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Ben Freeman

Benedict Freeman (born 8 April 1980) is an English best known for portraying the of Scott Windsor in the Emmerdale. Freeman joined in April 1998, playing the character of , the troubled son of , until his departure in January 2007. During his tenure, the featured in prominent storylines involving family dynamics, criminal activities, and personal struggles within the fictional village of . Following his exit from Emmerdale, Freeman pursued a diverse range of projects in television, theatre, and film. In 2013, he took on the iconic role of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the UK touring production of the musical Happy Days. He returned to soap operas in 2021, appearing as the drug dealer Caleb Malone in the BBC series EastEnders from January to March. More recently, Freeman featured in the 2023 historical adventure film The Three Musketeers.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Benedict Freeman, known professionally as Ben Freeman, was born on 8 April 1980 in England, United Kingdom. He grew up with two younger sisters, Rosie and Laura. Freeman's family life included a stepfather named Mike, with whom he shared vacations during his youth.

Education and early interests

Freeman was educated at local schools in , including St Bernard's Convent School (now St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School) in , during the 1980s and 1990s. He also trained at in . There is no record of him attending . His early interest in emerged while at , when he enrolled in a part-time acting course during a half-term holiday around the mid-1990s; during this course, he was discovered by an agent who signed him for representation.

Acting career

Early television roles

Ben Freeman's professional career began at the age of 16 with his debut role as Chris Longworth in the children's drama , where he appeared from 1996 to 1998 across 42 episodes in series 19 to 21. Chris was introduced as a from a strict religious family, characterized as a devout Christian navigating the challenges of in a environment. Throughout his character's arc, Chris engaged in various school-based storylines that highlighted themes of faith, friendship, and peer pressure. In series 19, he developed feelings for classmate Anna Wright and ran away with her to Scotland to escape a forced baptism by his parents, leading to a perilous ordeal before their return and reconciliation. Subsequent plots saw him join the "hill hogs" group of friends, including Colin Brown and Dill Lodge, while participating in school activities such as refusing to play badminton due to religious conflicts, performing at a karaoke night, and facing tensions during a skiing trip. Romantically, Chris experienced a brief fling with the outgoing Joanna Day in series 20, which left him heartbroken after discovering he was used, and later dated Laurie Watson in series 21, only to cheat with Dill, resulting in the exposure of the affair, loss of friendships, and his increasing isolation by the series' end. Freeman's portrayal of , a role that spanned his character's progression from year 9 to year 11, marked his transition from amateur to professional acting as a young adult. This exposure on significantly raised his profile among television audiences and paved the way for subsequent roles.

Role in Emmerdale

Ben Freeman joined the cast of the ITV Emmerdale in April 1998 at the age of 18, portraying after the character returned from army service; he took over the role from Toby Cockerell and depicted Scott until January 2007 across 901 episodes. Scott, the biological son of (née Dawson) and Reg Dawson, navigated complex family dynamics within the Windsor clan after being adopted by as a child; his return to the village highlighted strained relationships, including being disowned by Vic following involvement in a teenage theft gang that targeted the local . A particularly controversial arc involved an incestuous affair with his adoptive sister , which culminated in her suicide attempt and eventual departure from the village. The character's romantic entanglements were central to his development, most notably a with that resulted in the birth of their daughter, , though their relationship faltered amid Zoe's diagnosis and her lack of interest in motherhood. Scott later pursued a relationship with before engaging in an affair with stepsister and partnering with , with whom he ran a garage business. Scott's storylines often incorporated criminal elements, reflecting his troubled persona; early on, he received a 12-month for attacking rapist Frank Tate, and later faced a short prison term after taking and at gunpoint during a custody dispute. His army discharge, initially attributed to psychiatric issues, was revealed as a cover for an extramarital affair with a superior's wife, adding layers to his volatile history. Freeman's exit from the series stemmed from a combination of his expressed desire for new acting challenges and a reported axing by producers amid off-screen legal troubles, including rape allegations in for which he was suspended in late 2006 and ultimately cleared in October 2008; Scott's final arc saw him relocate to to live with an old army contact, selling the family garage and bidding farewell to . Subsequent considerations for Scott's return have surfaced periodically, including fan-driven campaigns in 2025 tied to April Windsor's perilous involvement in a local drug ring led by Ray Walters, her subsequent disappearance, and related family crises, prompting speculation that might reprise the role to aid his daughter. Freeman's portrayal cemented Scott as a quintessential soap heartthrob, with the character's rebellious charm, family conflicts, and high-stakes dramas fostering a loyal fanbase that continues to advocate for his reintroduction into 's narrative.

