Charlotte Bellamy has been with her long-term partner Mungo Denison since she was a teenager, but the actress has only just confirmed that she and Mungo tied the knot three years ago. The couple married in secret in May 2012, deciding that it felt like "the right thing to do".
Charlotte, 42, made the revelation and opened up on details about the special day, including the £60 cocktail dress she wore for the civil ceremony.
The only guests in attendance were the couple's mums, and Charlotte and Mungo's three children, who range in age from five to ten.
Charlotte Bellamy has been with her partner Mungo Denison since she was 18
"We didn't invite anyone or tell anyone, we just did it and it was perfect," Charlotte told The Mirror. "We sat there at breakfast and said to the kids, 'We're getting married today' and they were like, 'What?' It was hilarious."
The Emmerdale star, who plays Laurel Dingle on the ITV soap, added: "We did it on a random Thursday in May 2012. It was a beautiful sunny day. There was no fuss and no stress, it was great."
Charlotte enlisted the help of her two older children to act as ring bearers. "I designed my engagement ring and my wedding band has the children's names engraved inside because we wanted them to be included," she said.
Charlotte Bellamy borrowed shoes from her character Laurel Dingle for her wedding
Not much planning was needed for the low-key day, with Charlotte even borrowing some shoes from the ITV soap wardrobe to complete her bridal outfit.
"I got a £60 dress from a shop in Notting Hill. It's a striped cocktail dress with a big bow on the front," she said. "I didn't have any navy shoes to go with it so I borrowed a pair of Laurel's from work. I've never told anyone that so I hope I don't get in to trouble!"
"I got a £60 dress from a shop in Notting Hill," said Charlotte Bellamy of her bridal gown
Charlotte and Mungo, who have been together since they were 18, had previously thought about tying the knot but had just never got round to wedding planning and following it through. The couple "stunned" their friends with a text after the ceremony, followed by a few days spent away for their honeymoon and then "back to real life".
Meanwhile, fans of Charlotte's Emmerdale character are watching as Laurel battles with her alcohol problems. "I think people will be shocked by what's coming because it is very dark and it will get worse," warned the actress.