’t be replaced.’
Last month, it was reported that Hollyoaks stars Owen Warner and Jemma Donovan have split after two years of dating (Seen in 2023)
The co-stars, who are known for playing Romeo Nightingale and Rayne Royce in the Channel 4 soap, went public with their romance in April 2023
Owen, 26, and Jemma, 25 – who is the daughter of Australian star Jason Donovan – first met while working on the soap and he was introduced to her famous dad on holiday
Last month, it was reported that Hollyoaks stars Owen Warner and Jemma Donovan have split after two years of dating.
The co-stars, who are known for playing Romeo Nightingale and Rayne Royce in the Channel 4 soap, went public with their romance in April 2023.
Owen, 26, and Jemma, 25 – who is the daughter of Australian star Jason Donovan – first met while working on the soap and he was introduced to her famous dad on holiday.
However The Sun reported that they have now called it quits, with their split said to be very sudden.
A source said: ‘It’s over and they’re no longer friends. It was very sudden – everyone was so upset for them.’
It is the second time the pair have reportedly split after they called it quits back in August 2023, just months after going public with their romance.
Owen and Jemma had made their red carpet debut at the British Soap Awards 2023 back in June just a few months before.
A source said at the time: ‘They had great fun together but, long term, decided it’s better to just be friends. They are both super- professional, so it won’t change anything at work.’
It is the second time the pair have reportedly split after they called it quits back in August 2023, just months after going public with their romance (seen in 2023)
Jemma had appeared on Owen’s social media many times during their romance and he had been introduced to her famous dad and family on a holiday (pictured with dad Jason)
Jemma had appeared on Owen’s social media many times during their romance and he had been introduced to her famous dad and family on a holiday.
The couple confirmed their romance in April 2023 when Owen took to Instagram to share a video pretending to propose to her while on a hike in Mallorca with her family.
The clip was buried among a slew of loved-up family holiday snaps as he joked about getting down on one knee in the caption.
He wrote next to the video: ‘She’s still not forgiven me for that one!’, after he shocked her with the move.
The clip showed them hugging while taking in the mountain views before he gets to the ground before quickly jumping back up to indicate it was a joke.
She looked shocked at the ‘proposal’ and covered her mouth with her hands before he started laughing at her.
Speaking about Speaking about their romance earlier that year, Owen told The Sun: ‘Jemma kept messaging me and messaging and asking me to go on dates and then I just gave in.
‘Ahhh seriously though it took me a while to pluck up the courage to ask her out. I’ve just been on holiday with her family they are all amazing.’
Last month, Stephanie Davis confirmed she has split from boyfriend Joseph McKalroy just four months after the ex couple welcomed their baby boy
The Hollyoaks and Corrie star, 31, announced the end of their relationship in a statement to fans on Instagram that began: ‘Never in a million years did I think I’d be writing this’
Stephanie and Joseph had been together since 2022 and welcomed son Samuel in January this year (pictured)
The break-up marks another chapter in what’s been a rollercoaster love life for the soap star – who is also mum seven-year-old son Caben
Last month, Stephanie Davis confirmed she has split from boyfriend Joseph McKalroy just four months after the ex couple welcomed their baby boy.
The Hollyoaks and Corrie star, 31, announced the end of their relationship in a statement to fans on Instagramm that began: ‘Never in a million years did I think I’d be writing this.
She continued: ‘I’ve been left with no choice but to address the rumours. This has come as a complete shock and has been an incredibly painful and unexpected time.
‘Just four months after having a baby-one of the most vulnerable and emotional times in a woman’s life-I’ve found myself facing this chapter on my own.
‘After everything I’ve been through in the past, I truly believed I’d finally found my happiness-something secure and lasting. But that, heartbreakingly, hasn’t been the case.
‘I’m greatful [sic] for the years we had because without us I wouldn’t have my Samuel. Who will always be my priority.
‘Right now, I’m focusing on healing. protecting my peace, and doing the best I can-being there for my two beautiful boys. Thank you to those who’ve reached out-your kindness has meant more than I can say. Stephanie X.’
Stephanie and Joseph had been together since 2022 and welcomed son Samuel in January this year.
Confirmation of their split comes after eagle-eyed fans had noticed Steph failed to mention Joseph on Father’s Day.
Stephanie has openly spoken about the heartache she and Joe endured in 2022 after suffering a miscarriage at three months, describing it as a ‘horrendous’ time and revealing they had already planned a future as a family of four.
The break-up marks another chapter in what’s been a rollercoaster love life for the soap star.
She also shares seven-year-old son Caben with ex-boyfriend and Celebrity Big Brother co-star Jeremy McConnell, who was convicted of assaulting her in 2017.
MailOnline previously revealed that EastEnders co-stars Danielle Harold and Max Bowden had a ‘secret offscreen romance’ during their time on the BBC soap
The two actors, whose characters Lola Pearce and Ben Mitchell shared a child together, dated for years but kept their relationship under wraps (pictured on soap together in 2020)
One recent soap split sent shockwaves, as fans had no clue that the pair were even dating in the first place.
MailOnline previously revealed that EastEnders co-stars Danielle Harold and Max Bowden had a ‘secret offscreen romance’ during their time on the BBC soap.
The two actors, whose characters Lola Pearce and Ben Mitchell shared a child together, dated for years but kept their relationship under wraps.
Danielle, 32, left the long-running series in 2023 after Lola died from a brain tumour while Max, 30, exited the following year.
Their relationship was only discovered after the pair sadly called it quits in February, as they sparked speculation among fans over what had gone wrong between them when they unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Sources close to the couple, who featured together on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, then revealed to MailOnline can reveal they fell out over the breakdown of their relationship.
They said: ‘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.
‘Their relationship hasn’t ended on the best terms, and they have even unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Their relationship was only discovered after the pair sadly called it quits in February, as they sparked speculation among fans over what had gone wrong between them when they unfollowed each other on Instagram
‘There are a lot of emotions after they were friends, colleagues, and romantically involved for such a long time.’
After Daniella was killed off from EastEnders, Max shared a gushing tribute to her on Instagram, where he said: ‘Our girl. What you have achieved in the last twelve months is extraordinary. My whole EastEnders ‘journey’ started with you, and what a ride it’s been.
‘Watching you work so closely everyday has been inspiring but hasn’t quite topped being your friend. You’ve been there for all of us when we’ve needed a friend, and for that I can only thank you.’
Speaking about her close relationship with Max to promote their episode of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which aired on Valentine’s Day, Danielle said: ‘It’s nice to do something fun. With EastEnders, our storylines are really heavy and really sad.’
In response to Antiques Road Trip expert Ishy Khan, who said, ‘You can tell there’s love there’, Danielle replied: ‘Yeah, there is. He loves me really. He pretends like he don’t, but he does.’
Max added: ‘We did some really dark and beautiful storylines together so we’ve spent a lot of time in each other’s pockets, which is why we’re so comfortable with each other.’
