Jump directly to the content

EMMERDALE'S Jonny McPherson is a firm favourite in the soap as debonair doc Liam Cavanagh,  Leyla Harding's new fiance.

But when cameras aren't rolling the 39-year-old star leads a very different life on the water on a 60ft narrowboat he shares with his dog Molly - and a heron called Keith.

There is no end of drama in Dr Liam Cavanagh's life on Emmerdale
9
There is no end of drama in Dr Liam Cavanagh's life on EmmerdaleCredit: ITV

The actor, who has been in a relationship with Moira Barton actress Natalie J Robb since last year, has given fans a glimpse into his life on social media.

He has shared pictures of his wonderful boat, Benedict, which he moors near the Emmerdale studios in Leeds.

It has a cosy kitchen with pots and pans hanging from the wall, an ornate lamp and a partially-stocked wine rack.

One shot shows his collie lurcher Mollie snuggled up on a blanket in the seating area, which is beside a wood-burning stove.

In reality, actor Jonny McPherson has a peaceful home out on the water
9
In reality, actor Jonny McPherson has a peaceful home out on the waterCredit: Twitter
He has given fans a look inside his lovely narrowboat on his Twitter feed
9
He has given fans a look inside his lovely narrowboat on his Twitter feedCredit: Twitter
Has even given Emmerdale viewers a look at his bed - and lovely rescue dog
9
Has even given Emmerdale viewers a look at his bed - and lovely rescue dogCredit: Twitter

Another picture of her sees the adopted pet snuggled up on his duvet, with the caption: "Found this in my bed this morning. Any takers?"

Speaking about it on This Morning this week, Jonny explained: "Three-and-a-half years now I've lived on Benedict, which is a 60ft narrowboat."

Asked about the local wildlife by host Holly Willoughby, he said: "Keith is a resident heron at the dock where I've got the boat permanently moored now.

"He struts by the window most mornings, peering in at me as if I'm the weird one. He's a lovely fellow."

The actor spoke about his life on the waterways during an interview on This Morning
9
The actor spoke about his life on the waterways during an interview on This MorningCredit: Rex
The boat is fully equipped with cosy seating and a nice warm fire
9
The boat is fully equipped with cosy seating and a nice warm fireCredit: Twitter
Jonny, seen here on Zoom, is in a relationship with Emmerdale co-star Natalie J Robb
9
Jonny, seen here on Zoom, is in a relationship with Emmerdale co-star Natalie J Robb

Jonny and Natalie were revealed to be dating in June last year when they logged in to a Zoom call to celebrate co-star Liam Fox's 50th birthday - meaning they must have been isolating together.

Speaking about the romance on Loose Women she explained: "Our first date was in mid-January, and then we were just having a couple of dates in February and then obviously March lockdown happened.

"And we were together at the time that Boris Johnson announced it.

"So we're like: oh. So he's been kind of staying with me, and then they were saying, yes, it could be three weeks. Yes, it might be six weeks. I was like, 'Oh, OK!'"

Natalie, who plays Moira Dingle, explained they started dating in January last year
9
Natalie, who plays Moira Dingle, explained they started dating in January last yearCredit: ITV
Jonny piloting his boat through the 5km Standedge Tunnel through the Pennines
9
Jonny piloting his boat through the 5km Standedge Tunnel through the PenninesCredit: Twitter

He said of the 46-year-old: "We are just shy of a year and it's still early days but we are having a lovely time.

"I have learnt so much from Natalie. She has been working on TV since she was knee high. We both love the work so much, we spend whole evenings discussing scripts and learning lines."

Jonny, who was born in London, has popped up in Emmerdale as Dr Liam from 2014 but became a recurring character in July 2018.

He is now set for a huge storyline as it appears there are some obstacles standing in the path of his marriage to Leyla - not least David Metcalfe and the return of his ex Bernice Blackstock.

Samantha Giles' character, one of the soap’s most popular characters when she was last in the Dales two years ago, is set to return this summer.

Emmerdale's Natalie J Robb jokes about steamy sex life with co-star Jonny McPherson during secret lockdown romance
Topics