Soap stars who dated actors from rival shows – from Michelle Keegan to Gemma Atkinson

EASTENDERS star Toby-Alexander Smith has posted his first selfie with his Emmerdale actress girlfriend, Amy Walsh.

The pair were first spotted out together in December 2020, sparking romance rumours.



Toby and Amy smile for a snap in December 2020

It was only when 34-year-old Amy, who plays Tracy Metcalfe in Emmerdale, posted a series of sweet snaps of the pair that fan speculation was confirmed.

Toby-Alexander, who plays serial killer Gray Atkins, then reshared one of the romantic selfies to his Instagram story.

The pair aren’t the first celebs to cross over and date stars from a rival soap though. Past couples have included:

Jane Danson and Robert Beck



Jane and Robert are happily married since meeting in 1999

Jane Danson is best known for her role as Leanne Battersby in Coronation Street, first appearing on the long-running soap in 1997.

Robert Beck has made appearances on several soaps but the star is currently starring in the role of Fergus Collins in Hollyoaks.

The pair first met on the set of Brookside in 1999 when Robert was playing the role of Peter Harrison on the hit show.

The couple married in 2005 and share two sons, Harry Alexander Jack, 14, and Sam Alfie Robert, 12.

Georgia Taylor and Mark Letheren



Georgia plays Leanne’s sister Toyah

Georgia Taylor plays Leanne Battersby’s stepsister Toyah in Corrie while her long-term boyfriend Mark Letheren appeared on rival soap EastEnders.

Mark played the role of Reverend Chris Skinner, but the pair actually met on the set of Casualty in 2010.

Mark, 50, and Georgia, 41, now share a Bristol home, with the former now starring in roles in DCI Banks and Silent Witness.

Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas



Kym and Jamie had a rollecoaster relationship

Kym Marsh, 45, played Michelle Connor on Corrie while Jamie Lomas was starring as gangster Warren Fox in Hollyoaks.

The pair got together after her divorce from former EastEnders star Jack Ryder.

In February 2009, the pair lost their first child, a baby boy named Archie, who passed away moments after he was born.

Kym and Jamie, 46, also share a daughter, Polly who has recently received her first acting role at the age of 8, starring in a flick about homelessness alongside her father.

The couple married in 2012 but they divorced just two years later.

Michelle Keegan and Anthony Quinlan



Michelle and Anthony broke up to her raunchy corrie scenes

Michelle Keegan first found fame in the role of Tina Mcintyre on Corrie.

Anthony Quinlan played Gilly Roach in Hollyoaks and he and Michelle dated for two years.

They first met in 2006 – a year before Michelle took on her breakout role of Tina in Manchester.

The pair split during her time on the show due to her raunchy scenes but still remain “amicable”.



Quinlan remains amicable with Keegan

The stunning actress is now married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, tying the knot in 2015.

Liam Fox and Nicole Barber-Lane

Nicole, who plays Myra McQueen on Hollyoaks, met Liam Fox, who plays Dan Spencer in Emmerdale, in 1997.



Liam and Nicole on the star of All Star Mr and Mrs

The pair tied the knot two years later and have two children but ended up splitting up in 2015.

Nicole left the channel 4 soap in 2019 after 13 years but remained amicable with Liam, even getting invited to the Emmerdale star’s wedding in 2020.

Sophie Austen and Shayne Ward

Ex-Corrie star Shayne and former Hollyoaks star Sophie managed to find each other through friends.


Sophie Austen and Shayne Ward recently welcomed a little girl
Shayne and Sophie

Sophie gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016.

Last year the actor told Lorraine Kelly that they have had to postpone their wedding because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chris Gascoyne and Caroline Harding

Coronation Street’s Chris, who plays pub landlord Peter Barlow, married wife Caroline in 2002.



Chris plays Peter on corrie

She has played four different roles in rival ITV soap Emmerdale, but switched Yorkshire for Manchester for her new job as Corrie’s latest doctor last year.

The actress’ new scenes are not her first in Weatherfield, after first appearing in 2015 for two episodes, playing the same role as a doctor.

Chris and Caroline have three children together.