Emmerdale villain Harry's starring role in rival soap and very famous real wife

11 October 2023 , 17:30

1013     0

Robert leads a very different life away from the Emmerdale set (Image: ITV)

Emmerdale viewers have been left on the edge of their seats following the arrival of manipulative gangster Harry (Robert Beck), who has sparked fear across the village since his arrival in August. After organising a violent hit on dodgy car firm entrepreneur Caleb Miligan (William Ash), Harry has certainly made a frightening impression, and soap fans now fear for the safety of Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter), who recently brought Harry home during a moment of emotional vulnerability.

Away from the drama of the Woolpack, actor Robert leads a very different life indeed, from his loved-up marriage with his very famous wife, to a long and interesting career spent in soapland.

Years of 'joy' with famous wife

Harry doesn't exactly strike us as the romantic type, but Robert, 53, couldn't be more besotted with famous wife Jane Danson, who of course plays Leanne Battersby in rival ITV soap Coronation Street. The happy couple have been married for nearly 18 years, and doting Robert will often lavish praise on her in sweet Instagram posts.

Coronation Street star Jane Danson with her Emmerdale husband, Robert Beck (Instagram)

The couple have been married for 18 years

In one particularly adoring post marking their 16th wedding anniversary, on December 10, 2021, Robert wrote: "So.. off out to celebrate with the wife. 16 years, four houses, two kids, and a dog later… So much joy, a little bit of heartache, and always love xxx". Jane is also very supportive of her husband's acting career, expressing her delight following his recent return to Emmerdale.

Taking to Instagram with a beaming couple's snap to celebrate Robert's birthday, proud Jane wrote: "Happy birthday my love. And congratulations on your Emmerdale return - I owe Emmerdale a lot -24 years of us - I love you darling."

Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries

Jane and Robert first locked eyes at the British Soap Awards in 1999, and romance soon blossomed. The pair tied the knot in December 2005 at the Gibbon Bdirge Hotel in Lancashire, and have two sons together, Harry and Sam.

In an interview with OK! magazine, Jane, 44, admitted she'd had a crush on Robert since she was 15, and even had posters of him pinned to her bedroom walls. She added: "Rob's absolutely my best friend in the world. We've only had about two rows in 20 years. I'm not saying we don't get on each other's nerves sometimes but we're a strong team and we've always allowed each other to be individuals."

Previous parts in rival soaps

Although the character of Harry is new, Robert has appeared in Emmerdale before, as womanising barman Gavin Ferris. The boyfriend of Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles), Gavin appeared in the soap for 78 episodes back in 1999, but left for pastures new after heartbroken Bernice caught him in the act kissing Jason Kirk (James Carlton).

Robert first made a name for himself as a soap star in Channel 4 soap Brookside, where he played Peter Harrison from 1992 to 1993. From 2008 to 2009, Robert played villainous henchman Jimmy Dockerson in Coronation Street, and he's also enjoyed a stint in Hollyoaks, playing corrupt businessman Fergus Collins from March to November 2021.

Julia Banim