Emmerdale show boss Sophie Roper has confirmed that Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) will not rekindle their romance, dashing the hopes of fans who have longed for a Vanity reunion. Despite the couple splitting six years ago, their relationship will stay firmly in friendship territory.
The pair’s romance first blossomed unexpectedly in 2017 after they were locked in the Woolpack cellar together. In the years that followed, Vanessa stood by Charity as she faced her abuser Mark Bails in court, and Charity supported Vanessa through her bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment. Their relationship ended in 2020 when Vanessa moved away to care for her mum and discovered Charity had kissed Mack Boyd (Lawrence Robb).
Friendship ‘earned’ over years
In recent weeks, Vanessa has stepped up to support Charity during her ordeal with Dr Todd, and Sophie has promised this will continue – though their relationship will not develop beyond friendship.
‘I think that relationship is a really important one on the show,’ Sophie explained. ‘Obviously, years ago, there was a romantic connection there, but I think we’ve really earned the friendship that those two women have, and I think Vanessa being a support to Charity through this story, there’s some really powerful material.
‘I really love that friendship and those connections we’ve built in the show, so definitely, [Vanessa] will formulate part of the ongoing story.’
Marriage to Mack set to be tested
At the moment, Charity is still married to Mack, but things have not exactly been smooth sailing. According to Sophie, this turbulence could be set to continue as Charity continues to cover for Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill).
‘I would say it will test them. This is a relationship where I feel Mack often is the one having to respond to bad decisions that his wife has made, and we’ll have seen that up to this point.
‘I think what I can say is they’re an incredibly strong couple, and we will fight for them to find a way through it because I think that, for everything that’s Charity’s been through and everything they’ve done to one another, it’s been a dramatic marriage and relationship, and they’ve faced a lot.
‘But I think where they’re at their best is when they unite to overcome things together. So, I think we’ll test them, but overall it would be great to see them overcome that.’
So, it looks like Charity and Mack are in it for the long haul right now, which is no doubt devastating news to Vanity fans. However, this is soap, and things can change very quickly.
