Sam Dingle is a key member of the notorious Dingle family in Emmerdale. He’s the half-brother of Cain and Belle, as well as father of Samson and grandfather to Esther.
Sam’s no stranger to trouble, but he’s also been through his fair share of heartbreak over the years.
Here’s Sam’s story…
Sam’s arrival in Emmerdale
Back in February 1995, Sam Dingle – son of Zak and Nellie – arrived in Emmerdale after being released from a young offenders institute.
He soon got involved in plenty of trouble, from pretending to be Robert Sugden’s kidnapper to helping to terrorise Luke McAllister after Ben Dingle’s death.
As do many Dingles, Sam got involved with several dodgy schemes including an armed robbery with his uncle Albert. Sam did wind up in jail again, going on to be released in 2000.
Sam is the half-brother of Cain Dingle (Credit: ITV)
Relationship with brother Cain
After his stint in prison, Sam returned to Emmerdale and soon found out that Cain was his half-brother. There was plenty of tension between the two siblings, with Cain bullying Sam.
The duo’s relationship has been tricky over the years but they remain close. Despite their differences, Cain and Sam have most recently come together to support each other ahead of their father Zak’s death.
Alice sadly died of cancer (Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (673490oq))
Sam and Alice
In 2005, Sam fell in love with Alice Wilson. The pair began a relationship and soon exited Emmerdale to start life on their own farm in Norfolk, but later returned when Alice found out she was pregnant.
Despite Sam having doubts about becoming a father, Alice gave birth to son Samson in 2006. While pregnant, she found out she had cancer and once she’d given birth she began treatment. However, Alice discovered her cancer was terminal after marrying Sam.
Eventually, Sam helped Alice end her own life. The Dingles supported him and helped him hide Alice’s death from the police.
Trouble at Butler’s Farm
Having become a single dad, Sam struggled to make ends meet while looking after Samson. He later began working at Butler’s Farm, but plenty of trouble ensued during his time there.
He grew close to Jo Stiles and soon fell in love with her, yet she did not feel the same. Jo’s husband Andy did not take kindly to Sam trying to get close to Jo, and he beat them both up. Jo and Andy’s marriage eventually ended and Sam moved on from Jo.
Sam and Rachel weren’t endgame (Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (8965775hj))
Failed romances
Jo wasn’t Sam’s only failed romance. He has had a tendency to fall in love with women who do not feel the same way about him in Emmerdale.
In 2009, he found Olena Petrovich, an illegal immigrant from Ukraine, hiding in the Dingles’ barn. Sam proceeded to help Olena get back on her feet and it wasn’t long until he developed feelings for her. However, she did not feel the same and eventually Olena began pursuing Eli Dingle, much to Sam’s devastation.
Following this, grew close to Rachel Breckle and the pair began dating. Sam and Rachel lived together and even got engaged. After Charity Dingle found out Rachel had slept with Jai Sharma, Rachel was forced to flee the village as Charity wanted revenge, leaving poor Sam devastated once again.
Sam then fell for Megan Macey as the pair grew close. He was by her side when she went into labour and the pair shared a kiss, but Megan admitted she could only see him as a friend. Cue more heartbreak for Sam!
Sam married Lydia in 2020 (Credit: ITV)
Sam and Lydia’s love
In 2017, Sam’s luck finally changed. He was asked out by Lydia Hart and despite their initial struggles to connect, romance eventually blossomed and Samson even gave Lydia and Sam his blessing.
Sam and Lydia had a few minor setbacks but in 2020 they tied the knot, and their relationship has been solid ever since.
Becoming a grandfather
In October 2022, Sam became a grandfather for the first time. Samson welcomed a daughter, Esther, with Amelia Spencer.
Initially, Sam was stunned by the news but eventually he encouraged Samson to step and be a father to Esther. Sam and Lydia are doting grandparents to baby Esther and share a good relationship with Amelia.
Samson is currently in prison (Credit: ITV)
Samson’s arrest
Sam is currently living without Samson for the first time, as his son was unfortunately arrested after a difficult few months earlier this year. Having been involved in Matty Barton’s stabbing and following a clash with his ‘friend’ Josh, Samson wound up in prison.
Who plays Sam Dingle?
Sam Dingle is portrayed by James Hooton in Emmerdale. James, 51, has played the role of Sam since 1995 after appearing in programmes such as Peak Practice, The Bill, Heartbeat and Touching Evil.
He had a small break from Emmerdale in the 1990s, but returned in 2000 and has been a regular on the soap ever since.
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 page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
When you think of Emmerdale, you think of Eric Pollard and his family. As the longest-serving character in the soap, Eric has been a resident of the village for nearly 40 years.
He arrived in the Dales on September 30, 1986, and quickly made his mark as a villainous schemer.
