Author: Kerry Barrett

Emmerdale star Sammy Winward in profile: ‘Secret’ marriage to childhood sweetheart and rumoured ‘feud’ with teenage daughter

Sammy Winward played Katie Sugden in Emmerdale for almost 15 years. She’s got a grown-up daughter, an impressive acting CV, and she’s not yet 40!

Her life isn’t as dramatic as alter ego Katie’s was, but there are some similarities! Here’s her story.

Sammy’s early years

Emmerdale star Sammy Winward was born in Bolton and started acting as a child. She won the role of Katie Addyman in Emmerdale when she was just 15.

Sammy was just 15 when she started playing Katie (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Katie Sugden’s dramatic years in Emmerdale

Katie Addyman first appeared on screen back in 2001. She and Andy Sugden hit it off and fell in love. They even moved in together when they were just 17. But things got tricky and Katie ended up having an affair with Andy’s brother, Robert.

Katie and Robert got engaged but he cheated with Sadie King, and Katie left the village for a while.

In real life, Sammy was pregnant with her daughter, and was off on maternity leave!

Andy and Katie tied the knot twice (Credit: ITV)

Back to the village for Emmerdale star Sammy Winward

A few months later after being involved in a car accident, Katie came back to Emmerdale. The crash killed her dad and the hospital called Andy as her next of kin.

Katie and Andy tried to make their marriage work but Andy eventually cheated with Jo Stiles and they parted.

When Katie offered to be a surrogate for Grayson and Perdita Hyde-Sinclair, she didn’t realise how unstable their marriage was until it was too late and she was pregnant. After a lot of drama, Katie gave the baby boy to Perdita.

Katie married Declan Macey but their marriage was rocky from the start and when Declan covered up the discovery of a body on his land, Katie left him.

Katie was determined to find out who Robert was sleeping with (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Andy again

More ups and downs followed, until eventually Katie and Andy reconciled and got married again. But Robert was back in the village and with the brothers’ feud reignited, Katie was on a mission to discover who Robert was having an affair with.

When she found Robert and Aaron kissing, the secret was out! Katie took a photo on her phone and when Aaron left, she confronted Robert.

He turned aggressive trying to get Katie’s phone and when she lunged at him, he shoved her and she fell through the floor and died. Robert told Aaron it was an accident and the pair covered up the crime.

Sammy played Sonia Sutcliffe in ITV drama The Long Shadow (Credit: ITV)

What is Emmerdale star Sammy Winward doing now?

Sammy appeared in Prey alongside Philip Glenister in 2015, and a film called Lies We Tell in 2017. In 2019 she appeared in short film Lead Belly alongside Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas.

After a break from acting, during which she worked as a teacher, last year she played Sonia Sutcliffe – Peter Sutcliffe’s wife – in the ITV drama about the Yorkshire Ripper, The Long Shadow.

Sammy has returned to acting recently and has married her childhood sweetheart (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Is Sammy Winward married?

Sammy was engaged to former Blackburn Rovers player David Dunn. They have a daughter called Mia, who is now . The couple split just two months after Mia’s birth.

In 2017, Sammy married her childhood sweetheart Martyn Hardy. The pair had dated as teens and rekindled their romance later in life. Sammy didn’t reveal she had wed until four years after their big day. She shared a photo on her Instagram feed and wrote: “Six years today since I got engaged to the love of my life, four years married, 24 years of friendship and still going strong. Here’s to 24+ more.”

Fans were stunned as they didn’t even realise she had a boyfriend, let alone a husband! “Well done for being able to keep it private,” one commented on the post.

Sammy Winward and daughter Mia appeared on Loose Women in 2021

Sammy Winward reportedly in feud with daughter

Recent reports suggest there is a bit of a family rift between Mia and her parents. Back in the summer, Mia told The Sun her mum and dad don’t approve of her posting content to OnlyFans.

Speaking of her mum, Mia claimed: “She said some pretty mean things when we did last speak, it was awful. But I absolutely love my mum, I love all of my family but none of them speak to me now.

“I will always love and appreciate them. I hope that one day we can rebuild our relationship and move on.”

Although Sammy has not commented on the interview, back in 2021, she told Loose Women how she and Mia were like “best friends”.

Sammy said: “I always thought, ‘Oh my god I’m only going to be 36/37 when she is 18. And I’m nearly there now. It’s just crazy because we just feel like best mates really.

“Obviously there is the mother and daughter relationship but we’re more like best mates,” she added.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter

17th October 2024
As Tina Dingle returns to Emmerdale – the truth about her fake wedding, rivalry with Kim Tate and dramatic exit

Tina Dingle hasn’t been seen in Emmerdale since the nineties, but she’s heading back to the village for her dad’s funeral. Tina was Zak Dingle‘s only daughter until Belle came along! She was first seen in the village in the aftermath of brother Ben’s death in 1994.

Ben had been killed in a fight with Luke McAllister, though later it was revealed he’d had a heart condition that was the real cause of his death. The families were at war and Tina was desperate for revenge.

Tina was only in the show for two years but she definitely made her mark! Here’s her story…

Even proud dad Zak didn’t know Tina’s wedding was a sham (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Tina and Luke’s wedding

Determined to take revenge on Luke for killing Ben, Tina decided to hit Luke right where it hurt – in his heart!

She wormed her way into his affections and the pair started a relationship. The Dingles – especially Zak and first wife Nellie – were horrified but as Tina and Luke’s romance became more serious, they got used to the idea.

Nellie was even excited to have a future medic in the family as Luke was planning to study to become a doctor.

When Tina announced she was pregnant, the family rallied round and planned a wedding. But in the run-up to the big day, Tina managed to make Luke miss an important exam, and sell his beloved motorbike, and a family heirloom!

When the big day dawned, Tina jilted Luke at the altar – telling him there was no baby, and she didn’t love him. This was revenge for him killing her brother!

Luke was killed when he crashed the van but Tina threw herself out (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Luke’s heartbreak

Devastated and humiliated, Luke decided to leave Emmerdale to go and live in London with his parents. But before he left, he persuaded Tina to see him one last time.

They went for a drive in Dave Glover’s van but Luke was unstable. He wanted Tina to tell the truth about whether she had ever loved him and drove faster and faster. Terrified, Tina managed to throw herself from the moving van, but Luke ploughed into a tree and died.

Tina was crippled with guilt after his death, saying that while she’d wanted revenge, she hadn’t wanted this.

Frank began harrassing Tina (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Tina and Frank

As she tried to rebuild her life after Luke’s death, Tina took a job as Frank Tate‘s assistant at Home Farm.

She thought Frank Tate had given her the job to make Kim jealous, but actually Frank was developing feelings for the much younger woman!

When Tina began dating smooth Steve Marchant, Frank was jealous and began playing mind games with Tina. He even proposed! Tina turned him down, telling him she only saw him as her boss.

Frank wouldn’t accept her rejection. He began pressurising her to change her mind, and harassing her.

In the end it all got too much for Tina and she left the village – never to return! She didn’t come back when her half-sister Belle was born, nor when brother Butch died.

Who played Tina Dingle?

Tina was played by Jacqueline Pirie. After she left Emmerdale she moved across the Pennines to Weatherfield, playing Linda Sykes – later Linda Barlow – in Coronation Street.

After that, Jacqueline moved to Canada and stopped acting though she did run a theatre school for a while.

And under her married name, Jacqueline Chadwick, she writes crime thrillers featuring forensic pathologist Ali Dalglish.

When Tina returns to the village she will be played by a new actress – Samantha Power.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

17th October 2024
Classic Emmerdale spoilers: Is there trouble in paradise for Louise? And Andy’s making big promises

In Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 on Wednesday October 16, Louise is struggling with domestic bliss and Katie’s worried about her future. These episodes originally aired on March 1 and 2, 2006.

Tom’s scheming in Classic Emmerdale spoilers

Tom is determined to keep Matthew and Sadie apart, and he’ll do any thing to avoid a chance meeting between the pair. When Carl wants to take the kids horse riding, Edna tells him all the horses are booked. And when he asks if he can use Cossack, she’s shifty.

It turns out, Sadie’s coming to pick up Cossack and Tom doesn’t want to risk Matthew spotting her.

Tom even invites Carl and Matthew to a golf tournament the next day to keep them out of the way. But when he twigs what’s going on, Carl’s uncomfortable about lying to his brother.

Louise and Martin are settling in at the Woolpack but there’s trouble in paradise (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Trouble in paradise

Meanwhile there’s trouble in paradise as Louise struggles with Martin’s ‘shabby chic’ style. She’s not happy when he brings in an exercise bike and puts it in the backroom, telling Diane she doesn’t want to be showered with sweat.

Louise blames Diane and tells Martin the bike has to go because she doesn’t like it. Martin’s confused because Diane doesn’t even live there -Â but he agrees. Diane’s pleased that the backroom is staying as she likes it, which leaves Louise bristling.

Though she’s even more annoyed when Martin announces he’s moved the bike into the bedroom!

Jack doesn’t want Andy to get in too deep with Katie (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Making promises in Classic Emmerdale spoilers

Andy’s worried about Katie and promises to be there for her, though Daz is worried about Andy because the last time Katie was around, he tried to take his own life.

Jack reassures Daz that won’t happen. However later he tells Diane he wants to make sure Andy doesn’t get in too deep. Diane warns him not to interfere.

Andy fills Katie in on everything that’s happened since she’s been away, and asks where she’s been but Katie is evasive.

Later, Katie’s tearful when she tells Andy the police haven’t managed to track her mum down, and admits she’s worried about her future.

Job offers!

Elsewhere, Steph offers Jasmine and Debbie a job at the B&B, and a reporter from the Hotten Courier arrives, wanting to write an article about Alice.

Read more: Emmerdale cast list for 2024

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter

16th October 2024
As the Dingles celebrate 30 years – The best ever Dingle moments

The Dingles feel like part of the furniture in Emmerdale. Their numbers keep growing and their storylines keep getting more dramatic, and it’s hard to remember a time when there wasn’t at least one Dingle in the village!

It’s 30 years since the family burst on to our screens, and they’re right at the heart of storylines this week as the family get the sad news that Zak – the head of the Dingles and Belle, Sam and Cain’s dad – had died.

Emmerdale is celebrating the whole Dingle clan this week, so we decided to join in by remembering some of the best Dingle moments!

Here’s what we chose – what are yours?

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Silly moments for the Dingles in Emmerdale

It’s strange to remember this now but when the Dingles first arrived on-screen, they were often the butt of jokes! Their scams and money-making schemes were the talk of the village – remember these?!

Barry Clegg built the rocket and Butch planned a space trip (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Butch in space

In 1997, Lisa’s ex-husband Barry Clegg built a rocket that ran on pig waste. So of course the Dingles decided to build a rocket and send Butch into space. Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon, says it was his favourite Dingle moment. It won’t surprise anyone to know their attempt to send Butch into space failed!

Hillbilly rock

It’s a bit of a cheat as it wasn’t just Dingles, and it wasn’t just in Emmerdale but the Woolpackers – a country music band – had some chart success back in the late 90s.
Steve Halliwell, aka Zak Dingle, was joined by fellow Emmerdale stars Alun Lewis (Vic Windsor) and Billy Hartman (Terry) as well as Jane Cox (Lisa Dingle), and reached number five in the charts with Hillbilly Rock!

Babies for the Dingles in Emmerdale

We’ve seen five generations of Dingles on our screens and some very memorable births!

Baby Belle’s arrival was a surprise for her parents! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

A Christmas miracle

Lisa didn’t know she was expecting when she gave birth to baby Belle. She felt a bit peculiar while she was out in the pen, helping Paddy look after a poorly pig. Lisa gave birth to baby Belle with Paddy’s help, on Christmas Day in 1998.

Chas and Paddy said a sad goodbye to baby Grace (Credit: ITV)

Heartbreak for Chas

There was heartbreak for Chas Dingle when she found out her unborn baby wouldn’t survive for long after she arrived. Chas chose to continue her pregnancy and when she gave birth to baby Grace, she and dad Paddy, imagined their daughter’s future. Baby Grace only lived for 29 minutes.

Debbie’s surprise

Teenager Debbie Dingle got pregnant after a brief affair with Andy Sugden. She kept her pregnancy a secret from just about everyone and eventually gave birth to little Sarah in the woods. Debbie struggled with motherhood at first, but she’s now devoted to Sarah and her son Jack.

Weddings for the Dingles in Emmerdale

Robron finally tie the knot

Everyone had waited a long time for Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle to tie the knot. They finally got their shiz together and planned their big day, only for Aaron’s mum Chas give birth to tragic baby Grace the day before. But with Chas’s blessing the pair finally walked down the aisle and made Robron official.

Tina’s revenge

Tina Dingle played a long game of revenge when she seduced brother Ben’s killer, Luke McAllister. She wooed Luke, convincing him and everyone else they had a future, she pretended to be pregnant, planned a wedding and manipulated Luke into selling his family heirlooms. And then she jilted him at the altar. Ouch!

Chas took revenge on cheating Carl on their wedding day (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Chas gets her own back

Tina was obviously in Chas’s mind when she found out her fiancÃ© Carl King was cheating with Eve Jenson. Just like her cousin before her, Chas kept on wedding planning, pocketing the cash Carl was handing over, and jilted him at the altar. He totally deserved it, let’s be honest. It was Chas’s finest moment!

Debbie and Pete’s explosive wedding

If we’re after the most dramatic wedding in Emmerdale, then Debbie Dingle’s big day with Pete Barton definitely fits the bill. Not only was the bride’s affair with the groom’s brother revealed at the reception, but thanks to a chain of events involving Robert Sugden, Chrissie White and Adam Barton, a helicopter crashed into the party, killing Val Pollard!

Lisa passed away on her wedding day (Credit: ITV)

Lisa’s tragic big day

After finally rekindling her relationship with Zak, Lisa was thrilled when they walked down the aisle for a second time. The pair had a perfect wedding day – the Woolpackers even made an appearance at the reception – and then Lisa headed back to Wishing Well Cottage to change her dress. She sat down next to loyal pooch Monty and passed away peacefully. SOB!

Deaths for the Dingle family in Emmerdale

Of course, with the births and the marriages, there has to come the deaths. It’s the circle of life, as Elton John would say. Here’s the best ones:

Cain gave Faith a memorable ‘trip’ to the seaside before she died (Credit: ITV)

Faith makes her mark

Yes Faith wasn’t the best mum to Chas and Cain, and she didn’t even know newcomer son Caleb, but everyone loved her just the same. From her arrival in Emmerdale to her final days spent on a trip to the seaside (sort of), she stole the show, and her peaceful death with son Cain at her side, was perfect.

Gennie’s tragic demise

It was YEARS ago but we’re still reeling at Genesis Walker’s brutal death at the hands of Dales killer Cameron Murray. Gennie had worked out Cameron was the killer, but he chased her down and killed her. It was a shocking soap moment and one Emmerdale fans will remember forever.

Drama for the Dingles in Emmerdale

Where there’s a Dingle, there’s always drama! It’s hard to pick the most dramatic Dingle moments but here’s a few that got our hearts racing.

Charity bravely faced her abuser in court (Credit: ITV)

Charity v Bails

Brave, bold Charity confronted her past, literally and metaphorically, when she took on her one-time abuser, DI Mark Bails. Not only did Charity face the rapist police officer in court, she also discovered the son she thought had died – Ryan Stocks – was alive and well, and reconnected with him.

Chas and Debbie Vs Cameron

Emmerdale killer Cameron Murray went to jail, only to escape and come back to the village to torment his former lovers Chas and Debbie. In tense scenes, unhinged Cameron held the whole pub at gunpoint, shooting Alicia Metcalfe in the process. And then he pursued a terrified Debbie and Chas through the flooded pub cellar before he was electrocuted and died.

The tension was high as Tom tracked Belle down (Credit: ITV)

Belle and Tom’s axe-wielding confrontation

It’s hard to pick a moment from this ongoing tale, but just a few weeks ago, Belle lashed out and stuck an axe in Tom’s back – and who could blame her?! The moment when a frantic, screaming Belle was on one side of the door, with Tom smashing his way through, Jack Nicholson style, will go down in Emmerdale history!

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

15th October 2024
Review of the week: Childish antics, teenage angst, and tech troubles – put the lot of them in detention!

Our Emmerdale review this week was written in our lunch-break, just after double maths… of course, we’re kidding, but didn’t this week’s episodes feel like being back at school?!

After the brilliant, tense drama of Tom and Belle, this week we were served up something even less appetising than school dinners!

We love Heartstopper, and we love Waterloo Road, and that’s why if we wanted teen-style angst and drama we’d watch them instead.

Here’s the lowdown on why we think everyone needs detention in this week’s Emmerdale review.

Kim and Will were making each other jealous (Credit: ITV)

Will and Kim’s teenage games

Oh for heaven’s sake, what on earth is going on here? Kim and Will are very much old enough to know better than these ridiculous games they’re both playing. It is exhausting, frustrating and quite honestly, more than a little boring watching them try to get one up on each other and it’s taking us right back to the days of school discos, and ‘he said, she said’ gossip.

Making each other jealous, Will messing up Kim’s nice house, Kim packing Will’s bags – honestly, could they be any more childish?

We know that both Kim and Will are – how can we put this? – morally challenged. They’ll both go to great lengths to get what they want – and it’s a lot more fun seeing them do that together on a mutual enemy, than taking on each other.

Seriously?! (Credit: ITV)

If it was up to us, we’d send them off on a trip to Dubai or somewhere, and let them regroup and work things out off-screen, so we don’t have to see it. Then we’d welcome them home, tanned, relaxed and back together, ready to take on the baddies of Emmerdale.

Billy’s made some very bad choices (Credit: ITV)

Billy’s boring boxing battles

Meanwhile, behind the bike sheds, Billy’s hiding a huge secret. He’s been taking part in unlicensed boxing matches and getting himself battered in the process. And it’s funny because you’d think this would make Billy and Dawn more interesting, but it actually doesn’t. Probably because it’s all happened off-screen.

Anyway, all it’s done is make us a bit disappointed in Mack and John for being complicit in this whole thing and not telling Billy to grow up and get a proper job. Maybe next week we’ll see them both gathered round Billy shouting “fight, fight, fight!”

Is anything ever really gone forever? (Credit: ITV)

Technophobe Tom in our Emmerdale review

Tom King is apparently a whizz at installing secret cameras, but less clever when it comes to destroying technology. He smashed up the tablet that contains evidence against him with a rock, making it smoke – weird – and seemingly forgetting that nothing’s really gone forever these days.

We’re just hoping little Carl, who was watching his odd uncle out of the window, has been paying attention in computing lessons and knows more about finding files on the cloud than Tom does.

Laurel’s not a regular mum, she’s a cool mum (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale review:Â Sex education

OMG how cringe was Laurel’s chat with Arthur about sex? When she produced a pack of condoms so Arthur could explore his sexuality with older men, we wanted to cry! We were forced to watch the whole excruciating conversation through our fingers.

But when it comes to being a grown-up, Arthur’s been adulting way better than his neighbours this week! He even apologised to John. Very mature!

Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list 2024

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

12th October 2024
Classic Emmerdale spoilers: It’s the double wedding day but Bob’s still missing and Donna’s having doubts

Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 on Tuesday October 8 reveal it’s the day of the double wedding and after the grooms had a wobble it’s time for the brides to have second thoughts! These episodes originally aired on February 16 and 17 2006.

Donna’s got something to tell a shocked Marlon (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Donna’s doubts in Classic Emmerdale spoilers

It’s the day of the double wedding and it’s time for the brides to start struggling with their big commitment.

Bob’s still missing and Viv’s starting to think the wedding’s off, while Donna’s concerned she’s not been completely honest with Marlon. So she heads off to the Dingles’ cottage where she admits she’s had wobbles about marrying him since day one, and reveals that she was in love with Max King.

Luckily, Marlon’s in a forgiving mood!

Jean kidnaps Bob!

Meanwhile Jean picks Bob up for the wedding, but when he notices she’s driven past the turn-off for Emmerdale, she slams on the brakes, locks the doors, and demands he gives their relationship another try! She tells him she won’t let him out until he agrees to go to Spain with her.

Trapped in the car, Bob’s forced to wrestle his way out and leg it! But as Jean drives off, he realises he’s in the middle of nowhere!

Viv’s fuming as the wedding’s off in Classic Emmerdale

Back in the village, a distraught Viv has decided that the wedding’s off and trudges off to the bridge alone – she’s startled when Bob jumps out of a car and tells her he was abducted!

Viv’s not impressed. She chucks her bouquet at him and shoves him into the river!Â But as she turns to leave, Bob announces he disappeared because he’s been having his vasectomy reversed!

Moving on?

As the dust from the wedding settles, Viv’s sad that Donna will be moving out. She convinces her and Marlon to stay with her to save money.

Alice frets over Samson

At the Dingles’ place, everyone’s celebrating Samson’s homecoming, but Alice can’t relax. She’s worried the baby will stop breathing.

It’s a busy couple of days for Jean! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Shock for Dawn!

And there’s a shock for Dawn when she finds her mum in bed with her ex-husband Terry! Needing help in the cafe, she ropes in Jamie, who thinks the whole thing is hilarious – but Dawn’s much less impressed.

Betty’s on the case in Classic Emmerdale

Terence has been borrowing money from his dad Alan, saying it’s for his ex-wife. Betty’s sceptical, so she puts on her Miss Marple hat and calls Terence’s ex. But as soon as Betty mentions Terence’s name, his wife hangs up! What’s all that about?!

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

8th October 2024
The 12 best Emmerdale episodes – EVER! Crashes, deaths, weddings and bravery!

Emmerdale has had more than its fair share of brilliant episodes. So many in fact, that it’s hard to pick a favourite. So instead we picked 12 of the best! Here are what we think are the best episodes of Emmerdale, ever.

The plane crash transformed Emmerdale as a soap (Credit: ITV)

The plane crash 1993

Emmerdale’s plane crash may have happened more than 30 years ago, but it’s still legendary among soap fans. The Beckindale Air Disaster marked the beginning of a new era for Emmerdale in many ways -Â the renaming of the village from Beckindale to Emmerdale, the end of several storylines and the start of many more!

Four characters were killed – Mark Hughes, Elizabeth Pollard (Eric’s wife), Archie Brooks and Leonard Kempinski – while Chris Tate was badly injured and left unable to walk.

The storyline was quite controversial at the time because it came just five years after the real-life Lockerbie disaster. But it was a hit with viewers and it transformed Emmerdale from a quiet countryside soap into the must-see television it is today.

Kim came back from the dead and shocked Frank into a heart attack! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Kim leaves Frank to die 1997

Kim Tate‘s marriage to Frank was dead and buried by 1997. She had cheated on him with Dave Glover, and thought for a while that baby James was Dave’s, only to discover that Frank was his dad.

When Dave was killed in a fire, rescuing little James, Kim well and truly went off the rails! She hired a lookalike to drive her car round the village, so everyone thought she was still there, then ran off to the Caribbean. But tragedy struck when the lookalike crashed the car into the lake and died. Frank identified the body as Kim and was arrested for murder!

When Kim returned, the shock of seeing his ‘dead’ wife caused Frank to have a heart attack. Kim coldly watched him die, without going for help. And as he breathed his last she checked for signs of life with the mirror from her handbag – then reapplied her make-up and left him on the floor.

Sarah didn’t make it out of the barn fire (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Sarah Sugden dies in the barn fire 2000

The Sugdens were were struggling with money, and Sarah Sugden had been having a steamy secret affair with farmhand Richie.

Adopted son Andy was determined to help them out of their financial hole and he came up with the idea of burning down a barn so dad Jack could claim on the insurance.

But he didn’t know that Sarah and Richie were inside when he lit the match. Richie made it out, but Sarah died in the flames.

Tricia was rescued by Marlon but died in hospital (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Best Emmerdale episodes: Tricia’s death 2003/4

Another dramatic death! Tricia Dingle was super popular with the Emmerdale residents and viewers alike. But on New Year’s Eve 2003, she was outside when a huge storm hit the village.

Lightning struck the Woolpack and the chimney collapsed, burying poor Tricia. Husband Marlon found her and called for help but though Tricia made it to hospital, she later died of her injuries. SOB!

The live episode in 2012 featured two weddings, two births and a murder! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

The 40th anniversary live episode 2012

One of the best live episodes of a soap, ever! The live episode to celebrate Emmerdale’s 40th anniversary featured the weddings of Chas Dingle to Dan Spencer, and Katie Sugden to Declan Macey, and the births of Molly Sharma, and Jack Sugden Jr. AND a murder!

When Carl King tried to rape newly wed Chas she whacked him with a brick and believed she’d killed him. But actually Carl was finished off by future Dales serial killer Cameron Murray.

Cameron escaped from jail and held up the Woolpack at gunpoint (Credit: ITV)

The Woolpack siege 2013

Cameron’s killing spree that began with the live episode in 2012 came to an end a year later with a dramatic siege at the Woolpack. In one of the most tense episodes of soap ever, he held drinkers at gun point, shot Alicia Metcalfe and then pursued Chas and Debbie through the flooded pub cellar. Cameron was electrocuted and his murderous rampage in the Dales came to an end.

Emma pushed James from the road bridge and started a tragic chain of events (Credit: ITV)

The Hotten by-pass crash 2016

FIVE storylines came together in the thrilling crash that took place in October 2016. Emma Barton had been holding estranged husband James hostage in a Misery-style revenge plot.

When he escaped, she tracked him down to the road bridge – wearing her wedding dress, of course! – and shoved him off.

James plummeted on to the by-pass and on to a car driven by dementia-sufferer Ashley Thomas. Ashley’s car flipped and caused Pierce Harris to collide with a lorry, which then caused Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle‘s car to leave the road and plunge into a lake. Oh, and they just happened to have kidnapped Lachlan White and put him in the boot.

Just seconds later, Rhona and Paddy drove straight into the carnage and flipped their van as they tried to avoid it. It was one of the most impressive stunts in Emmerdale history!

Holly’s death was quietly devastating (Credit: ITV)

Best Emmerdale episodes: Holly Barton’s death 2016

Sometimes the best episodes are the huge stunts and sometimes it’s the quiet, devastating episodes that hit hardest. Holly Barton’s death from a drug overdose definitely fits the latter category.

Holly lay dead in bed, while mum Moira pottered around at home. And when she finally went to check on her daughter and found her dead, the shock was real. It’s almost a decade since Holly died, but her tragic demise still affects her family.

In 2018 Charity bravely faced her abuser in court (Credit: ITV)

Charity faces Bails in court 2018

Charity Dingle has been through a lot in her time in Emmerdale but perhaps the most heart-wrenching was when she finally faced her past. Charity revealed that she’d been sexually exploited by crooked cop DI Bails, and had a baby boy.

With the help of her new-found son, Ryan, she bravely faced her abuser in court in a very emotional episode.

Chas and Paddy said a sad goodbye to baby Grace (Credit: ITV)

Best Emmerdale episodes: Grace dies 2018

Chas and Paddy Dingle knew their baby Grace was going to die almost as soon as she was born, but that didn’t make the loss any easier. In a devastatingly sad episode, the new parents cuddled their little girl – who lived for just 29 minutes – as they imagined the future she might have had.

Meena was cold and remorseless as she killed Leanna (Credit: ITV)

Meena murders Leanna 2021

There’s very little we enjoy more than an Emmerdale serial killer and Meena Jutla was one of the best! Her utter lack of remorse as she stalked her prey made her super scary.

When birthday girl Leanna Cavanagh twigged that Meena wasn’t the caring nurse she pretended to be, Meena pursued her through the graveyard. The chase ended up on the bridge, where Meena pushed Leanna. When the fall didn’t kill the teenager, Meena climbed down and finished her off. It was brutal but gripping stuff.

Marlon was looking for the engagement ring he’d bought Rhona when he had his stroke (Credit: ITV)

Best Emmerdale episodes: Marlon’s stroke 2022

When Marlon proposed to a delighted Rhona, he rushed home to find the ring – only to suffer a stroke. Marlon’s experience as he lay helpless on the floor, waiting for help to come, was praised for raising stroke awareness. And his long recovery won actor Mark Charnock praise, too.

Read more: No one is a match for Queen Kim – here’s whyÂ

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

6th October 2024
Review of the week: Belle’s bravery, Tom’s amazing recovery and Liam’s dressing up

Our Emmerdale review this week is mostly just admiration – at Belle’s fearlessness, at Tom shrugging off an axe wound, at DS Foy’s interrogation techniques, and at Liam finding another fancy dress costume.

Here’s what we thought of this week’s episode in our Emmerdale review.

Belle’s bravery

We have to be honest, we were a bit disappointed when Belle went to see Tom in the hospital. Surely she wasn’t going to do as he asked, we thought. SURELY no matter how scared she was, she wouldn’t give in and make a deal?

But NO! We had underestimated the steely strength of Ms Dingle, who is most definitely down but not out. Belle brilliantly double-crossed evil Tom!

She dug up the murder weapon, marched into the police station with it, and announced she was a victim of domestic violence.

She’s got a long road ahead of her, but we are cheering her on.

Belle marched into the police station with the axe (Credit: ITV)

DS Foy as bad cop

HOW good is it to see someone giving Tom a hard time? We are LOVING DS Foy‘s obvious dislike and suspicion of Tom King. We’re so used to everyone being nice to Tom, or tiptoeing around him, it’s refreshing to see someone really asking him to account for his actions. More of this, please! We want to see him sweat!

Go on, DS Foy! Do your worst! (Credit: ITV)

Tom’s miraculous recovery

Speaking of Tom, we are once again amazed and impressed by the miraculous treatment Emmerdale residents receive at Hotten General. One minute they’re out cold having been stabbed in the back with an axe, or gored by a bull, or dragged from a burning barn, the next they’re FINE.

