Beth Cordingly, known for playing Ruby Miligan in Emmerdale, is currently in a relationship with fellow actor Ian Kelsey, who played Dave Glover on the same soap from 1994 to 1997. The couple first met 20 years ago but both married other people before reuniting in 2021.
Previous marriage
Beth was previously married to theatre director Adam Speers, part of the team behind ATG Productions, which has produced shows like the revival of Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger and Sunday in the Park with George starring Jake Gyllenhaal. They married in 2011 and welcomed a daughter in 2013, but announced their separation in 2016.
Earlier this year, Beth shared on Instagram a video of her favourite pictures from 2016, reflecting on that challenging year. She wrote: "2016 was such a huge year for me that it took me a while to look at the photos again as I was obliterated the first time round. Always in love with my girl. I did a play that changed my life because the character made me feel kicka** strong and then we decided to change our lives forever. (Then I finished the play and stopped playing the kick** part...and fell apart! but let's not go there)."
She mentioned her father's "huge operation" and recovery, her daughter starting school and having an operation, and added: "My friends put an arm around me while I laughed and cried." She also said: "I turned 40 and went to J Skeekey's with girlfriends because I had always wanted to go there. I said goodbye to the last f*** I give. And for new year we took our kid to Disneyland despite being newly separated and we started a new way of living."
Current romance with Ian Kelsey
Beth and Ian, who have been together for several years, share a home in Sussex while Emmerdale films in Leeds. Beth has a daughter and Ian has two children from previous relationships. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Beth said: "I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work, him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic."
She credited Ian with encouraging her to take the role of Ruby in Emmerdale, despite the logistical challenges. "Ian was really supportive and wanted me to do it, which is lovely. There is that thing as an actor where you are always taken away from home. But he totally gets it," she explained. "He knows a lot of the crew and cast and so it’s lovely to be able to share what I’ve been up to, knowing he understands. That’s important when you are away and he is always keen to find out how filming has gone each day."
Ian previously praised Beth's work on the show, saying: "She’s doing such great work, and it’s a deep, dark storyline. She’s had to step up to the plate and her workload has been huge but she’s doing a brilliant job. I’m so proud of her."
Public tributes
In May 2025, Beth shared a sweet Instagram tribute to Ian on their anniversary, captioning it: "4 years. Admittedly he doesn’t look too over the moon about it here. (Let’s be honest, it actually looks like he’s being held captive. Blink twice, Melania.) But then I never was too good with the super keen."
Later that year, she posted a photo of them cosying up, writing "I won" and adding: "'What happens after he rescues her?' 'She rescues him right back' Name that film." In a video, Ian joked that she talks too much, prompting Beth to quip: "Donkey and Shrek. Although, TBF, he’s less like Shrek than I am Donkey. 'And in the Morning? I’m making WAFFLES!' (Except I can’t cook. So he is. So actually not like Donkey and Shrek at all.)"
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
