Latest news with #TobyAlexanderSmith
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emmerdale's Amy Walsh admits taking mass soap axing ‘personally' & reveals why she found filming final scenes difficult
EMMERDALE star Amy Walsh has admitted she took the soap's recent mass cast cull 'personally'. The actress, who has played Tracy Robinson on and off since 2014, opened up about the emotional toll of filming her co-stars' final scenes after a massive cast cull. 5 The star revealed what it was like to film the explosive stunt back in February, which saw a full limo crash into an icy lake and slowly sink under water. The crash killed three characters in a massive cast cull: Suzy Merton, Amy Wyatt and Leyla Harding - who died from their injuries. Speaking about the filming the heart-breaking scenes, Amy revealed: "It was the best experience I've had on the show. I've never been involved in a big stunt. "We were doing night shoots for weeks. It was with all my closest friends in the show. "I loved all the emotional content. It was heart-breaking, but great to be involved with." Close to tears, she added: "It was hard. It was really emotional. On a personal level, I found it really hard. I'm really really close to Roxy and Natalie Ann. "They were pretending to be dead and I couldn't quite cope. I had to step away at one point. "It was just a sad sad time, but you know, it's the nature of the beast." The 37-year-old recently revealed her exciting new career move alongside her EastEnders star husband, Toby Alexander Smith. Taking to Instagram, the soap power couple announced they will be launching a drama school - in a bid to inspire fresh talent. Horrifying moment Emmerdale legend has nasty fall - leaving him struggling alone at home Toby said: "The Walsh Academy North will open on 2nd June 2025 and provide speech and drama classes for children aged from 7 to 16." Amy chimed in and revealed that herself and Toby will be the acting coaches. She added that their aim is not to make every child a TV star - but to offer a safe space from them to express themselves and meet new friends to have fun with. The Walsh Academy was established in London in 2021 by Amy Walsh's sister, Sally Sheppard Walsh. Most devastating soap deaths SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust. Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years. EASTENDERS Barry Evans - Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying. Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'. Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape. Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. CORONATION STREET Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor. When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her. Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her. In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe. Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death. This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth. As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments. Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries. Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character. Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples. Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair. Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack. Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease. Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew. The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would result in the character's death. EMMERDALE Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn. He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze. Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale. Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. HOLLYOAKS Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car. Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself. Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel. They wrote: "The academy has flourished and the students are THRIVING! That is why we are a thrilled to be bringing The Walsh Academy… to the NORTH!" The soap stars first met in 2019 while in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing and quickly moved in together ahead of the coronavirus pandemic. Two years after they met, they welcomed their first child Bonnie Mae in December 2021. In August 2023, they got engaged during a romantic holiday in Ibiza. In September 2023, they tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in front of family and friends in Montenegro. She told OK!: 'It was honestly the most perfect day. It surpassed all my expectations and more. I felt so surprisingly present on the day and loved every second. Now I'm just in pure bliss. "Our family and friends are really important to us and we wanted everyone to have the best time. 'They all made such an effort to come out there for us. Friends left their kids for the first time and spent their money getting there. We wanted it to be really special.' 5 5 5
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emmerdale's Amy Walsh reveals new job alongside EastEnders star husband
EMMERDALE'S Amy Walsh revealed her exciting new career move alongside her EastEnders star husband. Emmerdale favourite has opened up about her surprising new job - and she's teaming up with none other than her EastEnders star husband, Toby Alexander Smith. 5 Taking to Instagram, the soap power couple announced they will be launching a drama school - in a bid to inspire fresh talent. Toby said: "The Walsh Academy North will open on 2nd June 2025 and provide speech and drama classes for children aged from 7 to 16." Amy chimed in and revealed that herself and Toby will be the acting coaches. She added that their aim is not to make every child a TV star - but to offer a safe space from them to express themselves and meet new friends to have fun with. The Walsh Academy was established in London in 2021 by Amy Walsh's sister, Sally Sheppard Walsh. They wrote: "The academy has flourished and the students are THRIVING! That is why we are a thrilled to be bringing The Walsh Academy… to the NORTH!" Emmerdale actress Amy is best known for playing Tracy Robinson, while Toby played the EastEnders villain Gray Atkins. Gray's exit on the BBC soap involved his arrest and imprisonment after his murders and domestic abuse was uncovered. The soap stars first met in 2019 while in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing and quickly moved in together ahead of the coronavirus pandemic. Two years after they met, they welcomed their first child Bonnie Mae in December 2021. Emmerdale's Amy Walsh admits relationship struggle as she 'barely sees' husband a year after wedding In August 2023, they got engaged during a romantic holiday in Ibiza. In September 2023, they tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in front of family and friends in Montenegro. She told OK!: 'It was honestly the most perfect day. It surpassed all my expectations and more. I felt so surprisingly present on the day and loved every second. Now I'm just in pure bliss. "Our family and friends are really important to us and we wanted everyone to have the best time. 'They all made such an effort to come out there for us. Friends left their kids for the first time and spent their money getting there. We wanted it to be really special.' Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. Among the guests was Amy's famous sister, Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, who performed at the ceremony. As did EastEnders star Shona McGarty, who sang a duet with TikTok sensation Sonny Tennet. Emmerdale favourites Natalie Ann Jamieson, Olivia Bromley and Louisa Clein also made the trip to Eastern Europe to watch their friend say her vows. The happy couple chose to wed at the picturesque 17th century Talici Hill Rustic Villas - located at the foot of a mountain range. Amy had six bridesmaids and there were eight pageboys involved in the family occasion. In an emotional moment, Amy's dad, who is living with terminal cancer, walked her down the aisle. Toby called the moment "poignant". However, seven months after marriage, Amy admitted that married life hasn't been easy due to the couple's manic work schedules. She told stand-in Lorraine host Christine Lampard: "I've barely seen him since we got married so... we do feel like newlyweds. "We've not even been together that long, in the grand scheme of things, so our relationship is still quite new and fresh but when you throw in a toddler in the mix and work commitments then it's crazy, but we're trying to get some time for each other. It's hard." Amy revealed she and Toby were like passing ships. She continued: "Then I went full throttle into a massive storyline. I barely saw either of them, and he then flew to Bulgaria and did a film out there and it's been constantly like that and it is a struggle. I don't have family around me to help. It's tricky, but you do it." 5 5
