Matthew Wolfenden, the British actor best known for playing David Metcalfe on Emmerdale, has seen his personal life become a topic of widespread public interest in recent years. Reports in early 2025 focus on his separation from wife Charley Webb, their co-parenting of three young sons, and a notable career change from Emmerdale to Hollyoaks. Several other claims surrounding his health and on-set conduct remain unconfirmed by official sources.
Wolfenden and Webb, who met on the set of the ITV soap, announced their separation in 2023 after five years of marriage and nearly two decades together. The couple share three sons: Buster, Bowie, and Ace. Wolfenden has spoken publicly about the importance of maintaining a stable environment for the children, describing a week-on, week-off arrangement with Webb, who lives across the road.
Since the split, Wolfenden has also been linked to a new partner, Heather Scott-Martin. Professionally, he has moved to the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, taking on the role of Jonah Keane.
Who Is Matthew Wolfenden’s Partner?
Matthew Wolfenden at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Wolfenden |
| Born | 5 May 1980, Halifax, West Yorkshire, England |
| Profession | Actor, screenwriter, former dancer |
| Famous For | David Metcalfe on Emmerdale |
| Current Role | Jonah Keane on Hollyoaks |
| Ex-Partner | Charley Webb |
| Current Partner | Heather Scott-Martin (reported) |
| Children | Three sons with Charley Webb |
Why Did Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb Split?
The couple did not release a detailed public statement explaining the reasons for their separation. Wolfenden described the split as amicable and has spoken positively about maintaining a friendship with Webb. In an interview, he referred to her as his “best friend.” Both have stated their primary focus remains their children’s well-being. The separation was confirmed in 2023.
Does Matthew Wolfenden Have a New Girlfriend?
According to multiple reports, Wolfenden is in a relationship with Heather Scott-Martin. The Mirror reported that “the boys love Heather,” suggesting that she has been introduced to his children. Wolfenden himself has not made a formal public announcement about the relationship, and the couple maintains a relatively private profile.
How Many Children Does Matthew Wolfenden Have?
Wolfenden has three sons. He and Charley Webb welcomed their first child, Buster, in 2009. Their second son, Bowie, was born in 2015, and their youngest, Ace, arrived in 2019. The actor has stated that he and Webb aim to keep their children “in a good place” and focus on whether they are “happy and thriving.”
What Illness Does Matthew Wolfenden Have?
No credible sources have reported that Matthew Wolfenden suffers from any current illness or medical condition. The actor has not made any public statements regarding a health issue.
Is Matthew Wolfenden Sick or Suffering from a Condition?
There is no evidence to support claims that Wolfenden is ill. The rumors appear to be unsubstantiated speculation circulating online. The available reporting on Wolfenden focuses exclusively on his personal life and career, with no mention of any health concerns from the actor or his representatives.
None of the available journalistic sources—including Wikipedia, the Mirror, Digital Spy, and Express—report any illness for Matthew Wolfenden. Claims of a health issue remain unsupported.
Why Was Matthew Wolfenden Suspended from Emmerdale?
The available research does not support a 2025 suspension for Matthew Wolfenden. One source references a 2021 incident involving a “race row” that led to a temporary absence from Emmerdale for both Wolfenden and co-star Isabel Hodgins, with a return permitted in January 2022. No details regarding the exact nature of the alleged incident or official statements from ITV are provided in the current research.
Did Matthew Wolfenden Leave Emmerdale Permanently?
Yes. Wolfenden is no longer a cast member of Emmerdale. His character, David Metcalfe, has left the show. The actor has moved on professionally, joining the cast of Hollyoaks.
Was Matthew Wolfenden on Hollyoaks?
Yes. Wolfenden has joined the cast of Hollyoaks in the role of Jonah Keane. This marks a significant career move after spending over 15 years on Emmerdale. The two soaps are often confused by viewers, but Wolfenden’s name now appears in Hollyoaks credits.
Some fans confuse Matthew Wolfenden’s roles. He is not related to any Hollyoaks character named Matthew. The actor currently plays Jonah Keane on the show. He has never had a brother-related storyline on Emmerdale or Hollyoaks.
Does Matthew Wolfenden Have a Brother?
Who Is Matthew Wolfenden’s Brother?
The current research does not connect Matthew Wolfenden to a brother. No source in the available information mentions a sibling. The actor’s family life, as far as is publicly documented, focuses on his children and former partner.
Timeline of Key Events in Matthew Wolfenden’s Life
- 2006: Joins Emmerdale as David Metcalfe. Source
- 2009: First son, Buster, is born with Charley Webb.
- 2015: Second son, Bowie, is born.
- 2018: Marries Charley Webb.
- 2019: Third son, Ace, is born.
- 2021: Involved in a “race row” on the set of Emmerdale leading to a temporary absence. Source
- 2023: Separates from Charley Webb. Source
- 2025: Leaves Emmerdale and joins Hollyoaks as Jonah Keane. The new relationship with Heather Scott-Martin is reported. Source
What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Rumored
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb are separated. | The exact reason for their split has not been given publicly. |
| He has three sons with Charley Webb. | Whether he will continue Hollyoaks long-term is not confirmed. |
| He left Emmerdale and joined Hollyoaks. | The identity of a new partner is not officially confirmed by Wolfenden. |
| He had a temporary absence from Emmerdale in 2021. | Details of the 2021 incident have not been fully disclosed. |
Analysis and Context: Matthew Wolfenden’s Public Profile
Matthew Wolfenden’s long tenure on Emmerdale made him a familiar face in UK households. His relationship with Charley Webb, a co-star, generated significant media interest, particularly as the couple maintained a public profile while keeping their private life largely out of the spotlight. The separation, when announced, became a major story in tabloid news.
The move to Hollyoaks represents a new chapter for the actor. It also appears to be a source of some confusion among fans, who occasionally conflate the two soaps. The ongoing public interest in his relationship status, especially reports of a new partner, highlights the strong connection viewers feel toward soap stars whose lives have been documented on screen for nearly two decades.
Sources and Quotations
Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb are separated. He has spoken about co-parenting their three sons, describing a week-on, week-off arrangement and living across the road from each other.
— Mirror
Wolfenden is no longer in Emmerdale and is working on Hollyoaks instead.
He described Charley Webb as his best friend.
— Express
What’s Next for Matthew Wolfenden?
As of 2025, Matthew Wolfenden is focused on his new role in Hollyoaks. His personal life, particularly his relationship with Heather Scott-Martin and his co-parenting arrangements with Charley Webb, will likely continue to attract public and media attention. There is no indication that he has any immediate health issues or further controversies on the horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matthew Wolfenden on Hollyoaks?
Yes, he joined the cast as Jonah Keane after leaving Emmerdale.
How old is Matthew Wolfenden?
Born 5 May 1980, he is 44 or 45 as of 2025.
What is Matthew Wolfenden’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but sources suggest around £1–2 million from his soap role and writing work.
Does Matthew Wolfenden have any siblings?
There is no confirmed information about a brother in the available sources.
Is Matthew Wolfenden still on Emmerdale?
No, he left the show and now appears on Hollyoaks.
Is Matthew Wolfenden ill?
No credible source has reported any illness.
Why did Matthew Wolfenden split from Charley Webb?
The couple have not disclosed the specific reasons. They described the split as amicable.
How many children does Matthew Wolfenden have?
He has three sons: Buster, Bowie, and Ace.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.