2024 has seen the tragic deaths of six characters in Emmerdale. While some of these unlucky souls had only been in the soap a short while, others were long-standing residents of the village.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the Dales as the residents recently gathered for the funeral of Dingle patriarch Zak. And we’re still getting over the shock (and horror) of discovering the young and vivacious Rebecca White has slipped off the mortal coil.
Here’s a full list of everyone we’ve said a final goodbye to this year.
Emmerdale deaths in 2024: Ethan Anderson
Emmerdale viewers tuning in on May 28, 2024 got an unexpected shock when Ethan Anderson suddenly dropped down dead. The vicar’s son’s untimely passing had not been announced prior to transmission, but looking back the clues were all there.
Weeks earlier, Ethan had foolishly got behind the wheel of a car while over the limit. Enroute, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed, causing his passenger Nicky Miligan serious injuries. Ethan then dragged Nicky out of the car and fled the scene, while his friend was left in a coma.
When Nicky’s mum Ruby discovered the truth she targeted Ethan in a revenge attack. She ran the former lawyer down in scenes that were aired during the soap’s milestone Emmerdale’s 10,000th episode. Ethan was hurt, but refused hospital treatment and owned up to the drink driving incident.
On the day of his death, Ethan was due in court to face charges of dangerous driving. But he never made it that far after collapsing following a chat with dad Charles. He was taken to hospital, but there was nothing anyone could do. He’d gone.
Heartbroken Charles was convinced his son had died as a result of being run over, but an autopsy later confirmed Ethan had been killed by a hereditary brain aneurysm.
Helen Fox
September saw the arrival and departure of Ruby Fox Miligan‘s estranged mum, Helen – who was killed off after just two episodes! The character was played by iconic actress Sharon Maughan.
Helen had been absent from her daughter’s life since she husband Anthony turfed Ruby out when she was a pregnant teen. But 30 years later, Helen had learnt she was terminally ill and wanted to make amends.
She contacted Ruby, but Caleb intercepted the call. He paid Helen a secret visit in hospital and blackmailed her into transferring £100k in exchange for him getting Ruby to see her. Helen coughed up the cash, but Caleb didn’t tell Ruby about their meeting.
The next day, Ruby was called by a nurse, who alerted her to Helen’s declining health. By the time she got to the hospital Helen had died. The pair never got their chance to make their peace and Ruby was devastated to learn Caleb had kept her mum from her.
Helen’s death paved the way for the arrival of Ruby’s father Anthony and daughter Steph, but we think Emmerdale missed a trick by not keeping her in for longer. Imagine the showdowns!
Emmerdale deaths in 2024: Pearl Ladderbanks
Pearl’s death did not happen on-screen, but fans still mourned the passing of the much-loved local.
Glamorous granny Pearl was a staple of village life between 2003 and 2019. She was married to fellow OAP Len Reynolds and frenemies with god-fearing Edna Birch.
Wherever Pearl went trouble often followed. She got conned into investing in a get-rich-quick scheme and ran up a huge debt borrowing money from Eric Pollard. She also had a spell being a gambling addict, and even faked having Alzheimer’s to excuse her behaviour.
In 2019, it was announced actress Meg Johnson was taking an extended break from the soap due to ill health. Pearl’s absence was explained to viewers that she’d moved to a static caravan in Demdyke, then joined her grandson Owen in Hong Kong.
Meg Johnson died on July 1, 2023 aged 86. Her family released a statement saying she’d been battling dementia. Emmerdale also paid tribute to the star saying she would be ‘greatly missed by everyone who knew her’.
Earlier this year, Owen contacted Pearl’s former boss Rhona Goskirk to let her know his grandmother had died.
June Phillips
June was an elderly lady who was visited by Ella Forster back in May 2024. Suffering from dementia, June was living in a care home, and had no recollection of Ella. A day after their meeting, Ella returned to see June but was told by the care home receptionist she’d died from a suspected heart attack.
Viewers were already aware Ella was harbouring a dark secret from her past and it was clear June was connected in some way. The truth finally came out at the old lady’s funeral when it was revealed Ella was the childhood friend of June’s daughter, Joanne Phillips.
Ella had unintentionally murdered Joanne in a jealous outburst on the day of her 11th birthday in 2005, and served time in prison for the crime.
The revelation sent shockwaves around the village, but poor June was never mentioned after that. So less of a memorable character, and more of a plot device.
Emmerdale deaths in 2024: Rebecca White
Rebecca White’s death was another one that left us all shook.
When Ross Barton returned to the village in the autumn, we assumed his girlfriend Rebecca wouldn’t be far behind. But no. According to Ross, Rebecca is no more.
During a catch up with ex Charity, Ross dropped the bombshell that Rebecca’s heart stopped during a routine medical procedure and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. He explained he and Rebecca were no longer a couple, but had remained amicable for Seb’s sake. The poor lad had been in Ross’s care when the tragedy happened, but was taken away a week later to live with an aunt of Rebecca’s in Bristol.
Rebecca was introduced to the village in 2016 as the sassy younger sister of Chrissie, and immediately put the cat amongst the pigeons. She had a one-night stand with Robert Sugden, the product of which was little Seb. She also survived an attempt on her life by twisted nephew Lachlan.
All in all Bex was a great character and someone we wouldn’t have been sad to see return. Killing her off has killed that opportunity.
Zak Dingle
The saddest goodbye of the year was the one we had to say to the one and only Zak Dingle.
Following actor Steve Halliwell‘s death in December 2023, the Emmerdale writers came up with a fitting end for the character he’d played for over 28 years.
After news came from Scotland of the Dingle patriarch’s passing, Cain and Sam travelled up there to bring their dad’s body home to Emmerdale. Following Zak’s wish to be buried in Dingle land within 48 hours, the family escorted his coffin to The Woolpack for one last pint. Zak was then drummed up the road on his final journey.
Proceedings were almost derailed by Tina Dingle’s rowdy arrival and Cain being too choked up to deliver his speech. But in the end Zak was laid to rest along with the ashes of his late wife Lisa.
Will Taylor
On Christmas Day there was devastation at Home Farm as Will Taylor suffered a heart attack. He and Kim Tate had just renewed their wedding vows, but then Joe Tate arrived and exposed the fact Will had been plotting with him and Peter to bring Kim down. It was poor timing as Will had actually changed his mind and decided he did love Kim and tried to call the plan off.
But Kim didn’t believe him and left him clutching his chest as he began to suffer pains. In a brilliant throwback to the death of Frank Tate, Kim powdered her nose!
However, when she realised it was for real, she sprang into action, and tried to give Will CPR. Sadly it was no use and Will was pronounced dead. The fallout from his death is set to be huge with both Joe and Kim coming under suspicion for his murder. However, some fans are convinced Will’s not really dead and it’s just an elaborate plot…
Read more: A history of Wishing Well CottageÂ
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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