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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Emmerdale couples five years ago: Steamy vicar fling to Leyla and Pete wedding drama

Emmerdale fans may be used to the current romances on the ITV soap, but the pairings were very different this time five years ago.

There were surprise relationships, steamy flings, a wedding that didn't go to plan and couples who fans no doubt believed would be together forever.

Residents were left stunned and some uncomfortable by some of the romances unfolding at the time, while others were soon torn apart by affairs and secrets.

In 2017 in the Dales, no couple who is together in 2022 were an item back then. Equally, no couple in 2017 stayed together - some due to tragic circumstances.

Here's a look back at who was dating who five years ago in the village, what tore them apart and who they are with now.

Leyla and Pete

Leyla Harding and Pete Barton were all loved up and set to wed in 2017 (Shared Content Unit)

Leyla Harding and Pete Barton were all loved up and set to wed in 2017, but it didn't last forever.

In fact both Leyla and Pete decided they weren't right for each other - except they didn't tell one another, and let the wedding go ahead.

It's only when both of them tried to flee from the venue and do a runner, both trying to exit through windows right next to each other, that they both realised they were feeling the same.

Leyla is married to Liam Cavanagh (ITV)

They had to be rescued by their wedding guests after both getting stuck, and soon they confirmed they were splitting for good - with Pete getting intimate with her pal Priya literally the same day.

Pete has since left the village, while Leyla is married to Liam Cavanagh. Priya was dating Rakesh Kotecha at the time, but he soon went on the run after causing a fire at The Mill.

Cain and Harriet

One romance that sent shockwaves in the village was bad boy Cain Dingle's relationship with vicar Harriet Finch (ITV)

One romance that sent shockwaves in the village was bad boy Cain Dingle's relationship with vicar Harriet Finch.

Harriet couldn't resist his charm, and they soon got steamy in the church of all places.

When the romance came to light, everyone was shocked - but ultimately it didn't work out because Cain was still in love with his ex Moira Barton.

Harriet isn't with anyone at the moment, while she briefly reunited with her ex Will Taylor. Cain is back with Moira, despite another split along the way.

Frank and Megan

Megan and Frank began dating just as she faced a custody battle (Andrew Boyce)

Megan and Frank began dating just as she faced a custody battle with her ex Jai Sharma, over their daughter Eliza.

It was a quick starting romance and he soon moved in with her, but the pair truly loved each other - with Frank preparing to propose.

Sadly, Frank was killed off in a devastating fire at the factory, after he saved his daughter Tracy and went back to get the engagement ring.

Ross and Charity

Another surprise romance was that of Charity Dingle and Ross Barton (Shared Content Unit)

Another surprise romance was that of Charity Dingle and Ross Barton, who has also dated her daughter Debbie Dingle.

The pair welcomed a son named Moses after a fling in 2015, and two years later they were involved yet again.

Their casual romance didn't exactly go down well with villagers, including Debbie, and it's safe to say it didn't last very long.

Kerry and Dan

One couple that could have lasted forever was Kerry Wyatt and Dan Spencer (ITV)

One couple that could have lasted forever was Kerry Wyatt and Dan Spencer, who certainly had their fair share of dramas and splits.

The couple were on and off, but were a strong family unit with Dan's daughter Amelia when they were together.

Sadly two years later, Kerry decided she was no longer in love with her partner and when Dan proposed to her, she soon decided he wasn't the one for her.

There seemed there could be a reunion later down the line, but Kerry is now with Al Chapman and Dan recently slept with Faith Dingle.

Adam and Victoria

Adam Barton and Victoria Sugden (ITV)

Another pair that seemed the real deal was Adam Barton and Victoria Sugden.

But there was heartbreak for the couple when they were planning to start a family together, and doctors diagnosed Adam with fertility issues and told him it was unlikely he would ever have children.

The upsetting news led to Adam calling time on his marriage, telling Victoria: "Go find a man that can give you a kid." They did later reunite though.

Victoria is now dating David Metcalfe (ITV)

Sadly, Adam left the village months later and went on the run, after taking the blame for the death of Emma Barton - who was actually killed by his mum Moira.

Victoria begged him to stay but it wasn't until after he'd left that she found out he was innocent. She also later learned he had found someone else.

Victoria is now dating David Metcalfe, and she recently rejected his wedding proposal.

David and Tracy

Tracy dumped David the following year (ITV)

Speaking of David, in 2017 he was dating someone else and was about to tie the knot with Tracy Metcalfe.

The couple did soon get married, despite his son Jacob Gallagher being convinced it was going to end in tears.

He was right though, and Tracy dumped David the following year after he shamed her about her past work as a sex worker.

She also found out David had cheated on her with Leyla months earlier.

In present day, David is with Victoria, while Tracy is currently away from the village with baby daughter Frankie after splitting with fiancé Nate Robinson, who cheated on her.

Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV, with an hourlong episode on Thursdays.

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