The ‘real reason’ behind Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden’s shock split ‘revealed’ after Emmerdale stars parted ways after 15 years together
Fans were taken aback when Charley Webb and her long-term partner, Matthew Wolfenden, revealed in 2023 that they had decided to part ways after spending 15 years together as a couple and being married for five of those years.
The actress was the one who ended the relationship, and recently, information has surfaced explaining why she apparently thought it would benefit both Emmerdale actors to part ways.
When they parted ways, Charley (now 37 years old) had relinquished her position as Debbie Dingle on Emmerdale and was launching her initial stage tour, starring as Diana Ingram in the play titled Quiz.
In light of all the positive feedback, it was apparently this latest career achievement that caused Charlie to reassess her life and make a significant life-altering choice.
A source shared with The Sun: “For the first time in many years, she felt completely herself – not as a mother or Debbie, but as a captivating stage performer.
During her solo periods, she found herself with ample time for reflection, allowing her to ponder deeply about her aspirations and goals in life.

In the meantime, Matthew, who is now 45 years old, was once again at the family residence in Yorkshire, taking care of their children – Buster (age 15), Bowie (8 years), and Ace (4 years). Later, he would prepare to depart for London, where he would be involved with the stage adaptation of Elf.
During the course of this project, I crossed paths with Heather Scott Martin, who later became my significant other. Subsequently, it’s been speculated that our relationship may have played a role in some changes that occurred.
The source mentioned: “It proved extremely challenging for Matthew, as others jumped to conclusions that he was responsible for the breakup due to his presence with Heather. Initially, he maintained a noble silence regarding the matter, choosing to address it publicly at a later stage.
After separating, the pair held onto their home for an additional year before listing it for sale at a price of £900,000 in January of the current year.
Meanwhile Charley moved in fellow actress and best pal Sheridan Smith.
44-year-old Sheridan is a parent to Billy with her ex-fiance, Jamie Horn. Lately, she parted ways with her boxing companion, Dave Ryan.
Or:
Sheridan, 44, has a son named Billy with her past fiancé, Jamie Horn. She has recently separated from her boxer boyfriend, Dave Ryan.
The pair have been huge supports for each other, both in their acting work and childcare.
They even have a dog together and last year enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Greece.



TopMob have contacted both Charley and Matthew’s representatives for comment.
Previously, Matthew candidly discussed the separation during an episode of The Lewis Nicholls Show in May, acknowledging: “It was a challenging period for me, marked by significant shifts, and to make matters worse, this additional news wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. However, as they say, life happens for a reason.
Experiencing such a challenging phase is indeed difficult, yet it’s something that life sometimes throws our way. And remember, I’m not unique in this; many others around the globe have gone through separation while dealing with child-related matters as well.
1. “Being so young, the children, it still hasn’t been long since then. This was an issue for me, and we needed to progress.”
2. “Since the kids were quite young at that time, it’s only recently passed. This worried me, so we had to move forward.”
3. “As the children were quite young when this happened, it’s only been a short while since then. This was concerning for me, and we had to continue on.”
4. “Given that the kids were still very young, not too long ago, I had concerns about the situation. We needed to advance.”
5. “With the children being so young at the time, it’s only been a short while since then. This was something I worried about, and we had to keep moving.”
He commented: “I certainly wasn’t prepared for this; it came as quite an overwhelming surprise. After being connected for 15 years, splitting up is extremely challenging. Our lives, possessions, and essentially everything we share, are intertwined – figuring that out will be a complex task.
Last year Matthew also opened up about the couple’s co-parenting journey.
During his interview on Loose Women, he emphasized that he and Charley remain close companions and collaborate effectively in finding the optimal methods for caring for their trio of kids.
He mentioned: “It seems we’re both figuring things out, but the positive aspect is that Charlie and I are still great friends.
That’s terrific! We’re still getting a hang of things, learning as we go along, figuring out the best approach, and I believe we’re on the right track.
In the heart of November 2023, I found myself standing at a crossroads, hand-in-hand with my partner, Matthew. With a heavy heart, we chose to part ways, a decision made out of love and mutual respect. This transition, while challenging, is a step towards new beginnings for both of us.
Maintaining our friendship is important, and what truly matters most is our shared affection for our kids. In consideration of them, we kindly ask for some seclusion during this period.
Indications of marital issues surfaced earlier this month, as Matthew stopped following Charlie on Instagram.
In my role as an informed observer, I can share that Charley and Matthew started their relationship at significantly distinct life stages when they initially connected.
After having three more children and pursuing different professions, their lives have undergone a significant transformation, and they may no longer function as the tight-knit group they used to be.
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2025-06-25 23:18