Charity and Vanessa in Emmerdale: Complete 'Vanity' timeline

From a 2017 shock kiss to 2020 cheating scandal, here’s a complete history of Vanity in Emmerdale. 2017: First kiss At the funeral of Finn Barton, Vanessa...
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

From a 2017 shock kiss to 2020 cheating scandal, here’s a complete history of Vanity in Emmerdale.

2017: First kiss

At the funeral of Finn Barton, Vanessa followed Charity to the Woolpack because she was annoyed at her. But she actually accidentally locked them in with no sign of a way out.

The pair started chatting and it wasn’t long before they shared a kiss. But Vanessa went back the next morning to tell Charity that it was a one off. Until Charity cut her off by kissing her again.

2018: Making things official

For a while, Charity and Vanessa were trying to keep things casual between them. But both were evidently scared to tell the other how they truly felt.

This resulted in numerous arguments between the pair. But then when Vanessa was heading for a night out at a gay bar, Charity followed her there to make sure she didn’t leave with anyone else.

Vanessa was ecstatic to spot her, and the pair confessed their feelings and made a proper go of it.

April 2018: Abuse horror

Charity’s life was thrown into chaos as it was revealed DI Mark Bails has abused her as a teenager. Struggling with his reappearance, Charity confided in Vanessa, who implored her to go to the police. And when she refused, Vanessa called them herself.

Not long later, Charity took her abuse public and Vanessa supported her through the whole ordeal, as well as helping her reconnect with her long-lost son Ryan. The pair eventually moved in together, combining their families.

2019: Engagement

After Vanessa got stabbed, Charity realised she couldn’t live without her and made the decision to propose.

2020: Cancer diagnosis

Vanessa was taken hostage in February 2020 by Rhona’s abusive ex-husband Pierce Harris. And when he went through her bag, he saw a letter from the hospital confirming she had bowel cancer.

The hostage situation came to an end and Vanessa knew she had to tell Charity the truth. Initially when she heard the news, Charity was in shock. But she soon realised she needed to be there for her.

Vanessa then began her journey to recovery, with chemotherapy and many hospital visits. Charity was by her side throughout it all. And even accepted when Vanessa requested she adopt Johnny in case she dies.

In July, Vanessa then left the village to look after her mum who had had a bad fall. This paved the way for actress Michelle Hardwick to go on her maternity leave.

2020: Cheating scandal

Vanessa began acting distant, and Charity panicked that she was going to leave her. This fear led Charity to kiss Mackenzie, who she had literally just met.

But in reality, Vanessa was only acting distant as she wanted to surprise Charity with the happy news she had been given the all clear and was coming home.

However, Tracy had sent Vanessa a picture of Charity kissing Mackenzie, and Vanessa believed she had been having an affair. Despite Charity trying to make things right, Vanessa ended their relationship and stayed at her mum’s.