Emmerdale killer Oliver Farnworth is dating former EastEnders star Samantha Womack. The actor, known for his roles as Will Hackett in Hollyoaks and in Coronation Street as Andy Carver, joined the ITV soap last year as John Sugden. Since then, he’s caused chaos, going on a killing spree and recently keeping Mackenzie Boyd hostage.
Spoilers for next week have revealed that he pulls husband Aaron Dingle off a cliff, with Robert Sugden star Ryan Hawley teasing the prospect of “two lifeless bodies”.
While Oliver brings his own soap opera experience to the table, he also has the benefit of advice from girlfriend Samantha. The 52-year-old actress portrayed Ronnie Mitchell from 2007 to 2017, and the pair have been an item since 2019.
Fans were intrigued to learn that Oliver maintains a close friendship with Samantha’s ex-husband Mark Womack, 64, even seeking career guidance from him.
Oliver, 43, resides in Spain with Samantha, and enjoys a good relationship with her children with Mark, Lily and Benjamin. In fact, upon being offered the role on Emmerdale, Oliver consulted Samantha’s ex-husband, reports the Mirror.
“Mark is a good friend. I actually just spoke to him yesterday. And when I got offered [the part in Emmerdale], Mark told me it was a great job. He was full of praise for the place,” he revealed.
Oliver and Samantha first crossed paths in 2019 whilst performing together in the stage production The Girl on the Train, with their bond deepening when Samantha received a breast cancer diagnosis in August 2022. “It sort of changes your outlook and makes you possibly appreciate what you’ve got a bit more and maybe live your life a bit more as well,” Oliver revealed, noting that the cancer was only discovered during a routine screening.
“That really saved us,” he confessed.
Oliver remains utterly amazed by his partner’s strength and determination throughout her cancer journey, describing her as “gracious” whilst facing such a frightening ordeal. “She wanted to get through everything and get back on stage as quickly as possible. She’s a real fighter, and she won’t let things get in her way. But, she was just so brave and eloquent speaking about what’s she’s been through and gracious,” he praised.
Speaking to Woman’s Own about their harmonious blended family, Samantha credited their achievements to putting in serious effort with their relationship. “We’ve worked hard at remaining friends and I’m proud of it. I Know for some people that’s not possible when the breakup is just too painful, but we were able to do it and I’m really grateful,” she revealed.
Meanwhile, she also confessed this year that fans have been warning her about her romance with Oliver due to his character’s killing spree.
She told The Sun: “I do get warned about him. But Oli is actually so strict about confidentiality. So he comes back every few days and he won’t tell me what’s happening with anything.”
Sam continued: “I really think this is one of his favourite jobs to date.”