Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick shared a festive snap of her enjoying time with her wife, Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks. Michelle has played the role of Vanessa Woodfield since her debut in 2012 when she was hired by Rhona Goskirk, an old friend from university, to work as a locum.

It was in the Dales that she met her wife Kate Brooks, producer of rival soap Coronation Street. Kate was previously the producer on the set of Emmerdale which is where her and Michelle were first introduced. They started dating shortly after Michelle split from her first wife in 2017.

In 2019, Michelle and Kate got married at a stunning venue in Memphis. Michelle donned a white jumpsuit whereas Kate stood proudly by her side in a vintage-style maxi dress, as they both carried matching bouquets.

The couple also have two children, a son named Edward “Teddy” Peter Brooks, born in 2020, and a daughter named Betty Brooks, born in November 2022, making their family of three into four.

Taking to her Instagram, Michelle posted an adorable snap of their two children dressed as Christmas elves as well as Kate, and wrote: “Our annual trip on The Polar Express”. She then added that it was a “magical evening”.

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This comes just one week after Michelle praised Kate for her work on an episode of Coronation Street which was told entirely through CCTV and camera of Todd Grimshaw’s abuse at the hands of Theo Silverton.

Michelle penned: “Ok, proud wife alert here. If you’ve not caught tonight’s episode of @coronationstreet then please catch it on ITVX. ‘What about an episode through the cameras in the house, will it work?’

“Yes, yes it did Kate Brooks. From your genius idea, to @ijkershaw incredible writing and the ridiculously talented @matthiltondir directing. I mean, what a team.

“Not forgetting the amazing @garpierce and James Cartwright. The talent… A hard watch. An important watch. Proud of you @thekatebrooks”.

Kate made the move over to Coronation Street in 2024, and at the time Michelle gushed: “PROUD WIFE ALERT. So the news is out that my beautiful, talented wife is swapping the Dales for the Cobbles to take on the role of Coronation Street Series Producer.”

She added: “I know everyone at Emmerdale will miss her smiley face and fabulous story brain. To all my friends at Coronation Street, you’re very lucky, you’ve got a good one there. Good luck Kate! Me, Teddy and Betty are all so proud of you and love you all the world and more.”

For Michelle’s character Vanessa, Christmas could be an explosive one. Vanessa and Charity are strong-armed into spending Christmas Day together. Charity’s firefighting when Vanessa stays for Christmas dinner and Charity panics when Vanessa is drunk and Charity worries what she will say. Mack and Charity cuddle up happy to have each other at Christmas, but a threat looms.