Emmerdale star John Bowe now – Covid fury, co-star wife and near-death experience

Emmerdale fans were left devastated when soap stalwart Lawrence White was killed off the ITV soap in January 2018, in a car crash that killed both him and his daughter Chrissie.

Orchestrated by Lawrence’s grandson Lachlan, the car crash brought an end to two lives up at Home Farm on that fateful day – after Lawrence had already been shot by Lachlan two years earlier.

Lachlan’s reign of terror was far from over, however, as he sexually assaulted Alicia and went on to hold Belle Dingle hostage as part of his sick fantasies.

Actor John Bowe played Lawrence since the character’s inception in 2014 until his death in 2018.

But what has the star been up to since his soap axe? From quitting acting altogether to his famous family connections, Daily Star takes a look into his life off-screen.

Famous family

John isn’t the only famous one in his family – he also has plenty of star-studded connections in the branches of his family tree.

His son Joseph Kennedy is also an actor, having starred in stage musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar and Sweeney Todd, before going on to have a film and TV career.

Joseph has appeared in everything from Doctor Who to Robin Hood, before going on to appear in the line-up of two bands – Captive State and Solomon Grey.

Solomon Grey created the soundtracks for BBC drama The Last Post and JK Rowling adaptation The Casual Vacancy.

However, Joseph is far from the only family member with famous links.

John’s wife Emma Bowe is the daughter of late British actor Michael N Harbour – star of Midsomer Murders, Casualty and Heartbeat – and sister to TV voice actor Kate Harbour.

Kate has provided a slew of voices for kids’ TV show Bob the Builder, along with lending her voice to characters in Shaun the Sheep, Lavender Castle and Brambly Hedge.

Age gap marriage and co-star wife

John’s wife Emma is herself an actor, and the pair met on the set of soap Families, where they worked together.

They were later reunited on the set of drama Trainer in 1992, and married in 1995.

Emma has even appeared in Emmerdale just after John, playing a prosecution barrister for three episodes of the soap before going on to appear in rival ITV soap Coronation Street as a doctor in 2020.

John has opened up in the past about how, after two marriages that ended in disaster, he fell in love with 19-years-younger Emma – and even had his vasectomy reversed to have more kids with her.

Speaking to The Mirror, John explained: “I had a vasectomy in my first marriage which meant that my second marriage didn’t produce any children. But when I met Emma, we decided to go for it.

“It was quite a long story and not easy, not back then. I had been 12 years vasectomised and the longer you get away from the actual vasectomy the harder it is to put it all back together. But it worked!”

On meeting his third wife, John explained: “Emma was playing one of the stable girls and we met on the first day and we said ‘hi’. It wasn’t until a couple of months later when we had a scene together and I said ‘do you fancy lunch in London tomorrow’.

“We had a very pleasant lunch and were shooting near Birmingham the following week and I said ‘why don’t we have dinner’. The rest is history.”

Rival soap stint

Away from Emmerdale, John also starred in Coronation Street for an incredible three years, appearing in 131 episodes total.

He portrayed Duggie Ferguson in the ITV soap, the owner of The Rovers Return for two years before he died after falling from a two-storey building.

Best known for his dodgy business deals and tense relationship with his son Tom, Duggie had feuds with Richard Hillman and Mike Baldwin during his time on the cobbles.

But those aren’t John’s only soap appearances. He has starred in three episodes of BBC medical soap Casualty, Heartbeat and police soap The Bill.

Near-death experience

John contracted Covid in March 2020, just after the start of the pandemic – and admitted he thought he might die from the illness.

Taking to Twitter, the actor wrote: “#Coronavirus Sunday observations. I have nearly died twice in my life. Once just last week. The gauze between life and death is extremely thin and oh so easy to pass through. Certainly in one direction. Not sure about the other. As yet.”

And, describing his symptoms, John posted: “#Coronavirus #SelfIsolation Most poorly I’ve been today. Will this headache never stop? Intermittent dry cough like clearing some froth. Very sore throat. Shortness of breath. Very tired. Chest feels like there’s smouldering fire.”

Grisly injury

Just months after he “nearly died” from Covid, John succumbed to further injury when he broke his shoulder after falling off a ladder.

The star explained on Twitter: “I’ve had an accident. I’ve broken my shoulder, but more intriguing is the ‘Star of David’ I’ve acquired on my forehead.

“Fear not. I shall survive. 2020. What a year.”

The actor shared a picture of himself with a huge bruise in the centre of his forehead, which did look remarkably like a star – while his nose was also encrusted with blood.

Covid fury and quitting acting

In November 2021, John announced he would quit the acting industry for good to fight against Covid rules.

The 71-year-old actor joined the Reform Party and tweeted a furious statement announcing his determination to “stop this s*** show.”

John wrote on Twitter: “I have left my 50 year career behind. My family is suffering emotionally and financially because of my stand. But I am determined to stop this s***show.

“I have joined @reformparty_uk and I am in constant dialogue with the leadership because I see this as a way out of this hell.”

He previously expressed concerns that the Covid-19 vaccines were not effective, and lashed out at the prospect of vaccine passports.

However, earlier in the pandemic, John urged people to stay at home, writing on social media: “Beware the fickleness, selfishness and stupidity of the masses. Come on UK. We’re better than this.

“Stand firm and strong behind our leaders who, together with us, are trying to find a way through this vicious clinging swamp. #StayHomeSaveLives”.

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk