ITV Coronation Street’s Jane Danson celebrates Emmerdale star husband’s birthday

Coronation Street’s Jane Danson celebrated her Emmerdale star husband Robert Beck’s birthday on Thursday.

The actress, 45, who has played Leanne Battersby on the cobbles since 1997, took to Instagram to share a loved-up post to her fellow soap star husband, 56, who recently played Damon ‘Harry’ Harris on Emmerdale. Posting a throwback snap alongside a more recent photo, Jane penned: “Happy birthday my [heart] @robertbeck529 56 years young ! Love you forever.”

The couple’s fellow soap stars were quick to comment on the sweet post with Corrie’s Sally Dynevor writing: “Happy Birthday @robertbeck529 xxxx” while Hollyoaks legend Jamie Lomas added: “Happy birthday @robertbeck529.” Soap fans will recall that Robert returned to Emmerdale last year after 24 years, where he played Chloe Harris’ criminal villain father Damon ‘Harry’ Harris.

Yet in dramatic scenes over Christmas, Damon died in a huge twist. The villainous character had been targeting the Dingles before his true identity was revealed as Chloe’s dad. Following the soap’s car crash, where Mackenzie tried to save his estranged wife Charity Dingle and not his then current partner Chloe, she decided to call her dad and beg for his help – with disastrous consequences.

Mack was kidnapped by Damon, who tortured him for what he’d done to her daughter Chloe. It eventually led to an exit for both Damon and Chloe and her son Reuben, with Damon dying in shock scenes over the festive period.

However, this wasn’t Robert’s first time in Emmerdale as he actually appeared on the ITV soap more than 20 years ago. Robert played Bernice Blackstock’s love interest Gavin Ferris in 1999 for 78 episodes. Robert has also starred in other shows and soaps including Hollyoaks, Casualty and The Bay. He’s been married to Coronation Street star Jane since 2005.

Robert said of his Emmerdale return and storyline last year: “I am thrilled to be working on Emmerdale again, it’s a great show that I have followed for years, with a fabulous cast. It has always had a special place in my heart.

“I had a fantastic time working on the show playing Gavin Ferris, 24 years ago. The cast and crew were so welcoming and of course, I met my wife because of that job so I have much to thank Emmerdale for! I’m looking forward to getting involved and to working with such a great bunch again.”