ITV Emmerdale Natalie J Robb’s love life including split from soap co-star
Emmerdale legend Natalie J Robb quietly ended her relationship with her co-star back in 2021
Natalie J Robb plays Moira Dingle in Emmerdale (Image: ITV)
Fans of Emmerdale will be left astonished to discover that actress Natalie J Robb once had a romantic relationship with one of her fellow cast members. The 51-year-old is recognised for her portrayal of Gemma Clewes in EastEnders, Trish McDonald in the Scottish soap opera Take the High Road, and Jude Carlyle in Doctors.
She joined the Emmerdale cast back in 2009, taking on the role of Moira Dingle, a character who has been at the centre of numerous unforgettable plotlines throughout the years.
These have included her affair with her now-husband Cain (played by Jeff Hordley), the murder of Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney), an affair with Cain’s long-lost son Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter), and a diagnosis of a meningioma brain tumour.
Earlier this year, Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) blackmailed Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) into planting illegal IDs at Butler’s Farm, resulting in Moira’s wrongful imprisonment. She has since been freed and is now in the process of establishing her own farm with the Dingles, following Joe’s takeover of Butler’s, reports the Mirror.
Liam Cavanagh has been helping his friend Cain Dingle through a cancer diagnosis (Image: ITV)
Adding to the family’s troubles, Cain was also diagnosed with aggressive, yet localised, prostate cancer this year, with his loved ones continuing to support him through his post-surgery recovery.
As Moira settles into her new life at Wishing Well Cottage, soap fans may be taken aback to learn that Natalie previously dated a co-star. She began a relationship with Jonny McPherson, who portrays Dr Liam Cavanagh in Emmerdale, in July 2020. The couple moved in together during the first COVID-19 lockdown, before quietly parting ways in early 2021.
Speaking to The Sun, Natalie previously explained that the pandemic had complicated their romance. “Unfortunately, it was Covid times, so there was this added pressure. He moved in with me during the first lockdown and it was just too intense, too soon,” she said.
“And if you’re not used to that, which I hadn’t been for a while, we realised pretty quickly that we were better off as friends.”
Natalie used to date her Emmerdale co-star Jonny McPherson (Image: Instagram)
The star also disclosed that she maintains a good relationship with her former partner when they film together in Leeds.
“We were doing a few scenes together the other day and it was lovely to see him,” Natalie previously shared. “Our characters don’t really have much to do with each other on screen, so it was nice working with him.”
The duo recently worked together once more as Moira and Liam dealt with Cain’s cancer diagnosis.
Since parting ways with Natalie, Jonny has entered a “happy” relationship with his new partner. Speaking to OK! Magazine, the actor previously shared: “I am with someone. She is absolutely wonderful. We’ve been together for a couple of years. I am really happy.”
Meanwhile, Natalie told the Mirror that she doesn’t have any intention of settling down and getting married. “I don’t believe people need marriage anymore. A lot of them have children – that’s a marriage in itself. I’m 50 now, I spent a lot of time trying to find love but it wasn’t the right thing for me,” she said.
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX