Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter is reportedly engaged to a convicted drug lord who supplied equipment for an amphetamine factory. The actress, 48, famed for her role as Chas Dingle on the ITV soap, was spotted visiting her "fiancé" Elliott Walker, 54, at HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk. Walker, who hails from Kidbrooke, south east London, was sentenced to six years in prison back in December 2021 for his role in establishing a giant drug manufacturing operation in Warwickshire, having supplied equipment for what's believed to be the largest amphetamine production site in Britain.

The West Midlands lab, run by gangster John Keet, was said to be capable of producing 400 kilos of amphetamine per month which had an estimated street value of £10 million. The convict has wasted no time in telling his fellow inmates about his wife-to-be, especially after she was recognised during her prison visit, claims The Sun on Sunday.

An insider told the publication: "Her relationship has been the talk of the prison because some other visitors obviously recognised Lucy the other day as she's been on Emmerdale for ages. And Elliott has made no secret of telling other inmates she's his fiancée."

A photo emerged of Lucy allegedly captured outside the open Category D prison just last week when she visited her partner. It is unknown when she started dating Walker, who is believed to be nearing his release date.

In 2022, Lucy announced she had a new boyfriend during an appearance on The Heal is Real podcast.

The star, who has played Chas Dingle since 2002, said: "I'm in a new relationship now. Exclusive. Don't say anything."

It was speculated Lucy had taken the next step in her relationship in July last year after she showed off a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger.

Lucy split with her long-term partner Rudi Coleano in 2019. The former couple welcomed a daughter named Lola in 2005 before Lucy gave birth to twins Betsy and Missy in 2017 after years of IVF.

The I'm A Celebrity star admitted she came close to marrying Rudi in 2012, but they ultimately decided against it.

"We were in Dubai about a month ago and we said, 'Sod it, while we're here, let's do it.' Then I thought all our mates would be like, 'Oh cheers, thanks for the invite'," she previously told The Sun.

In 2019, a spokesperson for Lucy told Digital Spy: "Lucy Pargeter has confirmed she has separated from her long term partner Rudi Coleano and while no longer together their main priority is raising their three daughters."

Express Online has contacted Lucy's representatives for comment.