Over the years, Eric’s family have entered the picture. To date, Eric has been married five times. His fifth wife, and one true love Valerie Pollard, left him a widower after she died in 2015.
Eric’s son, David Metcalfe, also spent 17 years in the Dales, and gave Eric his two grandchildren, Amba and Theo.
Here’s all you need to know about the Pollard clan.
Eric Pollard is loved by millions (Credit: ITV)
Eric Pollard – head of the family in Emmerdale
The Pollard family is headed by the one and only, Mr Eric Pollard. The village veteran is played by Chris Chittell, who’s the longest-serving actor on Emmerdale.
Eric was introduced to the soap in 1986 and was only meant to stay for 12 episodes. However, his immoral antics were an instant hit with viewers and he was soon made a permanent character.
From the off, Eric made himself unpopular with the locals. The sly and cunning schemer was always up to no good, whether it was committing theft, fraud, or even bigamy!
Eric has always had a taste for alcohol and an eye for the ladies. He’s had five marriages, and plenty of flings in between. One of these resulted in his son David, who was born in 1981. Eric knew nothing of David’s existence until he rocked up in the village in 2006.
The pair made up for lost time and grew close. Whilst far from a model parent, Eric has proved himself to have a paternal instinct. As well as being there for David, he and wife number five, Val, took in wayward teen Amy Wyatt (now Barton).
Time has mellowed Eric, that and his ailing health. In 2023, Eric was dealt a shattering blow when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Thankfully, there’s still life in the old dog yet, and Eric is being supported by his friends and neighbours.
David Metcalfe – the son of Eric Pollard
David Metcalfe is the son of Eric Pollard, father to Amba and Theo Metcalfe, and stepfather to Jacob Gallagher.
He was the product of an affair between Eric and a lady called Lydia. Eric had walked out on Lydia when she was pregnant, but didn’t know about David’s existence. When David revealed his true identity, Eric demanded he take a DNA test. This confirmed he was his son.
David settled in the Dales and went on to open David’s Shop, which is located in the heart of the village. Much like his father, David was a ladies’ man. The David Beckham doppelganger’s conquests included Delilah Dingle, Jasmine Thomas, Nicola King (before she was married to Jimmy) and Leyla Harding.
David was married three times. Twice to Leyla’s sister Alica Harding, and once to Tracy Shankley, who supported him through his battle against testicular cancer in 2015.
He has three children. His stepson, Jacob came into David’s life in 2010 after he started dating his biological mum, Leyla.
His daughter Amba was conceived during a fling with her mum, Priya Sharma. And David’s son Theo is the product of his ill-fated romance with schoolteacher Maya Stepney.
Maya was sent to prison for grooming Jacob, and baby Theo arrived on the doorstep on Christmas Day 2019. The paternity of the tot was in question, but a DNA test confirmed David was the daddy.
David started an on/off relationship with Victoria Sugden, but was heartbroken to discover she’d fallen for Jacob. Devastated by the betrayal, David quit the village in November 2023, taking Amba and Theo with him.
The Pollard family in Emmerdale: Eric’s wives
Eric’s first – and secret – wife, Eileen (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Eileen Pollock
Eileen Pollock was Eric’s first wife. They married in 1964 and had already split by the time Eric came to Emmerdale. She appeared in seven episodes of the soap in 1994 and was played by actress Arbel Jones.
During their time together, Eileen and Eric had had a son, Edward, who was tragically stillborn. Eric and Eileen parted ways a few years after Edward’s passing but never actually divorced. Eric then changed his surname to Pollard in a deliberate move to stop Eileen from finding him.
However, Eileen discovered Eric’s whereabouts after reading about the death of his new wife, Elizabeth Feldmann, in the plane crash of December 1993.
In March 1994, Eileen turned up in the village. She threatened to expose Eric as a bigamist unless he paid her off. Eileen got what she wanted and left the village, never to be seen again.
Tragedy struck for Pollard with second wife, Elizabeth (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Elizabeth Pollard
Elizabeth Pollard (nee Jeffries) was the second wife of Eric. She came to the village in 1990 along with her two children from a previous marriage – Michael and Elsa.
A love triangle formed between Elizabeth, Eric and Alan Turner, but it was Pollard who won her heart. The couple became husband and wife in October 1992, but Elizabeth had no idea that Eric was still married to Eileen.
Elizabeth thought she was the woman who could tame Eric. But she then found out he was planning to commit fraud and frame her son for the crime. She threatened to report Eric to the police, but didn’t get the chance after being killed when an airliner exploded over the village.
Speculation was rife amongst the locals that Eric had murdered his wife. It was concluded in 2011 Elizabeth had died after being struck by falling debris.
Eric and Dee got hitched after meeting on holiday (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Dee de la Cruz
Diwata Margharita ‘Dee’ de la Cruz (previously Pollard) was the third wife of Eric Pollard. The couple met when Eric made a trip to the Far East in 1997 and ended up falling for Filipino student Dee.
Following a whirlwind romance, Eric popped the question and then Dee followed him back to the village. Their unlikely courtship raised a few eyebrows amongst the locals, but it seemed like the real deal when Eric and Dee married in May 1997.
Their union didn’t last long due to Eric’s possessive behaviour. When a letter arrived saying Dee’s mother was ill, Eric thought it was a scam to get money out of him. He hid the letter, preventing Dee from getting the chance to see her mother – who died shortly afterwards.
When Dee discovered what Eric had done she left him and the Dales. Their marriage was annulled.
Gloria betrayed Eric and left him high and dry (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Gloria Weaver
Eric’s fourth wife was veterinary surgery receptionist Gloria Weaver. She was introduced to Emmerdale in May 2000 as a member of Reverend Ashley Thomas’s congregation. Gloria disapproved of Ashley’s relationship with Bernice Blackstock and was very vocal in making it known.
Eric and Gloria became involved when he purchased some of her old antiques and the pair hit it off. After their marriage in 2002, Gloria set her sights on a career in politics.
Her ruthless nature became apparent when she told Eric to bed fellow councillor Glynis Hardy to increase his chances of becoming mayor.
Eric did as he was told and was duly elected, but when his dalliance with Glynis became public knowledge, Gloria refused to stand by her man.
She stood for election and won her own seat, then relocated to London and began an affair with her young male colleague.
Gloria was caught out by Steph Stokes and forced to tell Eric she’d been unfaithful. He responded by throwing her out on the street. As a final act of revenge, Gloria faked her own death and went off to start a new life elsewhere.
Val was really the true love of Pollard in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Val Lambert
The love of Eric’s life was his fifth wife, the late Valerie ‘Val’ Pollard (nee Lambert), played by Charlie Hardwick.
Val was an irrepressible force – outspoken, opinionated, with a huge lust for life and tendency for troublemaking. She was the younger sister of Diane Sugden and mother of Paul and Sharon Lambert.
Eric more than met his match in Val and their chemistry was an instant hit with the viewers. The couple set up their own fabrics company, but their relationship ran into trouble when Eric started putting his political career ahead of Val.
They reconciled, married in 2008 and purchased The Grange B&B. Two years on, Val and Eric took on teenage tearaway Amy Wyatt.
The Pollards’ marriage hit the rocks not long after and Val fled to Portugal. She returned with a little more than a suntan after finding out she’d contracted HIV from her holiday fling, Ian Chamberlain.
Val’s diagnosis caused her and Eric to split up for a while, but they found their way back to one another and soon started cooking up new scams.
In 2015, Val planned to fake her own death after she helped Carly Hope and her dad Bob commit fraud. The idea was for Val to ‘die’ to avoid going to prison, then she and Eric could start a new life abroad together.
Unfortunately Val never got that far when she was one of the villagers killed off in the Summer Fete storyline of August 2015.
Val met her maker in the Hall of Mirrors after being impaled by a shard of glass – a gloriously gothic exit for her character. She rose from the dead a few days later, appearing as a ghost to bid a final farewell to Eric.
The Pollard family in Emmerdale: Eric’s grandchildren
Jacob betrayed dad David, but Pollard forgave him (Credit: ITV)
Jacob Gallagher
Although not biologically Eric’s grandson, for all intents and purposes these two are close family. Jacob, played by Joe-Warren Plant is the adopted son of David and calls Pollard grandad.
Eric has been by Jacob’s side supporting him through lives ups and downs – including his affair with teacher Maya Stepney. Although Pollard and Jacob fell out when the young Gallagher started dating Victoria Sugden, they have reconciled.
Jacob is now supporting Eric through his Parkinson’s diagnosis and is there for his grandad every step of the way.
Priya and David’s daughter Amba (Credit: ITV)
Amba Metcalfe
Amba Metcalfe is David Metcalfe’s daughter from his relationship with Priya Kotecha and Eric Pollard’s granddaughter. The character was played by Ava Jayasinghe.
She was born in May 2014 on the back seat of a car after Priya went into labour six weeks early. Amba was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with sepsis, but thankfully made a full recovery.
The youngster left the Dales in January 2023 when Priya accepted a job offer in London. Dad David went to join the family when he departed the village in November 2023.
Little Theo in Emmerdale was fortunately not hurt by killer Meena (Credit: ITV)
Theo Metcalfe
Theodore Eric ‘Theo’ Metcalfe is the son David fathered with his ex-girlfriend Maya Stepney. He’s the half-brother of Amba Metcalfe and Eric Pollard’s grandson.
Maya gave birth to Theo in November 2019 and gave him the name, Alex. On Christmas Day she abandoned her baby son on David’s doorstep with a note asking to look after him. Theo now lives with David full time.
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 page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Carl King in Emmerdale is about to get his first major role as he becomes embroiled in cousin Tom King’s abuse of Belle Dingle.
But there appears to be some confusion between young Carl King and old Carl King. Because Tom’s evil dad was also called Carl and he is dead.
So as spoilers reveal Carl witnesses Tom destroying evidence on Monday October 7, no, Carl King Senior has not come back from the dead. It is in fact Carl King Jnr.
Still confused? We’ve got you! Here’s everything we know about Carl King Jnr.
Nicola helped Juliette give birth to Jimmy’s accidental baby Carl (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Carl Holliday’s parents in Emmerdale
Despite being Jimmy King’s son, Carl is actually a Holliday. His mum is Juliette Holliday and Carl was born after a mix-up at a fertility clinic.
Juliette had been impregnated with Jimmy’s sperm instead of her chosen donor’s. She arrived in Emmerdale in 2014 asking Jimmy to sign paperwork to waive his rights to the unborn child. But then she went into labour at Jimmy’s and gave birth to a baby boy assisted by Nicola.
Juliette named their son Carl, having no idea it was the same name as one of Jimmy’s dead brothers.
Jimmy was granted access to baby Carl, but then Juliette’s estranged husband Greg came back to her and wanted to be a family. Juliette told Jimmy he could have no more contact and upset Nicola took the baby and ran away. Jimmy brought them home and Juliette agreed not to press charges before leaving with her husband and son.
The King family were happy together and Nicola even enjoyed raising Carl (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Juliette and Carl return
By 2015, Juliette was back in the village. Greg had left her again and she was struggling to be a single mum. By January 2016 she decided she couldn’t copy any more and left Carl with Jimmy while she got her life back together.
By February it was clear Juliette wasn’t returning so Jimmy called her to get parental rights put in place. She agreed and Nicola was worried about her, so gave her some food before she left to ensure she was looking after herself. See, Nicola does have a heart!
That was the last we saw of Juliette for some years and little Carl settled into life with Nicola and Jimmy.
Juliette Holliday meant business when she returned to Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Juliette comes back for Carl in Emmerdale
In 2021, Juliette had decided she’d got her life together and wanted her son back. She rented a flat nearby and started the process of getting custody of Carl again. Jimmy and Nicola were devastated, but argued over how best to proceed.
Juliette proved she was serious when she set out to sabotage their business so they’d have no money for a solicitor. Tensions were at an all-time high between Jimmy and Nicola so Juliette pounced and asked for Carl to stay with her more often. However, secretly she had hired a private investigator to get all the dirt on the couple so she could use it against them.
But by August 2021, things changed dramatically. Juliette announced she was moving to New York – and she wasn’t taking Carl with her. Apparently her new boyfriend Allister didn’t like children and Juliette still didn’t like being a mother.
Carl remained in Jimmy and Nicola’s care and is fully part of the family now.
Who plays Carl in Emmerdale?
Carl is played by Charlie Joyce who took over the role from Dexter Ansell in 2016. Charlie is 10 years old, the same as his alter ego, Carl.
Carl has Tom’s tablet (Credit: ITV)
Carl’s next storyline
In Emmerdale next week, Tom King is desperate to get his hands on his missing tablet. It contains vital evidence that could prove Belle’s claims of his coercive behaviour.
Carl had the tablet, but it was pinched off him by Isaac Dingle. Moira got her hands on it and saw the incriminating video footage, rushing to show Belle. Unfortunately, she had a seizure on her way and has forgotten everything.
The tablet now sits on a shelf in Butlers with no one paying any attention to it. But Tom wants it back and when he finds out from Carl Isaac has it, he gets into the farm to find it.
And he does get his hands on it before smashing it to smithereens and destroying the evidence. However, Carl has seen everything.
Will Carl now be the key to bringing Tom down? Can he help Belle get justice at last?
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 page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Emmerdale Post Mistress and resident gossip Viv Hope has long-since been remembered by fans despite her untimely demise in a fire. In fact, her legs still feature in the opening credits 13 years after she died!
As she takes centre stage with her double wedding in Classic episodes currently, here’s the lowdown on Viv.
Viv and Vic Windsor and their kids arrive in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Viv and Vic Windsor in Emmerdale
Iconic Viv Windsor arrived in what was then Beckindale in 1993. She and her husband Vic, plus her son Scott, his daughter Kelly and their daughter together, Donna, bought the Post Office after deciding to leave London due to increasing crime rates.
Not long after the family moved, Viv’s ex-husband, Reg Dawson, father of Scott, turned up having been released from prison. He immediately took Viv and a woman called Shirley Turner hostage. He tried to shoot Viv, but Shirley was hit and killed instead. Reg was then shot by police and he died. He left £30k to Viv in his will as long as she divorced Vic, but she turned the money down and stayed with her husband.
Viv and Vic did split up for a while in 1995 when she had an affair with Terry Woods, but she went back to him for the sake of the kids. Things eventually got better for Viv and Vic, but then tragedy struck. He was shot and killed during a robbery at the Post Office on Christmas Day, 1998.
A whirlwind romance with Bob Hope swept Viv off her feet (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Viv and Bob Hope
After a turbulent few years, during which she fell out with stepdaughter Kelly and son Scott, Viv was swept off her feet by Bob Hope, a tights salesman in 2000! He very quickly moved in with her and they married in 2001.
However, they were rocked by the revelation Bob had another wife, Barbara. They got past it, but cracks were starting to show and they eventually divorced. She moved on, seducing Paddy Kirk, which resulted in the end of his marriage to Emily.
Bob wanted all of his children to attend the wedding and Viv contacted them. She became upset to discover he had kids with all of his ex-wives, but not her. He disappointed Viv when he told her kids were off the cards due to his vasectomy.
But the night before the wedding, he had the op reversed and spent the night in a hotel. Viv had no idea and when he didn’t turn up, assumed he’d jilted her. In fact, ex-wife Jean had taken him hostage in the hotel room and was begging him to get back with her. Bob managed to get away and he and Viv married for a second time.
Bob’s daughter Dawn was then killed in an explosion at a show home, thanks to the Kings. On the day of her funeral, Viv discovered she was pregnant with twins Cathy and Heath, who arrived on February 9, 2007.
After she began raising money for children’s charities, Viv got into a trouble when she gave the money to a man named Freddy Yorke who took it and ran away. When Viv admitted she was moving money around she ended up implicating herself. She was charged with conspiracy to defraud.
Although she attempted to clear her name, Freddy threatened her children’s lives and then planted stolen money on her, which only served to make matters worse. Viv pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.
She refused to let Bob visit, but determined to stand by his wife, Bob devised several plans to get into the prison. Viv eventually wrote to him in 2009 and asked him to come and see her, but he felt things were over, so decided to have sex with Gennie Walker instead!
It turned out Viv was actually being released and when she turned up in the village the next day, Brenda mistook her for a thief! Brenda was now co-owner of the business, which Viv struggled with and they clashed a lot.
Viv fell asleep on the sofa as a fire raged through the flat (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The death of Viv in Emmerdale
When Viv then found out about Bob’s fling with Gennie, she called time on their marriage. However, it soon became clear she hoped the split wasn’t permanent. She began faking burglaries to play the damsel in distress and get Bob’s help and also tried to make him jealous. Eventually former lover Terry advised her to move on and she did try.
Terry supported her, but she mistook his kindness for something more and made a move. He gently knocked her back, insisting he was now with Brenda.
One more rejection hit Viv hard and she drunk a bottle of wine before passing out on the sofa. But a fire had been started at neighbouring Victoria Cottage and it soon spread to the shop. Terry broke in to rescue her and the twins. Bob got Heath and Cathy to safety, while Terry tried to get Viv.
However the Post Office exploded and Terry and Viv were both killed. Viv’s funeral was then held in her hometown of Essex, off screen.
Deena Payne smiling on the red carpet in 2008 (Credit: Cover Images)
Deena Payne and the controversy surrounding Viv’s exit
Viv was played by actress Deena Payne for 18 years, which made her one of the longest-serving show characters. Although she has admitted she was ready to leave as Viv, Deena has been very open about her disappointment over the way things were handled.
She gave an interview to the Distinct Nostalgia podcast in 2022 and explained: “18 years was enough. It was at a time when I wasn’t quite sure. If they tempted me to stay, I would’ve stayed and I would have preferred to have given in my notice. I was bitterly disappointed with the storyline exit I had as well after all the years I had been in.”
She went on to say: “I was hurt quite deeply and I did enjoy playing the character. I still miss that, absolutely, it did hurt, that’s for sure because it was a life and a person I had been playing for 18 years.”
Deena also spoke out about the storyline and how she didn’t want her character to die. “I not only didn’t have a storyline building up to it, but I also didn’t even have a grave in Emmerdale.
“They just sent my bits down south and I didn’t have any family left there so I did feel all of a sudden gone.
“And yes, in an ideal world it would have been fantastic to keep coming back in and muddying the waters and upsetting everybody and then back out as if nothing had happened.”
What is Deena Payne doing now?
Following her Emmerdale demise, Deena went back to the theatre. She has appeared on stage in Calendar Girls as well as in several pantomimes.
She has done some more TV, including True Crime and Doctors. It’s also reported she runs a dance school.
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 page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
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 page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
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.
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 page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
Bob Hope in Emmerdale is what you might call a serial monogamist.
It’s true Emmerdale boasts a good few men who have been married a LOT. Paddy Kirk has walked down the aisle five times – twice to current wife, Mandy Dingle. Dr Liam Cavanagh has had three wives – as he reminded Cain in a recent episode, while Marlon Dingle has been married four times.
But when it comes to romance in Emmerdale, Bob Hope takes the crown!
He’s been married, divorced, loved up, cheated, been cheated on and generally been at the heart of the drama since even before he first arrived in Emmerdale.
How many children does Bob have?
And as for kids, Bob’s got more than his fair share there too! He has seven biological children (not that he ever talks about most of them!).
He’s currently struggling to come to terms with the loss of his son, Heath, after a car accident late last year ended in Heath’s death.
But Heath isn’t the first offspring Bob has lost. In fact, he has also said sad goodbyes to daughter Dawn and his stepdaughter, Donna.
Here’s the lowdown on Bob Hope, his many marriages and his multiple offspring!
Bob is played by Tony Audenshaw (Credit: ITV)
Bob’s arrival in Emmerdale
Bob Hope made his mark on Emmerdale almost immediately after his arrival in 2000. Back then he was selling tights for the company Naughty Nylons and charm was his middle name!
He hit it off with Viv Windsor and decided to settle in the village. The pair tied the knot a year later. Viv was not Bob’s first wife, though!
By the time he came to Emmerdale, Bob had already been married and divorced four times and had five children!
Twenty-four years after he first set foot in the village, Mr Hope has now been married and divorced seven times to five different women – though he’s actually walked up the aisle eight times.
Bob tied the knot with Viv in 2001, for the first time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bob’s first three wives
Bob’s first wife was called Jean. Bob and Jean tied the knot twice, and they had two children – Dawn and Jamie. Dawn was mum to Bob’s grandson, TJ, who’d be 21 now!
Both Dawn and Jamie stayed in Emmerdale for a while. Though Dawn’s stint in the village ended in tragedy – more on that later.
Bob’s second wife, Barbara, is mum to Josh and Carly. They both arrived in the village to attend Bob’s second wedding to Viv.
Back then Carly was played by Rebecca Ryan, who went on to appear in Shameless and Coronation Street. Josh was played by Marc Silcock who later played tragic Jackson Walsh. When Carly came to the village later she had been recast and was played by Gemma Atkinson.
And Bob also had a short-lived Las Vegas marriage to third wife Vonda Lockhart. She’s the mum of Bob’s daughter Roxy. Roxy briefly visited the village in 2007.
Jimmy saved Roxy from choking (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bob and Viv
Bob married Viv twice too. They had twins Cathy and Heath together.
Bob was a father figure and stepdad to Viv’s daughter Donna, whose biological father was Viv’s late husband, Vic Windsor.
Bob was also stepdad to Scott Windsor, Viv’s son with Reg Dawson, and Kelly Windsor, Viv’s stepdaughter thanks to her marriage to Vic Windsor!
Donna died in 2014 and left her daughter April in the care of her father Marlon. April calls Bob her grandad.
Josh, Carly and their mum Barbara came to Bob’s second wedding to Viv (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bob and Brenda
Bob’s most recent marriage was to Brenda Walker. He and Brenda first had a handfasting ceremony in 2013, in which they exchanged vows, though it wasn’t a legal marriage.
They then married for real in 2018, but he was in love with Laurel at the time and Brenda knew what was going on. She told him to be with Laurel at their wedding reception!
Jean Hope came to the village to see daughter Dawn (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tragedies
Bob has now buried two of his children and one of his stepchildren. Dawn Woods was the first of his children to die back in July 2006.
Jimmy King was indirectly responsible for poor Dawn’s death after he opened his new King’s River development. He knew the show home had been damaged by Cain Dingle but Jimmy patched it up and went ahead with allowing people inside.
Dawn was one of the visitors and Jimmy’s bodge job came back to haunt him when the house exploded. The explosion killed three people – including Dawn, who was dragged from the rubble in front of her horrified dad.
Donna Windsor, Bob’s stepdaughter, died in 2014 shortly after returning to the village with Marlon’s secret daughter, April. She was suffering from mesothelioma, and only had a few years at best to live. But she ended up sacrificing her life when she threw herself off a multi-story car park while handcuffed to villain Gary North.
And of course Heath passed away after the car accident late last year.
Wendy and Bob are back together
Cheating!
Bob’s a big fan of romance – he’s always falling in love and he has also done a fair amount of cheating in his time! He once had a drunken one-night stand with Brenda’s daughter Gennie.
And he and Laurel Thomas had a controversial romance when Bob was preparing to tie the knot with Brenda Walker. Laurel had recently lost her husband Ashley Thomas. Ashley had been Bob’s best friend and the romance definitely bloomed from their grief.
