Emmerdale Ruby Miligan star has a famous dad and fans are 'floored'
Actress Beth Cordingly, who plays Ruby Miligan, is in a long-term relationship with a former soap star and also has a famous father.
Emmerdale: Cain meets Ruby
Emmerdale diva Ruby Miligan is renowned for her stormy but loving marriage to Caleb, but away from the show, actress Beth Cordingly isn't the only famous person in her family.
Beth became part of the ITV soap in 2024, arriving in the Dales as Caleb Miligan's (played by William Ash) estranged wife, and she quickly made her mark.
Later that year, Ruby found herself at the heart of a distressing historic child abuse storyline involving her father, Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day).
She subsequently learned that her daughter, Steph (Georgia Jay), was Anthony's biological child, though Caleb pledged to support his family.
Ruby also had a brief affair with her brother-in-law, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), but strained family relationships have since been mended, and she is now a thriving businesswoman who has found happiness once more.
Beyond all the drama of the Dales, much-loved Ruby actress Beth Cordingly enjoys a far more peaceful life with her long-term partner Ian Kelsey, who also previously appeared in Emmerdale, and she also has a famous father.
Before joining Emmerdale, Beth, 49, had already established herself on screen, featuring in popular shows such as Doctors, EastEnders, New Tricks, Heartbeat, and Casualty. She is also famed for playing PC Kerry Young in The Bill between 2002 and 2004.
Off-screen, Beth is the daughter of renowned historian and writer David Cordingly. David has authored numerous books on pirates and even appeared in the home release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. He featured in the DVD bonus section titled Below Deck, which offers a virtual tour of a pirate ship.
Beth has previously spoken warmly about her parents, telling Official London Theatre how they inspire her. She said: "My mum worked extensively in Child Protection in the 80s and 90s fighting for more recognition of it, helping to make people more aware of the signs to look for."
Speaking about her renowned father, she added: "My dad is a writer with an incredibly strong work ethic. They're my favourite people."
On the topic of Beth and her notable family, a fan shared on an Emmerdale Facebook group: "Fun fact, Beth's dad is the writer David Cordingly."
To which another responded: "Oh really." A third contributed: "A lovely family!" while yet another added: "He was in the extras of Pirates of the Caribbean as well I believe."
Who is Beth's famous soap star partner?
Soap enthusiasts will remember Ian as Dave Glover on Emmerdale from 1994 until his character's death in 1997. He also featured in Coronation Street as Vinny Ashford from 2016 to 2017.
Ian has also appeared in numerous other shows, including Wuthering Heights (2020), Innocent, The Suspect, Moving On, and Where the Heart Is.
Beth and Ian, 59, have reportedly been acquainted for more than two decades and started dating in 2021.
Discussing her relationship, Beth previously told The Mirror: "I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic.
"There is that thing as an actor where you are always taken away from home. But he totally gets it. He knows a lot of the crew and cast, and so it's lovely to be able to share what I've been up to, knowing he understands."
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
