The path of true love never runs smoothly, and soap fans love to see couples facing obstacles. Yet some pairings don't manage to overcome these hurdles or even have the excitement of a really messy break-up. For a variety of reasons, some soap couples just kinda… fizzle out. Let's take a look at those romances which died a death…
1. Buster and Shirley (EastEnders)
We've talked before about Buster being sidelined as a character, and it's since been announced that he's actually leaving Albert Square soon. But it's still a shame to see his relationship with Shirley turn out to be a damp squib.
These two were childhood sweethearts, they had a son together and they have years of lost time to make up. So with Buster sleeping with Kathy and Shirley still not over Phil, it's all gone pear-shaped within two years of Buster's arrival. Having Shirley in a long-term relationship could have been the making of her, without dulling her hard edges.
2. Sonia and Tina (EastEnders)
These two lost souls could have worked and created a new, fun chapter together. But Tina's immaturity and Sonia's baggage (in the shape of ex-husband Martin and teenage daughter Bex) meant they were doomed.
What to Read Next
Infidelity, Tina's violent ex, breast cancer scares and commitment issues were nothing compared to viewer apathy. In terms of Walford's lesbian pairings, Binnie and Della from the mid-'90s probably made more of an impact. Who? Exactly.
3. Billy and Sean (Coronation Street)
As another of Sean's relationships bites the dust, it says it all that their most memorable moment involved Sean having a go at "bigoted" Emily Bishop.
Actor Daniel Brocklebank's recent comments about not wanting Billy to cheat on Sean were refreshing, though – we completely agree that not all soap couples should split due to infidelity. Billy's new pairing with Todd has much more potential, and we're fascinated to see if these two complex men can make a go of it.
4. Eva and Jason (Coronation Street)
These two were a hot pairing, but Catherine Tyldesley's maternity leave meant their romance had to hit a roadblock. Thanks to Todd's meddling, Jason believed that Eva had cheated on him with his own father, Tony. Cue a stint in France to mend Eva's broken heart. When she returned we hoped that Eva and Jason would reunite, but it sadly wasn't to be.
Eva has now moved on with factory boss Aidan, and Jason has left for a new life in Thailand. A short scene where Jason wistfully watched Eva cross the cobbles with her new beau was a reminder of what could have been. Waaaahh!
5. Chas and Dan (Emmerdale)
Emmerdale's 40th anniversary was celebrated with an unlikely double wedding. Declan and Katie would have a tumultuous time involving mineshaft accidents, infertility and deception before they eventually divorced. Chas and Dan's marriage, however, was DOA. Their whirlwind relationship had seemingly come from nowhere, with Chas using good guy Dan to deflect her feelings for Cameron, who she was having an affair with. A wedding night altercation which led Chas to believe she'd killed her blackmailing ex Carl King signalled the end of the marriage.
We do get occasional moments where Dan and Chas offer each other support, and we used to enjoy it when Kerry and Chas would exchange verbal blows. But it seems bizarre now that these two were ever an item.
6. Pete and Debbie (Emmerdale)
Poor Pete. All he ever wanted was to be a provider for Debbie and her kids, and what does he get for his trouble? A wedding ceremony playback of Debbie discussing her affair with his brother Ross, followed by a helicopter landing on the assembled guests.
Then the poor guy lashes out, "kills" Ross and ends up in prison. To add to his indignity, his prospective father-in-law Cain keeps punching him for inadvisedly kissing his Auntie Moira. Meanwhile, Princess Debs skips off to France without so much as a backward glance. Sigh.
7. Ste and John Paul (Hollyoaks)
This pairing made history with the first-ever gay church wedding in soap and were dealing with the huge challenge of Ste's HIV diagnosis. It's fair to say that the couple were popular with fans of the show. That still didn't stop the relationship running out of steam, and the planned one-year anniversary reunion under the arch just didn't happen.
Ste notably moved on with Harry, which is now a much bigger pairing. John Paul meanwhile, eventually found a surprising new partner in the form of Scott – before sleeping with the marvellously manipulative lawyer James.
