DOB: 19 May 1956
Marital Status: Married to Bob
Address: Flat above the Post Office / Café Hope
Occupation: Post mistress and Café Owner

First arrived  
10 August, 1993, when Essex girl Viv moved north with husband Vic Windsor and kids Scott and Donna and stepdaughter Kelly.

Character reference  
There's nobody in Emmerdale who hasn't had a run-in with sharp-tongued Viv Hope. The high-heel wearing post mistress has a mind for gossip and a body for sin - and frequently enjoys both.

Love life  
When Viv first came to Emmerdale, it was to start a new life with her second husband Vic Windsor. Although she loved Vic, she was often exasperated by him. During a particular rocky patch, she started an affair with his best mate Terry Woods. The fling fizzled out and Viv and Vic got back together. Tragically, Vic's life was cut short when criminal Billy Hopwood conducted an armed robbery in the post office and shot him dead.

When Viv started dating hosiery salesman Bob Hope, Kelly started flirting with her step-mum’s new boyfriend. However, Bob was the perfect match for Viv and the pair soon fell madly in love.

Their relationship was tested to the limit when it was revealed that Viv slept with a limo driver on her friend Tricia Stokes' hen night and, at his daughter Dawn's wedding, Bob left Viv and they later divorced.

At her lowest ebb, Viv started flirting with Emily Kirk’s husband Paddy. A misunderstanding lead Paddy to confess he'd slept with Viv and Emily trashed Viv’s shop, quit her job and announced their deception to everyone in the Woolpack.

Somehow, Viv and Bob managed to put their relationship back together although it’s often rocky. Viv and Bob married again in 2006. On the day of the wedding, Viv was horrified when Bob failed to show at the church. What he'd actually been doing was having a vasectomy reversal but had been taken hostage by his ex-wife Jean who begged him to ditch Viv and go back to her.
   
When Bob finally got to Viv’s side in the church, they had an almighty row before walking down the aisle to tie the knot for the second time. After months of trying to become pregnant Viv gave birth to twins Cathy and Heathcliffe in February, 2007.

Memorable scene  
When Viv got imprisoned for marijuana possession while on holiday with Bob in Barbados. She later got off, much to the villagers’ dismay!

What next for Viv?   
Will Viv’s parenting classes prove a success? And as she’s outlived two husbands already, what hope is there for Bob?

About the actress  
Deena Payne used to tour with ex-Animals keyboard player Alan Price as a backing singer as well as being in the novelty girl band Cats U.K. She was one of the dancers in Rock Follies of '77' and has also appeared in The Tales of Sherwood Forest.