Theatre productions

Following his departure from in 2007, Ben Freeman transitioned to stage work, diversifying his career into with his debut in the role of Norman in Dreamboats and Petticoats, which toured the and transferred to the West End's in 2009. In 2010, Freeman appeared as Prince Escalus in an urban adaptation of Shakespeare's , directed by Adam Welsh and produced by MokitaGrit at the Mosaica@The Chocolate Factory Theatre in from July 14 to 17. Freeman took on the role of Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde: The Musical at the , joining the cast on October 10, 2011, alongside as . From October 29, 2012, to November 18, 2013, he portrayed Fiyero Tigelaar in the West End production of at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, performing the role for over 400 shows opposite Louise Dearman as and Gina Beck as . In 2014, Freeman starred as Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli in the UK premiere tour of Happy Days: A New Musical, which began previews on January 11 at the Churchill Theatre in and concluded in July. He returned to touring in 2015 as Brad Majors in , with the production running from December 14, 2015, to May 28, 2016, co-starring as . Freeman has discussed the demands of , noting that the shift from required intensive vocal preparation, including regular singing lessons to build stamina and technique comparable to that of drama school-trained performers. He highlighted the adrenaline and immediacy of live audiences as a rewarding contrast to the controlled environment of TV filming, though it presented unique challenges like sustaining energy across multiple nightly shows.

Later film and television work

Following his departure from Emmerdale in 2007, Ben Freeman transitioned into a variety of screen roles, increasingly focusing on independent films and guest appearances in television before expanding into international productions. In , Freeman took the lead role of Ed Leighton in the action thriller Hooligan Escape: The Job, portraying a hooligan navigating a perilous escape from captivity after a clash at the Euro 2016 tournament. The film, directed by Nicky Summer, highlighted Freeman's ability to handle intense, physical action sequences in a low-budget production. Later that year, he starred as the titular in Robin Hood: The Rebellion, a gritty retelling where his character leads a band of outlaws to rescue his beloved from the , emphasizing themes of rebellion against tyranny. Directed by Steven Lawson, the movie featured Freeman alongside and received mixed reviews for its straightforward narrative. Freeman's television work in this period included a guest role as Adrian Richards in the daytime drama Doctors on 4 April 2019, where he played a skydiving instructor entangled in a personal crisis involving family and adventure sports. In 2021, he appeared in as Caleb Malone, a drug dealer whose arc from January to March intersected with the and storyline, adding tension through criminal intrigue in the soap's Albert Square setting. By the early 2020s, Freeman's career shifted toward higher-profile international projects. He had a supporting role as a Miracle Parent in the 2022 adaptation of , directed by , contributing to the ensemble in this family-friendly musical fantasy based on Roald Dahl's novel. In 2023, Freeman portrayed Athos in the action-adventure film , a modern take on ' classic where his character joins D'Artagnan and the others to thwart Cardinal Richelieu's schemes against the French crown; the low-budget production starred and emphasized swordplay and political intrigue. A significant milestone came in 2024 with Freeman's role as Corporal Jethro Woodbine in the historical drama , appearing in season 7's episode "," which aired on 13 December 2024. As a British soldier during the , Woodbine interacts with key figures like Lord John Grey, adding to the series' blend of romance, , and historical events; filming took place in , marking Freeman's entry into major U.S. . This opportunity underscored his evolution toward global work, building on prior theatre experience to diversify his screen presence. In 2023, Freeman confirmed his permanent departure from the soap to pursue U.S. opportunities like , closing the door on a comeback. In 2025, Freeman continued with guest spots in British series, including James Colvy, a expert, in Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, and Dennis Pride in the mystery Murder Most Puzzling (also known as The Puzzle Lady), both airing episodes that year and showcasing his versatility in and puzzle-solving narratives. Amid fan speculation about a potential Emmerdale return tied to the April Windsor disappearance plot,

Personal life

Relationships

Freeman began a romantic relationship with his co-star in late 2000, shortly after she joined the series as , whose on-screen pairing with Freeman's character mirrored their real-life romance. The couple, who lived together in , navigated the pressures of fame by maintaining privacy and separating work from personal life; in a 2003 interview, Freeman stated, "It’s not that difficult to leave the screen character behind," while noting the challenges of intimate scenes requiring reassurance off-set. Their relationship, which lasted nearly four years, ended in September 2004 amid reports of on Freeman's part. In 2009, Freeman met actress Jennifer Biddall while co-starring in the touring production of the musical Dreamboats and Petticoats. The pair began dating in May of that year, became engaged in December, and married on 10 September 2010 at The Manor House Hotel in , . They welcomed a son, , in late 2011. Freeman has spoken publicly about the importance of supportive partnerships amid career demands, crediting Biddall for her support during his recovery following earlier legal troubles, in which he was charged in 2006 with the rape of a 16-year-old British tourist in but was acquitted in 2008. The marriage ended in divorce in 2014, with the couple maintaining a low profile on the separation. Reports from 2013 had alleged during Freeman's work on a West End production, but no further public details emerged regarding the split.

Post-divorce life and current activities

Following his divorce from actress Biddall in 2014, Ben Freeman has maintained a low public profile, with subsequent media attention centering predominantly on his projects rather than personal developments. Freeman's post-divorce professional pursuits have involved international travel for work, including filming in for season seven of the series in 2024, where he appeared as Corporal Jethro Woodbine in the episode "." production primarily takes place across various Scottish locations, such as those around and the Highlands, requiring on-location commitments from the cast. As of 2025, at age 45, Freeman continues to emphasize career through selective roles in and , while public glimpses of his personal style reveal a shift to longer, curlier hair and a dark . No reports indicate involvement in , , or other non-acting endeavors, and detailed personal updates remain limited beyond professional announcements since around 2021.

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