Emmerdale's Joe Tate actor Ned Porteous 'dating American actress Lucy Heath' after meeting in LA By Niomi Harris For Mailonline Published: 22:39 BST, 18 April 2019 | Updated: 22:45 BST, 18 April 2019 Viewcomments He left the Yorkshire Dales behind to pursue a career in Los Angeles. And while Ned Porteous' Hollywood career hasn't quite taken off as yet, his love life certainly has as it's been reported that he's dating American actress Lucy Hale after meeting in the Californian city. According to reports, it's early days for Lucy and the 24-year-old actor, who played Joe Tate in the ITV soap, with the couple spending time together in both the UK and the US. New love? Ned Porteous' career hasn't quite taken off as yet, his love life certainly has as it's been reported that he's dating American actress Lucy Hale after meeting in the Californian city New romance: The 24-year-old actor left the Yorkshire Dales behind to pursue a career in Los Angeles A source told The Sun: 'It’s early days but Ned is really enjoying dating Lucy. They have both been in America recently looking for work and grew really close. 'Ned usually likes to keep his love life private but has been taking Lucy to various events both in London and LA. 'They have loads in common with their acting work and make a great looking couple – it’s just Ned’s fans who are gutted!' The couple enjoyed a date night at Circus Extreme in Richmond on Wednesday night, with the pair seen looking cosy. That's my girl: Although the soap actor is yet to confirm his romance, he did recently post a romantic looking snap of himself and Lucy snuggling up on a rock in California Although the soap actor is yet to confirm his romance, he did recently post a romantic looking snap of himself and Lucy snuggling up on a rock in California. MailOnline have contacted his reps for comment. Ned moved to America earlier this year in a bid to crack the industry across the pond. Speaking to the publication about his move, Ned said: 'I haven’t had a holiday for a very long time so I’m desperate first to get out to America. 'I’ve got management out there so I want to try my hand with the American casting system and then go on a little holiday. Blossoming: It’s early days but Ned is really enjoying dating Lucy. They have both been in America recently looking for work and grew really close' 'I will turn my phone off, go climbing, go camping, go fishing.' Ned's character Joe recently stunned fans when it was revealed that he was alive after being presumed dead after being attacked by Cain Dingle in a fit of rage. However, in a shock twist last month, Kim Tate revealed the startling truth after she hired a private investigator to find out about missing money from her offshore account. Attack: Joe Tate was presumed dead last autumn after being attacked by Cain Dingle in a fit of rage After suspecting her employee Graham Foster was hiding something, she later confronted him with CCTV pictures of Joe withdrawing money from her account from Monte Carlo. And it was little surprise that she was livid with Graham, seeing as she had ordered him to murder Joe months before. Meanwhile, Lucy attended the Guildford School Of Acting and has starred in two short films Mating Call and Stretching The Play. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility