The Rumour star Rachel Shenton's life off-screen with famous husband

Rachel Shenton, best known for her roles in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small, is also remembered as Mitzeee Minniver from Hollyoaks. The 37 year old actress has an impressive acting career and is set to return to our screens in the new Channel 5 thriller The Rumour, where she takes on the lead role of Joanna.

In addition to her acting career, Rachel leads a busy life as a mother and co-founder of a successful acting school.Let's delve into the TV star's life off-camera, including her marriage and family....

Rachel originates from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. She attended two secondary schools before studying performing arts at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Her career began at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where her play received critical acclaim, leading to minor TV roles in shows such as Holby City and Waterloo Road.

Rachel featured in Nickelodeon's Genie in the House and Five's Sophia's Diary, and also appeared in advertisements for DFS and the Ministry of Defence.

Rachel's big break came in 2010 when she was cast as Mitzeee Minniver in Hollyoaks. She decided to leave the soap in December 2012, with her final scenes airing the following year.

In 2014, she made her US TV debut in Switched at Birth and remained on the show until its final season in 2017.

Rachel starred in the short film The Silent Child, which was based on her experiences growing up with a deaf parent. This poignant film received an Oscar nomination and won an Academy Award.

TV enthusiasts will likely recognise Rachel from her roles as Jo Scott in BBC2's White Gold, or Helen Alderson in Channel 5's All Creatures Great and Small.

She also portrayed Emily in Channel 5's For Her Sins and is currently gracing our screens in the new drama The Rumour, where she stars alongside Emily Atack.

In addition to her acting career, Rachel and her agent Amanda Andrews established the Midlands Screen Acting School, known as MSAS, in 2013. The school offers lessons on screen acting techniques.

The classes are designed for aspiring actors looking to advance their careers, welcoming all skill levels. Classes are held monthly at Staffordshire University and can also be accessed online.

When Rachel was just 12 years old, her father lost his hearing after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Following his passing, Rachel learned British Sign Language and in 2011, she became an ambassador for the National Deaf Children's Society. In support of the charity, the actress climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and completed a skydive.

She also ascended the BT Tower in aid of Action on Hearing Loss.

In recognition of her efforts to raise awareness about deafness in the UK, Rachel was awarded an honorary degree from Keele University in 2019.

In 2023, Rachel was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Staffordshire University for her tireless campaigning for the deaf community and her acting career.

Rachel is happily wedded to actor and filmmaker Chris Overton. The pair exchanged vows in 2018, having announced their engagement earlier that same year.

Their romance began back in 2010.

Chris is best known for his role as Liam McAllister in Hollyoaks. He directed the acclaimed short film The Silent Child in 2017, which featured Rachel in a starring role.

In April 2025, the couple celebrated the arrival of their first child, a baby boy.

The Rumour begins airing on Channel 5 on Wednesday, 10 September at 9pm