Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has played Bear Wolf on the ITV soap for more than eight years
Joshua Richards has become a beloved figure on Emmerdale as Bear Wolf – but what do we know about the accomplished actor’s life alongside his celebrated wife?
The television star joined the enduring ITV soap in 2019 as the father of Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt). It wasn’t long before former wrestler Bear established himself as a fan favourite.
He’s also featured in numerous major plotlines. Particularly at present, as viewers will remember he’s currently languishing behind bars after admitting to the killing of Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) this year.
Bear wound up slaying villainous Ray to prevent him from murdering son Paddy and Dylan (Fred Kettle), with Paddy and Dylan subsequently assisting Bear in concealing the crime. Nevertheless, Paddy eventually confessed to his role in the affair, leading to both him and Dylan facing charges for perverting the course of justice.
Beyond the soap however, Bear actor Joshua enjoys a considerably less turbulent existence with his spouse of over three decades and fellow thespian Sarah Parks – who is well-acquainted with gracing television screens, reports the Mirror.
Sarah has even featured in Emmerdale portraying barrister and later judge Hilary Browning intermittently from 2001 to 2005. Alongside Emmerdale, Sarah made appearances on Coronation Street across 11 episodes in various roles.
In 1998 she portrayed a midwife and between July and August 2021 Sarah depicted DS Pullen, who was investigating the false imprisonment of Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien). Sarah returned to the soap once more in January 2004 portraying Council planning officer, Andrea Chaplin. Her final stint was in 2007 as Linda, whose spouse had a fling with Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard).
Her additional work includes appearances in The Bill, Shameless, Meet the Richardsons, Fat Friends, My Parents Are Aliens and Scott and Bailey.
Joshua and Sarah – who reside together in Halifax in West Yorkshire – maintain their romance away from public scrutiny and the limelight, though Joshua has previously opened up about Sarah.
In 2025, he praised her for backing his health overhaul after he shed weight from 17 and a half stone down to 13 and a half stone. Joshua revealed: “My health wasn’t too good. And I was tucking into all the wrong meals from Emmerdale catering like lasagne and chips.
“We read a book by Dr Meghan Rossi called Eat More Live Well – and that really helped me lose the weight. I did what it told me – ate more vegetables, more fibre and looked after my gut health.”
Joshua also recently discussed Sarah during a chat with The Mirror. He revealed: “She has played a judge in Emmerdale before,” before confessing he thought it would have been Sarah who would land a permanent role on a soap, not him.
He continued: “In the end, I ended up being on Emmerdale and she is the one who supports me. I was only supposed to be in the soap for six months, but I’m now in my eighth year and it’s flown by. I love being in Emmerdale. It’s the best job in the world.”
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX
