EastEnders Perry Fenwick used to be married to Coronation Street soap rival Angela Lonsdale

EASTENDERS star Perry Fenwick used to be married to Coronation Street soap rival Angela Lonsdale. 

The actor, 58, who stars as the bad boy turned good(ish) Billy Mitchell, and Angela were thought to be one of the strongest couples in showbiz before they split after five years of marriage. 

Rex Features

Angela and Perry were married for five years before splitting up

Perry has starred in EastEnders as Billy Mitchell since 1998 with his character going from mean and nasty (remember when he used to bully Jamie?) to a soap favourite with a proper ‘art of gold.

In 2005 the Walford and Weatherfield soap worlds collided when Perry married Corrie actress Angela Lonsdale. 

The 51-year-old previously starred as police officer Emma Taylor on Coronation Street, who had a baby with fan-favourite Curly.

Angela also appeared as Grace Lane in ITV drama Our Girl.

BBC

Perry has starred as Billy in EastEnders since 1998

PA:Press Association

Friends of the former couple were believed to be shocked by their split

Perry and Angela got married in 2005 and announced their separation in 2010.

The divorce was believed to come as a shock to their friends as they were thought to have a strong marriage. 

At the time of the split, a spokesman for the couple said: “Perry Fenwick and Angela Lonsdale have sadly separated after five years of marriage.

“They will not be making any further comment.”

BBC

Billy has had lots of girlfriends in EastEnders but hasn’t been lucky in love

BBC

He shares a baby with ex-wife Honey

BBC

Billy and Little Mo’s relationship made viewers see a new side to him

Perry’s character Billy is a distant relative of Phil Mitchell and recently admitted his true age was 61 – much to the surprise of viewers and fans.

Earlier this month Billy told the bald-headed tough nut he was 61 in a scene that left viewers reeling.

One fan boggled: “Billy really 61? He looks the same as he did 30 years ago!”

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