Just a couple of days after being whacked by Belle, Tom was wandering round the village with only an occasional twinge. Whatever they’re prescribing at that hospital, we’d like some!

One minute at death’s door, the next feeling strong enough to torment poor Belle some more (Credit: ITV)

Brilliant youngsters in our Emmerdale review

Hot on the heels of Isaac Dingle stealing every scene he’s in, comes little Carl Holliday – Jimmy King’s son. We’ve not seen him for yonks, but suddenly him helping himself to Tom’s tablet and then lending it to buddy Isaac, is an important plot twist. Young actors can be unpredictable, but Charlie Joyce, who plays Carl, knocked it out the park this week.

Handsome AND medically trained? What more could we ask for? (Except an answer to the whole Aidan Moore thing).

A John Sugden mystery

We thought that John being all quiet and prickly and brooding would be a bit irritating, but somehow it’s not. In fact, we love his extreme Sugden-ness. It’s like Jack has been reborn. We’re such fans, we don’t even care who Aidan Moore is or why John has his dog tag (actually, no, this is a lie – we do care).

WHO is Aidan Moore? (Credit: ITV)

No thanks to a love triangle in our Emmerdale review

Ella’s so sweet, and eager to please but now her secret’s out, and the dust has settled, it seems like the powers that be don’t know what to do with her. And absolutely the wrong thing to do with her is to stick her back with Liam, in some weird off-screen romance that we’ve only just found out about.

Liam is lovely – we adore him – but let’s be honest, he is an old dog who’s been round the village and back again. He’s too jaded for Ella – but he’s perfect for Chas, who’s a bit jaded herself. And the thought of another love triangle involving Liam in fancy dress makes us feel a bit jaded too. Please make it stop.

Read more: Liam’s love life – and who he should really be with

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

5th October 2024
Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale: From troubled kid to bolshy adult – everything we know about him including original actor Danny Webb and his famous family connections

Aaron Dingle has been through a LOT in his time in Emmerdale. He’s been involved in scams, schemes, romances, stunts, and heart-wrenching drama over the years.

And of course he was one half of Robron – possibly soap’s most popular ever couple!

Here’s everything you need to know about Aaron Dingle.

Aaron Dingle is at the centre of a lot of drama! (Credit: ITV)

Aaron’s family

Aaron’s parents are Gordon Livesey and Chas Dingle. Aaron grew up living with his dad. He also had a half-sister, Liv Flaherty, who grew up living with her mum, Sandra.

Aaron’s arrival in Emmerdale

Aaron wasn’t a permanent character at first. He was living with his dad, Gordon, and occasionally visited his mum, Chas. But he and Chas had a rocky relationship, and he blamed her for abandoning him.

Between 2003 and 2006, Aaron appeared in the village now and then, always causing trouble! He even managed to break up his mum and Carl King when he told her Carl had slept with her cousin Delilah.

Danny Webb played Aaron as a youngster

Return to Emmerdale

Aaron’s drama continued in 2008, when he was arrested by policeman Ross Kirk for drug possession. It turned out, he’d been working as a courier for dodgy local family the Macfarlanes.

He stayed in the village, and got up to all sorts, including sleeping with Victoria Sugden, causing trouble between his mum and her boyfriend Paddy Kirk, and blackmailing Holly Barton.

Aaron’s sexuality

Aaron tried to kiss his best friend Adam Barton, but he was still in denial about his sexuality and he was soon in a relationship with Holly.

When Adam found out, he told his family that he thought Aaron was gay. He assured his friend that he didn’t care about his sexuality but didn’t want him using his sister.

Aaron broke up with Holly and started going to a gay bar where he met Jackson Walsh.

Paddy was worried about Aaron sneaking around and thought he was back drug dealing, but instead he uncovered Aaron’s secret. Aaron beat Paddy up! As he wrestled with his sexuality he often turned to violence.

Eventually, though, he accepted he was gay and started a relationship with Jackson.

Aaron and Jackson met in a bar (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Jackson’s death

When Jackson was paralysed from the shoulders down in an accident, Aaron helped support him.

But Jackson wasn’t happy with his life as it was, and decided he wanted to end it. With the support of his mum Hazel and Aaron, he took pills to end his life.

Robert and Aaron are one of soap’s most popular couples (Credit: ITV)

Robron

When Aaron met Robert, the sparks flew! Though Robert was engaged to Chrissie White, he and Aaron began an affair.

The pair went to great lengths to conceal their romance, including Robert shoving Katie Sugden and leaving her to die when she fell through the floor.

Robert and Aaron split, and Robert married Chrissie, but Robron couldn’t stay apart and soon the affair was back on.

It was just the beginning of the drama though which included Robert being shot and Aaron going to jail.

Robron were torn apart when Robert went to prison (Credit: ITV)

Marriage!

Among the drama of the Hotton by-pass crash, Aaron and Robert got engaged. Of course nothing was simple and after more prison time for Aaron, a brief drug addiction, and Robert getting his sister-in-law Rebecca White pregnant, they finally made it down the aisle.

Robron split for good when Robert attacked sister Victoria’s rapist Lee Posner and he died. Robert was sent to jail.

