03 December 2023 , 08:30
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Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden reportedly has a new girlfriend after splitting from his wife of five years, Charley Webb, last month.
The 43-year-old actor is said to have gone on 'secret dates' with personal trainer and musical theatre star, Heather Scott Martin, after they were spotted looking like 'loved-up teenagers' in London. It is understood the pair are both starring in Elf the Musical with Heather playing the swing/dance captain and Matthew taking on the lead role as Buddy.
A source claims Heather had been 'wary' about getting involved with Matthew too soon, after he announced his split from ex-wife, actress Charley Webb, who he shares three children with. The couple decided to call time on their marriage after months of speculation in November.
Charley and Matthew announced they'd split last month after months of speculation (WireImage)
Matthew was spotted with Heather and a source said they looked like 'loved-up teens'Heather, a West End star who trained at the prestigious Brit Performing Arts School, has performed in various musicals such as Mamma Mia, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. She also offers personal training services, with a work page revealing the motto: "Leave the past behind, focus on what you can do now."
On November 22, both Charley and Matthew released statements on their social media accounts, confirming their split but vowing to "remain friends". Charley, who played Emmerdale's Debbie Dingle between 2002 and 2021, wrote: "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."
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Matthew shared the same message on his Instagram story signing off with 'M'. On the night they announced their split, it was reported Matthew had been seen kissing Heather outside the theatre. An onlooker told The Sun: "They looked like honeymooners, or loved-up teenagers."
While another source told the publication: "Heather was wary about getting too involved with Matthew too soon, but is head over heels. She was trying not to be seen with him, standing away from the stage door when he emerged from show rehearsals and shows. But now the cat is out of the bag." They added she is desperate not to be seen as the "other woman".
Matthew was spotted without his wedding ring after an appearance on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch just days before they announced their split. Charley has also been seen without her wedding ring in public. The couple met on the set of the ITV soap and began dating in 2007. They share three children together - Buster, 13, Bowie, eight, and Ace, four.
The couple previously split in 2013 for two years before surprising fans by throwing an unexpected wedding in 2018. Matthew told The Mirror at the time that their separation was never meant to be 'permanent'. He said: "It was never a permanent split, we just needed some time apart. Sometimes life just gets on top of you. We had a 'terrible' two-year-old at the time and needed time to look at what we had, but it was the best thing we could have done."
Months after announcing their reunion, the couple confirmed they were expecting a second child and their son Bowie Grey was born in December 19 that year. They recently sparked split rumours after reports claim Matthew and Charley have been "living separate lives". Matthew also left rumours swirling after unfollowing Charley on Instagram. The Emmerdale star had not commented on any of her recent pictures or posted about his wife in over a year.