Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose has revealed she’s tied the knot with her new beau, saying she married the “love of her life”, four years after splitting from her ex following 18 years of marriage
07:32, 04 May 2026Updated 07:32, 04 May 2026
Tricia Penrose got married
Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose has said she has married the “love of her life” in a post that comes four years after divorcing her first husband, who she was married to for almost two decades.
Tricia walked down the aisle of Briars Hall Country Club in Lancashire to marry her new husband Chris Hargreaves on Saturday (2 May). The 56-year-old later posted pictures from the gorgeous ceremony to X, with the caption: “Married the love of my life yesterday.”
In the pictures, Tricia, who played Gina Bellamy on Heartbeat from 1993-2010, wore a fitted ballgown, with a lace bodice and a tulle A-line skirt. She held hands with Chris, who wore a light green suit. In the comments of the post, fans shared their support, as one wrote: “Did you say yes in a heartbeat?”
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Tricia Penrose and Chris Hargreaves got married on Saturday
She used to be married to Mark Simpkin(Image: Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)
Another said: “You look amazing, congratulations to both of you.” A third added: “Congratulations to you both! Wisihing you many happy years together.”
Tricia’s new marriage comes four years after her marriage to her first husband, ITV star Mark Simpkin. After 18 years of marriage, Tricia and Mark, who share two sons, Jake, 22, and Freddy, 17, together, split in 2021. At the time, a source told The Sun: “They decided to go their separate ways after realising they had grown apart and it would be better for everyone that they ended the marriage.”
While Tricia was on Heartbeat, Mark presented several TV shows, including ITV’s I Want That House and a property segment on This Morning. He also starred as Craig Brennan on Coronation Street. The pair met in 2001 at the National Television Awards. Two years later, they got married at a ceremony at Adlington Hall in Cheshire. They renewed their vows in 2013, as Tricia said they wanted to “celebrate” a decade of marriage.
Tricia on Heartbeat in 1993(Image: MEN)
The same year they two announced their split, Tricia went Instagram official with new beau Chris. He later proposed while they were on holiday in Tenerife in July 2025.
As well as her starring role on Heartbeat, Tricia was also in Emmerdale in 1991 as Louise and in two episodes of Coronation Street between 1991 and 1992.
She later appeared as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. She made it to the semi final before being evicted in a double eviction alongside Frankie Dettori.
But her biggest role was on Heartbeat, where she played landlady Gina. Tricia played a vital role and was the show’s longest-serving female cast member, appearing in more than 300 episodes.
Gina had an on and off relationship with Phil Bellamy, played by Mark Jordon, who she married in series 16. The character first appeared on the show in series two, turning up in a bright red Isetta Bubble Car, which is now on display at the Beaulieu Motor Museum. The final episode of Heartbeat concluded with the birth of Gina and Phil’s son.
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