Former Emmerdale star couple Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden have confirmed their split after five years of marriage. Rumours had been swirling about their relationship for weeks amid Matthew quitting the ITV soap and heading into the West End in Elf the Musical.

Meanwhile, Charley, who previously played Debbie Dingle for more than a decade in the Dales, has been busy touring the country in her first theatre role in Quiz the Play, about the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire coughing scandal.

Writing on Instagram on Wednesday (November 22), Charley confirmed her and Matthew's separation by posting a typed-out message on a black background which read: "It is with love and respect that Matthew and I have decided to separate.

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"We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children. For their sake we would appreciate privacy at this time. C x." Matthew, known as David Metcalfe to Emmerdale fans, also shared the same message on his Instagram story signing off with "M".

The couple met on the set of Emmerdale and began dating in 2007 before revealing they were expecting their first child - Buster - in 2009. The couple went on to have two more sons - Bowie and Ace - and they married in 2018, five years after they reportedly split for a short time.

Charley has previously told how she and Matthew tied the knot in a secret castle wedding and previously recalled how they didn't even tell guests they were getting married. They thought that they were attending Charley's 30th birthday party only to be surprised by the nuptials.

Charley and Matthew with their three sons

Meanwhile, Matthew has previously spoken about how their busy work schedules impacted their living arrangements. Joining the Loose Women panel, he said: "Charley's on tour [with the musical, Quiz]. Bless my mum and dad, I owe them a holiday after this run because they've stepped in and moved into the house.

"And they're looking after the kids, so yeah thanks, mum and dad! It's tough. And I'm a real softie with the kids as well. I just love being at home with them, to be away from them... I'm counting down the days to the weekend.