Julie Lordan profiles soapland’s lovedup couples
We take a look at who might be celebrating their love in the soaps during the romantic days ahead and hope that they will make it through another St Valentine’s Day
While love and romance are fodder for all soap writers, it is usually the break up of relationships that make for the most popular viewing. A soap wouldn’t be doing its job if there weren’t a airs, longings, break-ups, dangerous liaisons, indiscretion, desire and passion on a regular basis.
But through it all, there exist the happy long-term couples, or those who look like they might be there for the long haul. Di cult enough to nd but for this issue, with St Valentine’s Day on many people’s minds, we sought out some of the loving relationships that have either stood the test of time, look like they are going to last, or are worth it even if they are likely to be short lived.
In Fair City, Anto and Sharon Collins arrived with their family and are now living as tenants in Bela’s house. While they have their arguments, and shouting is part of how their family interact, Anto and Sharon are as traditional as it comes – long-time married, happy most of the time, involved in their children’s lives (too much sometimes as far as Hayley is concerned!) and look like they are not going anywhere any time soon. So, while they might not be in the rst ush of love, they certainly are the kind of couple that others in Carrigstown might try to emulate if they want their own happy-evera er. Another couple who have stayed the course are Bob Charles and Renee Phelan. ey have been through so much together, and with other people, that they now seem to have settled into a strong and loving bond. Let’s hope the parenting of Renee’s teenage granddaughter, Elly, won’t tear them apart.
Still a long way from forever, but looks like they might get there, are Will Casey and Cristiano San Martin. Will was previously married, and his wife and daughter now accept that he is not coming back into their lives in the way he was before, and Will and Cristiano seem like the real deal. Well, they all do in the beginning.
In Emmerdale, Charity Dingle and Vanessa Wood eld are only starting out. ings don’t usually run smoothly in Emmerdale where love is concerned, but the actress who plays Charity, Emma Atkins, believes that this could be the forever love for the two characters. Even though Charity had a very loving relationship with Cain Dingle, she says Charity has never felt like this before for anyone. Wonder if they will still be a couple this time next year.
Emmerdale’s long-term marrieds, Nicola and Jimmy King, are going through a few problems in their relationship. But Nicola is ghting to save her marriage and we can only hope it doesn’t go the way of so many others in the world of soap.
Also in Emmerdale, Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle have been through more than most, even by Emmerdale standards, but now they will need all their strength to survive the latest pressure. It’s complicated, but with Graham now aware of the scam that Nicola and Robert were involved in, it is sure to put a strain on the married couple, Aaron and Robert. But they have come through worse and fans are rooting for them.
Of course, Coronation Street has its fair share of romance gone wrong this St Valentine’s season. But a surprise happy coupling is Steve McDonald and Tracy Barlow. ey have known each other since they were children, were married brie y, have a child (Amy) together, were through several other relationships and marriages, but yet have found each other again. Maybe it’s because there is nobody le . Now of course, with Amy pregnant, they are drawn even closer together as parents. So, yes Tracy and Steve could eventually become the new Vera and Jack Duckworth and have their happy ever a er. But you wouldn’t want to bet on it yet.
Another loved-up couple in Corrie is Tim and Sally Metcalfe. And who would begrudge Sally some happiness. She was cheated on by Kevin Webster, her rst husband, and took quite a while to get over that. But she and Tim seem to have found something in each other that will last. Sally is just out of prison and Tim is so pleased to have her home that Valentine’s Day will be extra special for the two this year.
And the couple most deserving of a Valentine’s romantic break is Mick and Linda Carter of EastEnders whose partnership has stood the test of time. And what a test it has been for much of that time. ey have known each other since they were very young and the most recent
storyline, which tested Linda’s loyalty to Mick, involved her having an a air with Stuart, but with the purpose to get him to admit that Mick should not be in prison, but home with Linda where he belongs.
Love is thriving for David Ó Laoire and Gráinne Ni Bhraonáin in Ros na Rún, and they have just celebrated their rst wedding anniversary. So while it’s early days let’s hope they fare better than some of the other characters who have less than satisfying relationships in the village in the west.
In Hollyoaks, Myra McQueen realises that she’s bored with men and now wants something more meaningful with Sally St Claire. e pair kiss and spend the night together – and no regrets next morning. is story is all the more relevant and interesting as Sally and Myra were lovers before Sally transitioned and are parents of a grownup son.
Also in Hollyoaks, Sienna Blake and Brody Hudson have had a tough time but have come through it stronger than ever and Anna Passey, who plays Sienna, believes that they are set to shine for a long time to come. Sienna has supported Brody through Buster Smith’s sex abuse trial this week, when Brody had to confront his memories of being one of Buster’s victims. So he now deserves some good luck and it looks as if he might have found just that with Sienna. As Anna says “ eir way of dealing with each other is quite simple and straightforward, but it works for them.”
eir way of dealing with each other is quite simple and straightforward, but it works for them