Liv and Aaron met during Gordon’s trial (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Aaron’s abuse

When Aaron and Robert were settled, Aaron opened up and told Robert that he’d suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his dad Gordon.

He bravely faced up to his childhood trauma, and reported his father to the police.

Gordon was charged and went to court where Aaron gave evidence against him. When Gordon was sent to jail, Aaron changed his name to Dingle. His dad was later found dead in his cell.

Aaron and Liv

When Aaron was coming to terms with what Gordon had done, he met his younger half-sister, Liv. She and Aaron hit it off and she came to live in the village.

Liv was just as troubled as Aaron but the siblings came to rely on one another and be a good support in tough times.

In 2022, during the storm, Liv was tragically killed. Aaron blamed his mum for his sister’s death and left the village.

Aaron and John are having a steamy romance (Credit: ITV)

John Sugden

Aaron returned to Emmerdale late last year and now he’s enjoying a steamy romance with John Sugden, the half-brother of his ex-husband, Robert.

We’re fairly sure there’s more drama to come!

Who plays Aaron Dingle?

Aaron was originally played by Danny Webb. He appeared in 19 episodes.

Danny comes from a soapy family! His sister is Charley Webb, better known as Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale, and their brother is Jamie Lomas – AKA Warren Fox in Hollyoaks.

Danny Miller took on the role in 2008. He’s also from a showbiz family. His dad, Vince Miller, is a popular entertainer in Manchester.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

3rd October 2024
Moira Dingle: Murder, affairs, deaths, and a brain tumour!

Moira Dingle in Emmerdale is the feisty, fiery, fierce farmer who’s come through the loss of her husband and her daughter, killed a love rival, and managed to tame Cain Dingle!

Here’s her story.

Moira’s arrival in Emmerdale

Moira Barton came to Emmerdale with her family – husband John and children Adam, Holly and Hannah (now Matty).

The farming clan had taken over Butler’s, though Moira took a job as a barmaid at the Woolpack. Chef Marlon even developed a bit of a crush on Moira, but she firmly told him nothing would happen!

Moira and John came to the village with their children (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

John and Moira in Emmerdale

Moira and John’s marriage became strained when he snogged the face off Eve Jenson – that’ll do it!

But Moira got her own back – and then some – when she started a torrid affair with Cain Dingle. Cain taunted John about their affair and he threw Moira out!

Eventually, John and Moira began to reconcile. They planned a night in a hotel but on the way there, John crashed his car and he died. Moira was devastated.

Coira

After grieving for John, Moira rekindled her romance with Cain. But their domestic bliss suffered when her brother-in-law James Barton arrived in the village with his sons Pete, Ross and Finn.

Cain and Moira tied the knot but Moira was hiding a secret – that she’d slept with James nine months before son Adam was born. Awks. It turned out James was indeed Adam’s dad.

Cain and Moira had a steamy affair! (ITV/Shutterstock)

Holly’s death

Meanwhile, Holly’s drug addiction was worsening and causing problems for Cain and Moira. In fact, things got to the point of no return and eventually they split for good.

As Moira was beginning to get her life back on track, tragedy struck. Holly overdosed and died. Cain was there to support Moira through that death, and the death of James just a short while later.

Murder!

Sister-in-law from hell Emma Barton had been increasingly unstable since she killed her estranged husband James. And it all came to a head in October 2017.

Emma and Moira ended up in a tussle in a barn – the one Moira was remembering when she was in a similar situation with Ruby recently.

That time, though, there was an added bit of drama – Moira was in labour, even though she hadn’t known she was pregnant! She gave birth to Isaac that same night.

Emma snatched the newborn baby though he was found in the church later.

Later, Emma was found dead having fallen – or been pushed – from Hotten viaduct. It turned out Moira was the one to blame. She’d shoved Emma when she taunted her over Holly’s death.

Adam on the run

Moira’s son Adam took the blame for his mum even though she tried to confess.

He was arrested, but Moira and Cain broke him out of his prison van and he legged it!

Cain found out Moira had been sleeping with Nate (Credit: ITV)

Affair with Nate!

Cain and Moira reconciled but she was soon having her head turned by handsome farmhand Nate Robinson and she embarked on a steamy affair with him.

As it turned out, though, Nate was actually Cain’s long-lost son who wanted revenge on his dad. The whole thing exploded – literally – in a dramatic confrontation on a burning boat.

Moira turned to drink in the aftermath, and she and Cain split again.

Eventually though she kicked her booze habit and the pair got back together.

Moira is waiting for surgery on her tumour (Credit: ITV)

Brain tumour

Now, poor Moira is struggling with her brain tumour diagnosis. She needs surgery on the tumour and is desperately scared about what the future could hold.

More drama, we reckon!

Who plays Moira Dingle in Emmerdale?

Moira is played by Natalie J Robb. She’s been acting since she was 9 years old. She spent three years in Doctors playing Jude Carlyle and had roles in EastEnders, Take the High Road, Waterloo Road, and The Bill before she joined Emmerdale.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

Visit our Facebook pageÂ @emmerdaleinsiderÂ for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on TwitterÂ @emmerdaleinside

2nd October 2024