Emmerdale rocked by ‘very heated’ on-set clash between Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins during soap’s biggest stunt
EMMERDALE has been rocked by an on-set clash between stars.
Matthew Wolfenden, 41 and Isabel Hodgins, 27, were caught up in the row while filming with Aaron Anthony.
A source said: “It was very heated.” Matthew and Isabel were off screen while a probe was launched.
The explosive row broke out as Emmerdale stars filmed dramatic waterfall scenes for a blockbuster episode.
Matthew Wolfenden, Isabel Hodgins and Aaron Anthony travelled to the site for what was billed as one of the show’s biggest stunts.
Matthew and Isabel — who play couple David Metcalfe and Victoria Sugden — were caught up in the row as they were filming with Aaron, who plays personal trainer Ellis Chapman.
Tempers flared off camera and a source said: “It left a lot of those present at the filming feeling uncomfortable. It was a very heated situation. Tempers were running very high. It was tense and bosses got to hear about what had gone on very quickly.”
Matthew and Isabel took a break from filming at Tees Barrage water park in Stockton-on-Tees while bosses made inquiries. The stunt was to help mark ITV’s Super Soap Week last month.
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'No further action is necessary'
One insider said: “The cast had travelled to film what they were calling the ‘Summer Stunt’ — dramatic waterfall scenes that aired on October 19.
“While they were on set a comment was made which unintentionally caused offence, and an argument broke out among some of the cast members. This was a massive deal for all of them and obviously everyone was under pressure to make scenes work.
“Emmerdale take these kind of allegations very seriously, and Matthew and Isabel did not film scenes while inquiries were made. It was not a decision they took lightly, as it had huge consequences for the team as they are massive characters. But the bosses felt it was a necessary step to take.
“They investigated the matter fully and are now satisfied that no further action is necessary. The actors are really professional.”
Viewers’ favourites Matthew and Isabel were back on set last week. They were not suspended and have not been disciplined. News of the rift came after Emmerdale fans raised questions about the pair’s absence from episodes. Neither star has appeared in the soap since October 28 — despite their key roles in current storylines.
In scenes to be shown on November 18, it will be announced that David and Victoria have gone to Portugal to visit Diane Sugden in her new home. The explanation will leave viewers bemused, as the pair’s absence dates from before Diane (played by retiring actress Elizabeth Estensen) left the Yorkshire Dales.
While they were on set a comment was made which unintentionally caused offence, and an argument broke out among some of the cast members.
An insider
Emmerdale fan Sarah Wright said: “It was really odd. There was the aftermath of the stunt, and then the pair of them just vanished. And it was very abrupt, almost like the bosses wanted to get rid of them or something.”
Matthew — who is married to fellow Emmerdale star Charley Webb — joined the soap in 2006 as hunk David. Isabel also joined that year, when aged just 12. Matthew, who won Dancing On Ice in 2012, has become one of the programme’s best-loved characters. This year has seen him take on one of his biggest storylines to date.
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His character was caught in a love triangle between Victoria and Meena Jutla, played by Paige Sandhu. A recent plot saw serial killer Meena attempt to murder Victoria.
Eight years ago, Matthew was at the centre of a drama that rocked the Emmerdale cast when he was accused of cheating on Charley when they were engaged. Klaire Holloway told The Sun on Sunday she’d had a one night stand with the actor.
Following the revelations, Matthew and Charley, parents to son Buster, announced they had split up. But the pair later rekindled their relationship and went on to have their two younger sons Bowie and Ace. They got married in 2018.
Meanwhile, Isabel has also been at the heart of an off-camera drama — when we revealed in 2016 she had enjoyed a fling with Emmerdale star Danny Miller. The hunk was in an on-off relationship with Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter at the time, while Isabel was dating fellow Dales cast member Mike Parr.
Neither actor has been suspended from Emmerdale.
An Emmerdale spokeswoman
The revelation was said to have divided the soap’s cast into two camps.
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An Emmerdale spokeswoman said last night: “While we would never comment on individual cases, Emmerdale has robust policies in place to deal with any allegations brought to our attention and take the appropriate steps. Neither actor has been suspended from Emmerdale.”
A spokesman for 30-year-old Aaron declined to comment.
STARS’ BUST-UPS
Ben Leo
THIS is far from first time soap stars have squared up.
After leaving EastEnders in 2010, Barbara Windsor told Piers Morgan’s Life Stories that she had blasted co-star Jessie Wallace, who played Kat Slater, for repeatedly being late on set in her early days. Dame Barbara admitted: “I lost my temper.”
Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas clashed in the 2018 series of Celebrity Big Brother. Emmerdale’s Roxanne accused Corrie’s Ryan of punching her during a play fight but later apologised for a “horrible mistake”. J
Jamie Lomas, from Hollyoaks, and Asan N'Jie, from Emmerdale, came to blows at the 2019 TV Choice Awards. N’Jie was later sacked.
When Anthony Cotton was on I’m A Celebrity in 2011, Corrie co-star John Thomson tweeted that he was a “nasty piece of work”. It was never revealed why.
Leslie Grantham, EastEnders’ Den Watts, left in 2005 after insulting a whole host of co-stars.