Former Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper has publicly celebrated her husband and fellow actor Emmett J Scanlan's 47th birthday with a deeply affectionate and poetic tribute shared on Instagram. The actress, renowned for her portrayal of Jacqui McQueen in the long-running Channel 4 soap, posted a series of intimate photographs alongside a heartfelt message to her partner of ten years.
A Decade of Love and Partnership
Claire Cooper, 45, and Emmett Scanlan first met on the set of Hollyoaks in 2010, where they played on-screen characters with complex dynamics. Their real-life romance blossomed, leading to a New Year's Eve wedding in New York in 2015. The couple now shares two young children, Ocean and Fiáin, while Emmett also has an older daughter, Kayla, from a previous relationship.
Instagram Tribute Filled with Admiration
In her birthday post, Claire addressed Emmett as her "twin flame" and "constant," expressing wishes for a year that "feels good in your body, steady in your mind, and full in your heart." She continued with profound admiration, writing: "You are light. You are magic. You are fire. We love you dearly and sorely. And 47 looks soooooo hot on you."
The tribute emphasised growth and authenticity, with Claire hoping the year would be "rich in the realest ways … in peace, in laughter, in love, in family, in growth, and in becoming more of who you already are." She also celebrated his artistic spirit, adding: "May your art stay feral, your vision stay sharp and untamed, and your talent keep blowing the doors clean off."
Fan and Celebrity Reactions
The post quickly attracted warm responses from followers and fellow celebrities. Actress Roma Downey joined in with birthday wishes, while other comments praised the couple as a "gorgeous" pair and a "match made in heaven." One admirer noted that Emmett, like "a good wine," only improves with age, reflecting the public's affection for this showbiz partnership.
From Soap Stars to Screen Success
Both actors have built substantial careers beyond their Hollyoaks origins. Claire Cooper joined the soap in 2006, leaving in 2013 but briefly returning for a 2023 cameo. Her post-Hollyoaks work includes roles in Sanctuary, Strike Back, Scott & Bailey, and Amazon's The Peripheral.
Emmett Scanlan, who played Brendan Brady from 2010 to 2013, has since appeared in critically acclaimed series such as Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London, Kin, and most recently, Fool Me Once. Their parallel career trajectories demonstrate how their shared beginnings on Hollyoaks have evolved into diverse and successful acting portfolios.
A Lasting Hollywood Love Story
This public celebration underscores a relationship that has endured the pressures of fame and a decade of marriage. The couple's journey from co-stars to life partners represents one of British television's more enduring romantic narratives, with their family life and mutual support remaining central to their public personas.
As Hollyoaks continues to air on E4 with first-look episodes available on Channel 4 streaming, fans of the soap and its alumni can reflect on how off-screen relationships sometimes mirror the dramatic yet heartfelt stories portrayed on television.