When Bob left Brenda for Laurel on their wedding day, Laurel was stunned. Things soon unravelled between them though when he became too much for Laurel, who realised she didn’t love him and was just missing Ashley.
Now Bob’s in a relationship with Wendy Posner. Things haven’t all been plain sailing however. Wendy thought Bob had lost interest in her when in fact he was suffering from impotence.
Wendy looked elsewhere and ended up having an affair with younger doctor Liam Cavanagh. Bob found out and despite the fact he had also been tempted to cheat with Bernice Blackstock, he said he loved Wendy.
The stress then caused Bob to have a heart attack. But he and Wendy reconciled. Will they tie the knot?
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 page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
In recent Emmerdale scenes, Cain temporarily left the Dales to go stay with his daughter Debbie and father Zak, after learning about Zak’s deteriorating health.
Debbie moved to Scotland in 2019, with Zak following in 2023 after suffering mobility issues.
But who was Debbie Dingle and what did she – or rather, what didn’t she – get up to while in the village?
Debbie appeared on the soap young (Credit: ITV)
Debbie Dingle arrives in Emmerdale
A young Debbie arrived in the village in 2002 as a foster child for Paddy and Emily Kirk after her adoptive mother Pat fell ill. She was 13 at the time.
When Pat died, the move became permanent. Debbie soon befriended the Dingle family and gave Cain a big shock when she showed him a picture of her biological mum. He recognised her – it was Charity.
Charity remained in denial at first and kept Debbie a secret from her husband Chris Tate. But they soon bonded and Debbie moved in with Charity and Chris.
Later in 2003, Charity admitted that Cain was Debbie’s father, leading to the three of them growing close. This angered Chris and he became aggressive towards Debbie resulting in her moving in with the Dingles.
Teenage pregnancy
Debbie started a secret relationship with Andy Sugden and lost her virginity to him in 2004. Debbie later discovered she was pregnant at 15. She hid the pregnancy from everyone and planned to abandon the baby after giving birth.
However, after giving birth in a shed, assisted by Emily and Daz, Debbie had a change of heart. But she didn’t initially take to motherhood and constantly left daughter Sarah with Emily.
Later that year, Debbie shocked her family when she gave Sarah to Emily, who was leaving the area. Debbie felt Sarah would have a better life with Emily and showed no remorse for her actions, which angered the Dingles.
It was 10 months before Sarah was returned to her family. But Debbie didn’t want to be a mum, so Sarah went to live with Andy.
Relationship with Jasmine
Debbie became close to Jasmine Thomas and later realised she liked her as more than a friend.
After confessing her love for Jasmine, the two started dating. But, in order to hurt his daughter, Cain seduced Jasmine, who was confused about her sexuality, resulting in Debbie and Jasmine breaking up.
They later reconciled and Debbie got her revenge on Cain by telling him that Jasmine had had an abortion.
Debbie was also involved in the killing of Jasmine’s boyfriend Shane Doyle. Shane attempted to rape Jasmine, and upon hearing her screams, Debbie came to her rescue and knocked Shane unconscious. But he woke up and grabbed Debbie. Jasmine then beat him repeatedly, resulting in his death.
Debbie and Jasmine decided to go on the run together, but Debbie was caught and charged with Shane’s murder. Jasmine later returned and admitted to the crime, though Debbie was still charged with perverting the court of justice.
Relationships with Michael and Cameron
Debbie started a relationship with a man named Michael, but was dismayed to discover he was engaged. He told Debbie that he loved her and had called off the wedding.
However, Cain discovered this wasn’t true and Cain and Debbie turned up at the wedding to discover the bride was her mum Charity!
Debbie later met Cameron, but their relationship faced many tests – notably because Sarah was ill and needed a bone marrow transplant.
Debbie and Andy decided to try and have a baby together in order to create a donor for Sarah. This idea didn’t thrill Cameron. And he was furious when he later discovered that it wasn’t done via artificial insemination, but rather conventional methods.
Cameron went on to have an affair with Chas and was responsible for the murders of Carl King and Gennie Walker.
The end result was the Woolpack Siege, which saw Cameron threaten to shoot anyone who dared leave.
She married Pete Barton (Credit: ITV)
Pete and Ross Barton
Debbie started a relationship with Pete Barton and even proposed to him. But she later started an affair with his brother Ross.
Debbie planned to run away with Ross, but when she discovered he was the father of her mum’s baby, she ordered Cain to get rid of him.
She later married Pete, but he discovered her affair with Ross.
Following a helicopter crash, which saw Debbie end up in intensive care, she tried in turn to have a relationship with both Pete and Ross, but ultimately ended up leaving the village for France alone.
She returned the following year, before leaving for Scotland for good in 2019.
Who played Debbie Dingle?
