Over the years there have been some iconic Emmerdale couples. And when the writing is done right, we see incredible couples take over the Dales.
But quite often in soaps, storylines tend to go down a route that makes no sense. And our favourite couples often find themselves torn apart.
Just this week this was the case with the adored Emmerdale couple, Cain and Moira. As he waited for his wife to get through brain surgery, Cain found himself drunk and sleeping with Ruby, his brother’s wife.
Our guess is when Moira finds out (which is inevitable in soap world), it will tear the couple apart once again. And for another useless reason. Soaps need to also show happy long-term relationships.
So here is a round-up of some happy couples that found themselves ruined by storylines. While some may have made their way back together, fans will never forget the random break-ups which were very unnecessary.
Emmerdale couples 1: Will and Kim
When you think of Kim Tate, you immediately think icon. And when she arrived back in the village in 2019, after 20 years away, she was still the Kim everybody remembered.
But since her return, fans have been treated to a softer side of Kim, which included her finding love with Will Taylor.
The unexpected couple very quickly became adored, and fans were rooting for them to go the distance. After a bumpy day, the couple successfully tied the knot in 2022. But two years later, they’re no longer together.
One of the best things about this Emmerdale couple, was that they always seemed like a team. So when Will had a one-night stand with ex-wife, Rose, viewers were left baffled.
It continued to get ugly between Kim and Will from there as she secretly knew about it and blackmailed him. Then when he discovered it was her, she ended their marriage. The storyline didn’t sit well with fans who thought Kim and Will were much better together.
Emmerdale couples 2: Zak and Lisa
One of the most iconic Emmerdale couples would be Zak and Lisa Dingle. When the couple first met in 1996 they were instantly taken with each other. Two years later, they tied the knot.
They were the heart and soul of the Dingle clan, and a truly loved couple through the entirety of the Emmerdale fanbase. For years they were two characters who always put each other and their family first, and wouldn’t dream of anything else. Until Zak’s bizarre affair.
In a storyline that still confuses everybody, Zak strayed from his true love Lisa, and embarked on an affair with Joanie Wright in November 2015.
In true soap fashion the affair was revealed on Christmas Day, temporarily marking the end of Zak and Lisa. The storyline event went as far as Zak and Joanie getting married. But three months into their marriage, Zak finally had the realisation he made a huge mistake.
While the couple reunited and stayed by each other’s side up until Lisa’s tragic death, fans never fully saw them the same way again. And that’s because it was an entirely avoidable plot that made no sense.
Emmerdale couples 3: Chas and Paddy
This Emmerdale couple kept finding their way back to each other. But their most recent break-up seems to be final, and completely avoidable.
Chas and Paddy rekindled their past relationship in 2017, and the couple went on a heartbreaking journey together. Their baby was diagnosed with bilateral renal agenesis, a condition that prevents the kidneys from developing properly. With no chance of survival they said goodbye moments after Grace was born.
But then they had Eve Dingle, and it gave them some happiness back into their lives. All seemed as well as it could be. So when Chas had an affair with Al Chapman, it ruined the couple.
It was an unnecessary plot-line, especially after all they had been through together. While they may be amicable friends now, breaking up their relationship was disappointing.
4. David and Tracy
David and Tracy seemed like a happy family throughout their time together. They supported each other through the troubling situations they faced.
When David was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, Tracy was there to support him through every step. Then David proposed to her many times before she finally accepted.
But just when things seemed to be going well for the happily married couple, something changed. Not only did David cheat on her with Leyla, he also failed to support her when she was being harassed by an old client.
This all culminated in Tracy leaving him. But fans all wonder, was it really necessary to go down that route? They were happily married.
5. Robert and Aaron
This one still stings for a lot of Emmerdale fans, as the much-loved Robron were temporarily torn apart because Robert cheated on Aaron, while he was in prison. Which just so happened to have been a huge concern of Aaron’s that Robert kept assuring would never happen.
The couple had faced so much over their years together, and still are one of Emmerdale’s most loved couples. Aaron eventually forgave Robert, and the pair reunited.
But after the unnecessary one-night stand, it was impossible to understand why the storyline had to take that direction, instead of allowing them to just be happy.
Even years after their last break-up, if Robert returned to our screens, we’re sure fans would immediately want them back together.
6. Tracy and Nate
Tracy found herself at the centre of another cheating scandal – but this time she was the one cheating. Her and Nate were happily married, with their daughter Frankie.
But after less than a year of marriage, Tracy decided they aren’t actually compatible together, and left him. However, the last while of their relationship she had been having an affair with his uncle Caleb.
They reconnected after a while, but things were never the same, and when Nate wanted to leave the village, the pair ended their relationship for good.
7. Charity and Vanessa
Another Emmerdale couple that will go down in history is Vanity. Charity and Vanessa were another unexpected pair. But they worked perfectly together.
When they got engaged, Emmerdale fans were beyond thrilled. But they never made it down the aisle.
While the writers wrote their break-up into the show to facilitate Michelle Hardwick’s maternity leave, fans couldn’t help but wonder if there was a different way to do it.
Charity cheating on Vanessa with Mackenzie – who she is in a relationship with now – just felt like a disservice to a pairing that was so adored by fans.
Read more: What is the future for Cain and Moira after cheating scandal?
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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