ITV Share By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025 Charity and Vanessa in Emmerdale: 'Vanity' timeline - cheating drama, cancer diagnosis, abuse horror Vanity are still an adored couple Charity Dingle News Vanessa Woodfield Share By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025 Charity and Vanessa – Vanity – are still a huge fan-favourite couple despite not being together in Emmerdale for years. The ITV soap broke fans’ hearts when the couple split for good and Vanessa temporarily left the village. But she returned in 2021 and the pair stayed friends. Charity is married to Mackenzie Boyd and Vanessa was with Suzy Merton before her death earlier this year. But it seems no matter what happens in the show, viewers are holding on to hope that Vanity will reunite eventually. Every time they are in a scene together fans go wild. But what was their relationship actually like? Well lets have a look back at the iconic love story of Emmerdale’s Charity and Vanessa – and what has been said about a reunion between the two. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers The beginning of Vanity (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) 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. However at the time Vanessa was determined to prove that she wasn’t gay and went on a date with Daz Spencer. But it didn’t take long before Charity outed her in front of the whole pub. And after a lot of back and forth for a while, Vanessa came to realise she did enjoy being around Charity. 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 the 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. Vanessa was there for Charity (Credit: ITV / Shuttershock) April 2018: Abuse horror Charity’s life was thrown into chaos as it was revealed DI Marl 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. Charity was extremely angry at Vanessa and even broke up with her over it. After Charity then went on nights out and lied about sleeping with a man, Vanessa was determined to get her back. She again apologised and told Charity how amazing she is – and the pair reconciled. 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. Vanessa and Charity declare their love for each other (Credit: ITV / Shuttershock) 2019: Engagement After Vanessa got stabbed, Charity realised she couldn’t live without her and made the decision to propose. But instead of doing it her own way, she hijacked a proposal that was happening for a client at Home Farm. And when Vanessa realised it wasn’t really for her – she turned Charity down. But after some motivation from Tracy, Charity went back to Vanessa and proposed again when they were alone. And this time she said yes! Vanessa and Charity’s relationship had a lot of ups and downs (Credit: ITV / Shuttershock) 2020: Cancer diagnosis Vanessa was taken hostage in February 2020 by Rhona’s abusive ex-husband Piers 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. Vanessa broke up with Charity and left the village (Credit: ITV) 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. 2021: Vanessa returns and they become friends Vanity have not been in a romantic relationship at all since Vanessa returned. By the time she came back to the village, Charity was in a serious relationship with Mackenzie – the guy she cheated on Vanessa with. Over the years, they have shared some scenes together, and remain friendly. Most recently Vanessa has been a huge support to Sarah Sugden, Charity’s granddaughter, as she embarked on her dream to become a mum. Vanessa supported her at appointments and was her confidanté before Charity found out. It all seemed to suggest Vanessa was going to be propelled back into Charity’s life. Charity is opening up to Vanessa – but are they growing closer again? (Credit: ITV) 2025: Reunion for Charity and Vanessa in Emmerdale? It seems lately we’re getting A LOT of hints Vanity will reunite. Or is that just wishful thinking on our part?! On Thursday July 24, Vanessa was once again in Charity’s orbit when she went over to see her ex. She found out about the surrogacy and Mack’s stance against it from Sarah and went to visit Charity. Vanessa could see why Mack was upset and tried talking sense into Charity. “Vanessa, I love him,” Charity declared, before lamenting that she didn’t want to lose him, but that she would be going through with the surrogacy either way. But was that declaration of love real? And why is Vanessa getting involved in Charity’s marriage? Is this Emmerdale drip feeding us hints of a reunion? Vanessa is back in Charity’s orbit – but why? (Credit: ITV) Fans think it could happen “Vanessa ensconced in the heart of Charity’s family again, as Sarah and Charity’s trusted confidante. It’s just a case of when, not if, for Vanity’s reunion,” shared one on social media. Another added: “The Vanity reunion can’t come soon enough.” “Is the Sarah and Charity idea mental – YES! Will I go along with it if it gets rid of McRat once and for all and give us that Vanity reunion… [Hell yes],” agreed a third. Others think their closeness signals Vanessa will be Sarah’s surrogate instead of Charity. But they still think it will lead to the same outcome! “Why do I get the feeling but will actually be Vanessa who ends up as the surrogate. I’ll only accept it if it means Charity and Vanessa getting close again,” shared one. Another said: “I knew Vanessa would be the surrogate! It was way to obvious with how Sarah was the first to talk to Vanessa about her problems.” Vanessa has really been there for Sarah (Credit: ITV) Emma Atkins ‘can definitely see an opening’ for Charity and Vanessa to get back together in Emmerdale Emma Aktins, who plays Charity, recently spoke about the possibility of a reunion: “I think when they do have scenes together, there’s always that potential for an opening again, a reconnection, because they get on so well as friends. “There’s always that spark and you never know… It’s a joy to work with Michelle (Hardwick). So either way it’s a win win.” She added: “I just don’t know at the moment in time what they’ll do with the pair, but I can definitely see an opening happening already because there’s been dialogue between them.” Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Jul 24 2025
