Heartbeat Star Tricia Penrose Marries the “Love of Her Life” in Stunning Lancashire Ceremony
Tricia Penrose, best known for her role as Gina Bellamy on Heartbeat, has revealed that she married the “love of her life” Chris Hargreaves on May 2nd, four years after her divorce from her first husband, Mark Simpkin.
The 56-year-old actress tied the knot at the picturesque Briars Hall Country Club in Lancashire, stunning guests in a fitted ballgown with a lace bodice and a tulle A-line skirt. In a heartfelt post on social media, Tricia shared her joy, writing, “Married the love of my life yesterday.”
Fans flooded the comments with well-wishes, with one fan playfully asking, “Did you say yes in a heartbeat?” while others shared their excitement, praising the couple and wishing them many happy years ahead.
Tricia’s new marriage follows her 18-year marriage to ITV star Mark Simpkin, with whom she shares two sons, Jake, 22, and Freddy, 17. The couple parted ways in 2021, citing that they had grown apart after nearly two decades together.
In a sweet twist, Tricia and Chris’s love story began shortly after her split from Mark. The pair went public with their relationship in 2021, and Chris proposed during a romantic holiday in Tenerife in July 2025.
Known for her iconic role on Heartbeat, Tricia has also appeared in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, and made a splash on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. However, it’s her role as landlady Gina Bellamy in Heartbeat that made her a household name, as she became the show’s longest-serving female cast member, appearing in over 300 episodes.
As Tricia embarks on this new chapter with Chris, it’s clear that love and happiness are shining bright for the beloved actress
