Thanks to the successful eighteen series, Heartbeat became a classic TV show. Viewers are often treated to a trip down memory lane with old episodes shown on television channels such as ITV.
One of the show’s stars, Tricia Penrose, became a household name when she played Gina Ward in the police drama – but where is the actress now? Here’s what we know…
© Shirlaine ForrestTricia Penrose at the premiere of “Strangeways Here We Come” at Vue Printworks on October 4, 2018.
Who did Tricia Penrose play in Heartbeat?
Tricia Penrose played Gina Ward heartbeat, who was landlady at the Aidensfield Arms. Gina became a beloved character during her run on the show, which began in series two, and has remained a fixture Heartbeat furniture to the end. Her character Gina has had some pretty complicated love affairs throughout the show, and her life certainly hasn’t been without drama.
© ITV/Shutterstock Tricia Penrose as Gina in Heartbeat
PC Phil Bellamy was the biggest love to whom she was engaged, but she also had affairs with other officers, and had an affair with Andy Ryan in the series. Gina was then widowed after PC Bellamy’s death and later gave birth to their son towards the end of series 17.
© ITV/Shutterstock Tricia Penrose with Mark Jordon and Jonathan Kerrigan.
What else was Tricia Penrose in?
Tricia first appeared on TV as police officer Emma Reid Brookside. She then went on to appear in other popular soap operas of the early nineties such as Emmerdale (then known as Emmerdale Farm), Coronation Street and TV drama series Boon.
During her tenure as Gina, Tricia reprized her role in two appearances in the Heartbeat spin-off drama Royal2003. Tricia’s most recent acting role was in 2011 in the series Justicein which Hayley Gosling starred alongside her Game of Thrones actor Robert Pugh.
© Ian West – PA Images Tricia Penrose arriving at the launch of Celebrity Big Brother 2013.
Who is Tricia Penrose’s family?
Tricia was previously married to husband Mark Simpkin, who was a television host and businessman. Mark also dabbled in acting and appeared as Craig Brennan in Coronation Streetbut he mostly stuck with presenting and appeared on popular shows like This morning, GMTV and travel shows. Mark and Tricia married in 2003 and have two sons together. At the time, the couple shared their special day exclusively with HELLO! magazine.
However, in 2021 it was reported in The Sun on Sunday that Tricia and Mark had decided to end their marriage after 18 years. According to the publication, the couple decided to part ways after they separated.
© Shirlaine Forrest Tricia Penrose and her husband Mark Simpkin separated in 2021.
Where is Tricia Penrose now?
In recent years, Tricia has appeared in a number of TV shows. In 2013, she appears as a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother (along with Rylan Clark and Heidi and Spencer Montag). She has also appeared as herself in shows like A small star of a big star and Celebrity Pointless. Today, the former actress lives in Cheshire with her family and hosts her own radio show on Radio Wirral.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education