Emmerdale’s Rodney Blackstock’s life away from the soap with wife of almost 30 years

**The longest-serving cast member of Emmerdale is Patrick Mower, also known as Rodney Blackstock (Image: WireImage).**

Since 2000, Rodney Blackstock has been a recurring character in Emmerdale, appearing on the soap opera on a regular basis.

Even if the route to true love wasn’t always easy, he has become involved this year alone in supporting fellow Emmerdale legend Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson) in her hunt for Mrs. Right by assisting her with a dating app she has joined.

Additionally, he has been the focus of many tragic plots during his career. One such plot was Rodney’s stroke in 2018, which left fans wondering whether this would be the last time they saw Rodney.

Actor Patrick Mower, who portrays Rodney in the soap opera, however, keeps his personal love life out of the limelight.

How long has the seasoned actor been dating this person, who is she married to, and do they have kids?

Who is the spouse of Patrick Mower, also known as Rodney Blackstock?

Even though Patrick Mower is something of a ladies man, he has been married to Anya Pope since 1996 while he is not in the Dales.

Even though the pair prefers to keep their personal lives private, it has been revealed that Anya is a children’s author and thirty years Patrick’s junior.

They supposedly reside 44 miles from the Leeds location where Emmerdale is shot, in Louth, Lincolnshire.

**Since 1996, Patrick and Anya Pope have been wed. (Image credit: Getty Images)**

“If I could choose a girlfriend for Rodney in Emmerdale, she would be just like Anya—she is fantastic and my ideal woman,” Patrick has previously said of his wife.

After Patrick’s marriage to Audrey Giles, his first wife, he married Anya. In between marriages, he also dated the actress Suzanne Danielle for seven years.

Does Patrick Mower have children?

Maxim, a 25-year-old son, is the child of Patrick and Anya.

Prior to Maxim’s birth, the actor spoke about being an older father, telling the Bucks Free Press in 1998 that he was “enjoying the whole thing.”

“It is truly amazing, particularly for older fathers who recognise the true magic of a newborn,” he said.

His little fingernails and toenails, as well as how his development varies almost every day. It’s a happy thing.

“I would advise anyone to become an older parent.”

Son Simon and daughter Claudia are Patrick’s other two children from his previous marriage.

How old is Patrick Mower?

The actor, who turned 85 years old in September, is the longest-serving cast member of Emmerdale.

But for many years he had considered himself to be younger, having been born in 1940.

**Since 2000, Rodney has played a crucial role in Emmerdale. (Image: ITV)**

It was eventually revealed to him that he had been born on September 12, 1938, even though his birth had not been officially recorded.

Having made his on-screen debut in the comedy-drama Swizzlewick in 1964, Patrick has been a recognisable face on television since the 1960s. Some of his other early TV performances include Haunted, UFO, and The Avengers.

His career began when he costarred with Edward Woodward as a government assassin in the 1970–1972 television series Callan. He then starred in Target, Special Branch, and Whodunnit as a panellist from 1973–1978.

Emmerdale airs at 7.30 p.m. on ITV Monday through Friday.