ERIC Pollard and Brenda Walker are an Emmerdale institution at this point and fans will be thrilled to learn that the soap couple are also an item in real life.
The popular soap couple are portrayed by actors Chris Chittell, 76, and Lesley Dunlop, 68.
Chris and Brenda first met in 2008 when Lesley made her debut in the dales. Meanwhile, Chris has been starring on the soap since 1986.
During a 2012 interview with the Daily Record, Chris admitted there was an instant spark between them.
“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 on a date or she asked me, but she is wonderful and we’re very happy,” he revealed.
This connection translated to their characters, too, who became a couple shortly after Brenda’s arrival in the village.
Although they’ve had a rocky relationship with many obstacles to overcome.
The latest has been Eric’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, which he didn’t want to share with Brenda.
Last year, Eric revealed the tragic news that he has Parkinson’s Disease to Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) in emotional scenes.
Viewers learned of his diagnosis during flashback scenes when Lydia (Karen Blick) attempted to work out who killed Craig Reed (Ben Addis) – with Eric confiding in Mandy how terrified he is of the future.
Scared to tell Brenda, Eric instead to break up with her out of the blue, leaving her devastated.
But, after a change of heart, Eric opened up to her, and she vowed to stick by him.
Chris, who is Emmerdale’s longest serving cast member, said he feels “privileged” to be given the storyline.
“I want to do this storyline justice for the most courageous of people who are having to bear the brunt of this condition,” he explained.
Happily, he is fit and healthy in real-life and enjoys spending time with his wife, Lesley.
Chris and Lesley began a real-life relationship after meeting on the set of Emmerdale.
They got engaged in 2015, marrying the following year, on June 18, in Cornwall.
The couple enjoyed an intimate ceremony with their close family and friends. This includes their four children from previous relationships.
Chris shares Rebecca and Ben with his ex-wife Caroline Hunt, who he split from in 2015, while Lesley has two daughters, Daisy and Rose, with her former partner, musician Christopher Guard.
Members of their TV family were also present, including Emmerdale stars Bhasker Patel, Sam Hall and Nicola Wheeler.
They looked lovely, all dressed up for their summer wedding, with Lesley looking radiant in an off-white gown, fairytale-esque gown and veil, complete with a flower crown.
Meanwhile, Chris looked equally impressive, suited and booted in a three-piece beige ensemble, which he paired with blue suede shoes.
Chris and Lesley credit Emmerdale with bringing them together, and admit that they love going to work together each day.
“For some people, working together would be a nightmare, but we love it,” Chris said.
However, they do draw a strict line between their work and home lives.
Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling.
Max Parker and Kris Mochrie
Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey
Laura Norton and Mark Jordan
Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley
Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell
Sally Carman and Joe Duttine
Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston
Jane Danson and Robert Beck
Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne
Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed
Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward
“We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we’re at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn’t it?” ITV star Chris said.
Although, while they find it easy to leave their characters at work, viewers are not always able to when they seem them out and about.
“We do get strange looks when we’re out sometimes. You can see people getting confused,” Chris admitted.
It has its benefits, though. Being a real-life couple made their relationship storyline a lot easier to film when Emmerdale had strict social-distancing rules in place because they were part of the same household bubble.
Lesley had previously said that she disliked it when the pair would have to do romantic scenes together in front of the Emmerdale crew because it felt like they should be solely private moments.
However, it seems like it’s become less of an issue as the years have gone by.
Long may Eric and Brenda’s relationship last – both on and off screen.
