EMMERDALE star Michelle Hardwick has ramped up security at her countryside mansion after receiving terrifying homophobic death threats.
The actress – who plays Vanessa Woodfield in the ITV soap – opened up about the abuse earlier this year.
Michelle Hardwick and her wife Kate Brooks have ramped up their security at their country mansion
The actress thanked the company on Instagram
Vanessa has been the target of horrific abuse because of her sexuality, and the soap star has even had to get the police involved at times because she feared for her safety.
Now she can finally see safe at her stunning country pad that she shares with her wife Emmerdale producer Kate Brooks and their son Edward, two.
Michelle told her 125k followers on Instagram: “Just wanted to say what fantastic service we have had from the very first phone call to the end result.
“Anyone local to the Leeds/Wakefield area who needs security solutions then look no further than @msc.security.solutions.”
Back in May, Michelle told OK! Magazine: “We’ve had a bit of trolling over the last few years. And there have been certain times when police have had to be called because there have been death threats.
“When they’re mentioning your son’s name and you’re just going ‘Really? I’m just in a soap you know – we’re not doing any harm to anybody.'”
Kate, who has worked on the likes of Coronation Street and Hollyoaks as well, added: “It’s all pretty horrific, isn’t it?
“The majority of people are really wonderful and supportive, but, you know, as great as social media can be, there is this real dark side to it as well.”
Michelle came out as gay nine years ago when she was in a relationship with her ex Rosie Nicholl.
They were married for two years and then got divorced in 2017.
In 2018 Vanessa confirmed her relationship with Kate, got engaged the same year and tied the knot nine months later.
The couple revealed that they were expecting their first child together in 2020.
Michelle carried their son Teddy, while Kate donated the egg.
Michelle has always praised Emmerdale for normalising same sex relationships, and couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the ITV soap.
Her much-loved character was previously in a relationship with Charity Dingle, and was recently linked to Suzy Merton.
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She said: “It’s really important to have two women, especially ones of our age, in their 40s and they’ve found love with each other.
“We’re normalising it on TV, it’s coming into peoples living rooms every night. It’s great for the younger fans who are possibly struggling with their sexuality and wanting to tell their parents or maybe their parents are watching and it’s showing them that it’s all just so normal.
Michelle and Kate have been together since 2018
Michelle plays Vanessa Woodfield on Emmerdale
