Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden reportedly enjoyed a series of ‘secret loved-up’ dates with a mystery woman before his split from wife and former co-star Charley Webb was announced.
In photo obtained by The Sun the actor can be seen walking hand-in-hand with the unknown woman as a source told the publication Charley would be left ‘shocked’ by the images.
Matthew, 43, and Charley, 35, announced their split earlier this week after five years of marriage and three children, Buster, 13, Bowie, eight, and Ace, four.
According to the publication the former soap star and the new woman, believed to be a personal trainer, enjoyed secret rendezvous between his performances in the West End’s Elf The Musical.
The mystery lady is said to have met Matthew numerous times at the theatre’s stage door and they were spotted looking close before wife Charley announced the split.
Moving on: Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden reportedly enjoyed a series of ‘secret loved-up’ dates with a mystery woman before his split from wife and former co-star Charley Webb was announced
Separation: In photo obtained by The Sun the actor can be seen walking hand-in-hand with the unknown woman as a source told the publication Charley would be left ‘shocked’ by the images (pictured together in 2017)
With a source saying: ‘They looked like honeymooners, or loved-up teenagers’.
‘The pictures will prove a shock to the heart for poor Charley, even as her relationship with Matthew unravelled.’
have contacted Matthew’s reps for comment.
The actors, who met while both working on Emmerdale, shared the news to Instagram in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Charley’s statement read: ‘It is with love and respect that Matthew and I have decided to separate. We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children. For their sake we would appreciate privacy at this time.’
Signs of trouble in their marriage first emerged earlier this month when Matthew unfollowed his wife on Instagram.
It was noted that the soap star had not shared any photos of Charley over the past year or commented on any of her recent pictures.
In his own statement, Matthew shared the same words as his estranged wife but from his own perspective.
Shock: According to the publication the former soap star and the new woman, believed to be a personal trainer, enjoyed secret rendezvous between his performances in the West End’s Elf The Musical (pictured at the premiere on Thursday)
Trouble: The mystery lady is believed to have met Matthew numerous times at the theatre’s stage door and were spotted looking close before wife Charley announced their split (pictured in 2015)
She took to Instagram to share a cryptic post earlier this month and in recent weeks she stepped out with her wedding ring on her right hand instead of her left.
Posting a selfie looking downcast, Charley captioned the post: ‘Ignoring life and all the jobs I need to do. Also I want more piercings.’
Charley and Matthew met on the set of Emmerdale back in 2006 when he joined the soap, and became engaged just three years later, in 2009.
The couple, who share three sons – Buster, Bowie and Ace – previously split in 2013 for two years, before having a surprise wedding in 2018 at Ripley Castle, Yorkshire
Statement: The actors, who met while both working on Emmerdale , shared the news to Instagram in a statement on Wednesday evening
Family: Matthew, 43, and Charley, 35, announced their split earlier this week after five years of marriage and three children, Buster, 13, Bowie, eight, and Ace, four
Friends thought they were attending a party to celebrate her 30th birthday
Charley gushed: ‘That moment when we announced what we were doing and seeing everybody’s reaction is the best moment of my life.’
Matthew added: ‘We couldn’t have had a better response. People just screamed for about ten minutes!’
Back in February 2020, following the birth of their third child, Charley admitted to OK! magazine: ‘I don’t feel like I’m finished. I don’t know how many kids I want, but I think I’ll know when I’m done.
‘I may not be able to have anymore, so who knows? I feel blessed with three healthy boys so sometimes I feel like it’s greedy having another.’
Speaking of her and Matthew’s parenting styles, she revealed: ‘I’m definitely the strict one.
‘He’s the more laidback, the fun one. He’s very hands on as a dad and so involved with the kids.’
Cryptic: Posting a selfie looking downcast, Charley captioned the post: ‘Ignoring life and all the jobs I need to do. Also I want more piercings’
History: Charley and Matthew met on the set of Emmerdale back in 2006 when he joined the soap, and became engaged just three years later, in 2009
Yikes! It comes as Matthew unfollowed Charley on social media amid reports they are ‘living separate lives’ after 15 years and three kids together