Emmerdale favourite Lawrence Robb may be bowing out of the Dales, just as his love life off-screen is hitting the spotlight. The actor, who plays Mackenzie Boyd, has left fans fearing the worst after his character’s brutal attack — but away from the Yorkshire village, Robb is happily loved-up with a West End star.

Is Mackenzie Boyd Really Dead?

Viewers were left horrified last week when Mack was ambushed by villain John Sugden, who left him bleeding and lifeless after a vicious assault. John was later seen stashing Mack’s body in his van, fuelling speculation that the fan-favourite character has been killed off for good.

The shocking twist has triggered intense speculation about Robb’s future on the soap. With reports swirling that the actor may have filmed his final scenes, many fans believe Mack’s death marks the end of Robb’s five-year run in the Dales.

When quizzed about the rumours on Loose Women, Robb remained coy.

“Yeah, there are lots of rumours — and the rumours they shall remain,” he teased.

He added:

“Ultimately, if and when the time comes for me to leave, whether my choice or the choice of writers and producers, then I will be thankful for the time.”

From Glasgow to the Dales

Born 7 November 1991, Robb grew up in the Scottish town of Kilmacolm, around 45 minutes from Glasgow. Though he trained in musical theatre and originally wanted to pursue music, acting opportunities kept coming his way.

Robb often shares his love of music on social media with stripped-back song covers, proving his talents go far beyond the soap world.

When he joined Emmerdale in 2020 as Mackenzie, some viewers wondered if he was related to on-screen sister Moira Dingle (played by Natalie J. Robb). Despite sharing a surname and both hailing from Scotland, the actors confirmed it was pure coincidence.

A Private Man, a Public Romance

For years, Robb kept his relationships low-key. He was previously linked to actress Joanne Thomson, known for In Plain Sight, The Victim and Outlander, but the pair kept things private and later quietly split.

More recently, Robb has found love with Pamela Blair, a West End actress currently starring in The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical. The couple have been spotted at industry events together, including the 2024 BAFTA Scotland Awards Champagne Reception in Glasgow, and even attended Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins’ wedding in May.

Pamela herself shared a candid snap of the pair on Instagram from the celebration, captioning:

“Celebrating the beautiful Whiteheads. Getting us off the dance floor at a wedding is mission impossible.”

A source close to the couple told The Sun:

“They’ve attended industry events together and been on some lovely travels. They’ve decided to keep things very private and lowkey. Lawrence is a very private person — some fans can be a bit much and can’t separate their feelings about his character from him, so there’s a balance to be struck.”

What’s Next for Lawrence Robb?

Whether or not Mackenzie Boyd is gone for good, Robb seems to have plenty lined up. With musical theatre roots and a growing public relationship with Blair, many fans believe he could return to the stage if his soap chapter closes.

For now, though, viewers will have to wait and see whether Mack survived John Sugden’s brutal attack — or if Lawrence Robb’s exit is already sealed.

One thing’s certain: whether in the Dales, on stage, or in his private life, Robb has no shortage of drama.