Soap Weddings: The ‘Coronation Street', ‘EastEnders' And ‘Emmerdale' Characters Who Love Getting Hitched (PICS)

Soapland's Serial Spouses
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We love a good wedding here at HuffPost Entertainment, but let’s be honest - watching Soapland’s couples unite in front of their friends, family, lovers and enemies is often way more entertaining than attending actual ceremonies.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s fab seeing that second cousin you’ve met three times in the last decade saying ‘I do’ - but what could possibly beat a soap wedding, where fights, tears and all-out brawls are virtually guaranteed?

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Who's got hitched the most times?

Thankfully, the writers of ‘EastEnders’, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Emmerdale’, ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ all seem to agree, and over the years we’ve seen more TV weddings than you can shake a bouquet at.

Even better, some of our favourite characters have walked up the aisle on more than one occasion - Gail Rodwell (née Potter; previously Tilsley, Platt, Hillman and McIntyre) we’re looking at you.

But who holds the record for the most marriages in Soapland? And which characters have racked up more than a handful of lovers in between?

Check out soapland’s serial spouses below…

Serial Soap Spouses
Ian Beale (EastEnders)(01 of12)
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Ian tied the knot for the fifth time earlier this year, when he got hitched to Jame (for the second time). Despite their wedding day drama - the unforgettable 'Who Killed Lucy Beale?' storyline climax - the couple are still happily married. Well, for now anyway. Wives: Cindy Williams (1989–97), Melanie Healy (1999–2000) and Laura Dunn (2001–04).
Gail Rodwell (née Potter; previously Tilsley, Platt, Hillman and McIntyre) (Coronation Street)(02 of12)
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Gail's not exactly been lucky in love, has she? Getting hitched to this Weatherfield resident does nothing for your life expectancy, as three of her Gail's four previous husbands are all now dead. Watch out, Michael... Husbands: Brian Tilsley (1979–87, 1988–89), Martin Platt (1991–2001), Richard Hillman (2002–03), Joe McIntyre (2010) and Michael Rodwell (2015–).
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)(03 of12)
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Serial offender Paul has married to five different women - a record in soapland - so... um, congrats, Paul?Wives: Terry Inglis (1985–86), Gail Lewis (1987–89), Christina Alessi (1991–2005), Lyn Scully (2006–09) and Rebecca Napier (2009–2014).
Steve McDonald (Coronation Street)(04 of12)
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Steve's about to tie the knot with his fifth wife Michelle... As long as the meddling Tracy Barlow doesn't cause any problems. Wives: Vicky Arden (1995–97), Karen Phillips (2001–03, 2004–06), Becky Granger (2009–11) and Tracy Barlow (2012–13).
Phil Mitchell (EastEnders)(05 of12)
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Phil and Sharon tied the knot last year, but with Kathy back on the scene - and his one true love Shirl still in the Square - is this really happily ever after? Wives: Nadia Borovac (1993–94), Kathy Beale (1995–99), Kate Morton (2003–05) and Sharon Rickman (2014–).
Eric Pollard (Emmerdale)(06 of12)
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Eric arrived in the Dales in 1986, and while he's now (sort of) happily married to Val, he's certainly had a varied romantic past. Wives: Eileen Pollock (1964–94), Elizabeth Feldmann (1992–93), Dee De La Cruz (1997–2001), Gloria Weaver (2002–03) and Val Lambert (2008–).
Rita Sullivan (Coronation Street)(07 of12)
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After spending over five years with her first two husbands, Rita's struggled to find love again. Husbands: Harry Bates (1967–1972), Len Fairclough (1977–83), Ted Sullivan (1992) and Dennis Tanner (2012–14).
Bob Hope (Emmerdale)(08 of12)
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Kind-hearted Bob has had four weddings and a hand-fasting. Huh? You don't know what a hand-fasting is? One of the Wiccan betrothals that serves a temporary marriage for those who subscribe to neopaganist views? Amateurs. Wives: Jean Hope (1982–84, 1986–88), Barbara Hope (1988–91), Vonda Lockhart (1994), Viv Windsor (2001–05, 2006–11) and a handfast to Brenda Walker.
Elsie Tanner (Coronation Street)(09 of12)
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Elsie was the original serial spouse, and 'Corrie' viewers saw her shacked up with four different husbands during her time on't cobbles. Husbands: Arnold Tanner (1939–62), Steve Tanner (1967–68), Alan Howard (1970–78) and Bill Gregory (1984–2004).
Pat Butcher (EastEnders)(10 of12)
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Oh, Pat... we miss you. Pam St Clement's iconic character signed the wedding registry an impressive four times. Can she *definitely* not come back to the soap? Has anybody checked? Double-checked? Oh.Husbands: Pete Beale (1961–66), Brian Wicks (1966–89), Frank Butcher (1989–96) and Roy Evans (1996–2003).
Peter Barlow (Coronation Street) (11 of12)
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Peter loves getting married so married so much that he was once married to two women at the same time. Whoopsie... Wives: Jessica Midgeley (1990–2000), Lucy Richards (2003), Shelley Unwin (2003), Leanne Battersby (2010–12) and Carla Connor (2013–).
Mercedes McQueen (Hollyoaks)(12 of12)
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Man-eater Mercedes has had three husbands - and plenty of lovers in between. She almost made an honest man out of Riley too, however he wisely decided to call off their big day after discovering her affair with his dad.Husbands: Russ Owen (2006–08), Malachy Fisher (2008–10) and Paul Browning (2013).