Tony Audenshaw, best known for playing Bob Hope on the ITV soap Emmerdale, has endured profound personal tragedy. In 2017, his wife Ruth died from pancreatic cancer at age 43 after a 16-month battle. The couple had been married since 1996 and shared two children, George and Emily.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Speaking to The Mirror, Audenshaw recalled the moment Ruth was told she had only months to live. “I remember being very quiet as we walked to the hospital car park, then breaking down in the car. Before, we worried about forgetting to put the bin out. Now Ruth was going to be dead within a year after a horrible illness,” he said.
Openness with Their Children
In a 2019 appearance on This Morning, Audenshaw discussed how he and Ruth handled the diagnosis with their children. “We had a policy of being very open and honest. I thought with the diagnosis being so bad, we knew time was of the essence. We said things were bad and she hasn't got long to live. She’s young, she’s fit, with luck she might live a bit longer. We had some big conversations throughout the whole experience,” he explained. He added, “It’s a very tough conversation. I felt it was the right way to deal with it. I think talking about things are really important. And talking about things after Ruth was gone, and having things written down to remember what her wishes were helps.”
Ruth's Final Wish
In 2025, Audenshaw revealed the heartbreaking final message Ruth left for him. She requested that if he ever ran the London Marathon again, he do so to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK. An avid runner, Audenshaw had previously participated in the marathon but stopped after Ruth’s 2015 diagnosis. “She left all her friends and family a card to read after she died, and in it she said, 'If you run London again, will you do it for pancreatic cancer?'” he told PA. “She also then added something like, 'no pressure, if you don't fancy it don't', which is very Ruth.”
Life and Grief
Audenshaw has been open about the ongoing nature of grief. On This Morning, he said, “She was very fit, healthy and a runner. I really miss Ruth — grief is not linear. It goes up and down. I grieve, go to work, keep busy. Let’s have more miserable storylines to cheer me up at work!”
Since joining the soap in 2000, Audenshaw’s character Bob has been involved in numerous dramatic storylines, including romantic disasters and the death of his teenage son Heath on New Year’s Day. Despite the on-screen drama, the actor’s real-life heartbreak has resonated deeply with fans.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
