Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden reportedly enjoyed a series of ‘secret love’ 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, while a source said that Charley would be ‘shocked’ by the images.
Matthew, 43, and Charley, 35, announced their divorce 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 wife, believed to be a personal trainer, had a secret meeting between his appearances in Elf The Musical in the West End.
The mystery lady is said to have met Matthew at the theater’s stage door several times and they were seen looking close to each other before wife Charley announced their split.
Moving on: Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden reportedly enjoyed a series of ‘secret lover’ dates with a mystery woman before his split from wife and former co-star Charley Webb was announced
Separation: A photo obtained by The Sun shows the actor holding hands with the unidentified woman, while a source said Charley was said to be ‘shocked’ by the images (pictured together in 2017)
With a source saying: ‘They looked like newlyweds, or teenagers in love’.
“The photos will prove to be a shock to poor Charley’s heart, even as her relationship with Matthew falls apart.”
MailOnline has contacted Matthew’s representatives for comment.
The actors, who met while both working on Emmerdale, shared the news in a statement on Instagram on Wednesday evening.
Charley’s statement read: ‘It is with love and respect that Matthew and I have decided to part ways. We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children. For them, 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 in the past year and had not commented on her recent photos.
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 wife, believed to be a personal trainer, had a secret meeting between his appearances in Elf The Musical in the West End (pictured during Thursday’s premiere)
Problem: The mystery lady is said to have met Matthew at the theater’s stage door several times and was seen watching up close before wife Charley announced their divorce (pictured in 2015)
She took to Instagram earlier this month to share a cryptic message in recent weeks she stepped out with her wedding ring on her right hand instead of her left hand.
Charley posted a selfie with a dejected look and captioned the post, “Ignoring life and all the tasks I have to do. I also want more piercings.’
Charley and Matthew met on the set of Emmerdale in 2006 when he joined the soap, and got engaged just three years later in 2009.
The couple, who share three sons – Buster, Bowie and Ace – split for two years in 2013, before having a surprise wedding at Ripley Castle, Yorkshire, in 2018.
Statement: The actors, who met while both working on Emmerdale, shared the news in a statement on Instagram on Wednesday evening
Family: Matthew, 43, and Charley, 35, announced their divorce earlier this week after five years of marriage and three children, Buster, 13, Bowie, eight, and Ace, four
Friends thought they were going to a party to celebrate her 30th birthday
Charley said, “That moment when we announced what we were doing and saw everyone’s reaction is the best moment of my life.”
Matthew added: “We couldn’t have gotten a better response. People were screaming for about ten minutes!’
In February 2020, after the birth of their third child, Charley admitted that OK! magazine: ‘I don’t feel like I’m done yet. I don’t know how many kids I want, but I think I will when I’m done.
“Maybe I can’t take anymore, so who knows? I feel blessed to have three healthy boys, so sometimes I feel like it’s greedy to have another one.”
Speaking about her and Matthew’s parenting styles, she revealed: ‘I’m definitely the strict one.
‘He’s the more relaxed one, the fun one. He is very practical as a father and so involved with the children.’
Cryptic: Charley posted a selfie with a dejected look and captioned the post: ‘Ignoring life and all the tasks I have to do. I also want more piercings
History: Charley and Matthew met on the set of Emmerdale in 2006 when he joined the soap, and got engaged just three years later in 2009
Yes! It comes as Matthew unfollowed Charley on social media amid reports they are ‘living separate lives’ after 15 years and three children together