Emmerdale Rhona stars life – from co-star husband to huge animal collection

Since making her debut on our televisions in 2001, Rhona Goskirk has secured a special place in the hearts of Emmerdale viewers.

Throughout her two-decade tenure in the series, Rhona has navigated an extensive array of unforgettable plots, including an intense domestic violence storyline with Pierce Harris. She also tied the knot with the Dales' beloved Paddy Kirk, with whom welcoming a son, Leo Goskirk, who was born with Down's Syndrome.

Rhona also endured the pain of losing her partner Graham Foster. But while Rhona’s life has been far from smooth sailing, thankfully Zoe Henry, the talented actress that brings her to life on screen, enjoys a far quiet life.

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She's got an impressive animal sanctuary and a soap star husband. Let's a look at her life away from the soap.

Co-star marriage

The couple rarely cross paths on the Emmerdale set as their characters are polar opposites – but Dales co-stars Zoë Henry and Jeff Hordley are very happily married in real life.

They actually met years before their Emmerdale debuts when they were studying at drama school back in 1994. Jeff once said: "We met at drama school in 1994. I saw Zoe and realised she was the girl for me." Zoe and Jeff got engaged in 2002 following a romantic proposal on the day she won an award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Manchester Evening News's theatre awards.

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They tied the knot in August 2023 in a low-key ceremony with their loved ones. They went on to have two children together, Violet and Stan, who were born in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

Speaking to Express.co.uk last year about working alongside Jeff during her wedding scenes to Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), Zoe shared: “It’s the day job, that sounds really boring but it is and it’s nice as we got to travel in together and home together."

Country home and animals

Zoë and Jeff’s life off-screen is deeply connected to nature and animals.

They reside in the Yorkshire Dales, sharing their home with an extensive family of pets, including 15 cats, eight dogs, and a 'large collection of pigeons', according to OK! magazine. Their passion for animals extends to their gardening efforts.

The couple maintains an allotment for growing fruits and vegetables, contributing to their healthy lifestyle and providing a haven for their beloved pets. Fans were also delighted to discover that the soap stars have cultivated their very own allotment, where they nurture a variety of crops, from tomatoes to cauliflower and raspberries.

This hobby became especially beneficial for their mental health during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Jeff revealed this during an appearance on This Morning at the time.

Zoe and Jeff have escaped the hustle and bustle and live in their quaint country cottage. It serves as a sanctuary away from the bustle of their on-screen lives in Emmerdale.

Jeff has described himself as a "real softie" who adores spending time on the allotment with his family. This passion project not only provides nourishing meals for the family but also acts as a therapeutic escape, particularly during stressful periods such as lockdowns.

The allotment is a place the pair can enjoy quiet time together with their children and pets and leave the drama of the Dales behind. Away from the garden, their quirky and colourful home also features fairy lights and cute cushions in their bedroom, as well as items that reflect the couple's interests – including one wall that features colourful artwork prints of Tudors such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

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