Charley Webb has played Debbie since the character was introduced.
The actress was married to fellow Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden for 15 years before the couple announced their split last year. They have three children together.
Since leaving Emmerdale, Charley has appeared in a few TV shows. Most notably The Long Shadow, in which she starred in four episodes.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
Lydia Dingle in Emmerdale is the devoted, but no-nonsense wife of Sam, and the heart of the whole Dingle family.
But she’s been through a lot in her time in the village, most recently a brutal rape at the hands of her former boyfriend.
Here’s the lowdown on everything that happened.
Lydia struggled to process what had happened to her (Credit: ITV)
Lydia’s childhood
Lydia grew up in a children’s home, where she met Craig Reed. Lydia – who at the time was called Jenny Finn – got pregnant by Craig. She gave birth alone in the bathroom to a stillborn baby boy. Lydia wrapped her son in a jumper and buried him on what would become the site of Hotten Academy.
More than 30 years later, Craig came back into Lydia’s life. They reconnected at a jobs fair in the Hide, and became friends. Lydia told Craig about their baby – who she’d named Toby – and took him to his final resting place to pay his respects.
Craig pinned Lydia down and raped her (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale: Lydia is sexually assaulted
After that, Lydia and Craig spent more time together and she even started working for him. But Craig was developing an unhealthy obsession with Lydia and had convinced himself she felt the same.
It all came to a head when one evening, in his office, Craig started to make a move on Lydia. When she turned him down, he pinned her down and raped her.
Lydia eventually told Sam what had happened (Credit: ITV)
The aftermath
It took Lydia a few days to really process what Craig had done – she even went back to work. Her family realised she was acting oddly, but didn’t know why.
Craig continued to torment Lydia, telling her they could make a life together, while befriending her family. When Lydia snapped, she went to the police and told them she wanted to report a rape. But she ended up rushing away before she gave any details.
When Lydia told husband Sam and the rest of the Dingles what had happened to her, they supported her as she went to the police and Craig was arrested.
But when the case against him was dropped, Lydia was devastated.
Kim was a great support to Lydia (Credit: ITV)
Craig’s death
After the case was dropped, Craig was found dead in a field, and the shocked Dingles gathered to piece together who was to blame.
As it turned out, Kim inadvertently caused Craig’s death. She came across him when out riding and though she told him to stay away from her horse, he spooked the nag and got kicked in the head. Cain Dingle saw what happened and helped Kim cover up the crime by setting the horse free and concocting a story that it had escaped.
The killing really tested Lydia’s friendship with Kim, and her relationship with the whole Dingle family, but she’s back where she belongs now, at Wishing Well Cottage.
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 page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!
In tonight’s episode of Emmerdale (Monday, September 23), Gail and Ryan discussed getting a place of their own.
Gail then mentioned that Marlon’s place was out of the question…
That’s because Gail reckoned that the place was haunted by the ghost of someone called Noreen.
Noreen used to live in the village (Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (805485kv))
Emmerdale: Gail’s fear of Noreen
Currently on Emmerdale, Ryan and Gail have been discussing taking the next step in their relationship.
Gail wanted to look for a place of her own but, after her pet rat died the other day, Ryan suggested that she moved in with him.
Gail wasn’t so sure at first but Ryan managed to convince her.
This evening, Ryan suggested that they both moved into the pub. This was because Gail was scared to move into Marlon’s place as she feared the ghost of someone called Noreen who used to live in the house before Marlon bought the place…
Noreen lived in the village in 2006 (Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (805485kx))
Who was Noreen Bell?
The reference to Noreen Bell was definitely a name dragged out of the Emmerdale history books.
Noreen Bell lived in the village in Tall Trees Cottage… She appeared on screens between 2005-2006 before meeting a horrific end.
Noreen was a pensioner who befriended Val Lambert when Val was doing community service.
Noreen’s time in the village was really short-lived though as she fell victim to a tragic event.
The pensioner sadly ended up dying in 2006 when the Kings’ river development exploded.
She left Val all of her money in her will. She also left her thimble collection to her cousin.
When did Marlon buy Noreen’s house?
Donna Windsor and Marlon married and bought Noreen’s house after her death in 2007.
The pair wanted to raise a family there together but ended up divorcing in 2009, crushing these hopes and dreams.
Marlon resided at Tall Trees for some time but ended up moving properties later on.
Marlon then moved out and in 2021 and moved into Smithy Cottage instead. He now lives there with wife Rhona and children Leo, April and Ivy.
Marlon currently rent Tall Trees out to Ryan Stocks though, still actually owning the property he spent years living in. Ryan really wanted Gail to move in there with him but, Gail doesn’t want to move in there due to fearing Noreen’s ghost. Spooky…
Marlon never seemed to have a problem with Noreen’s ghost but it’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the supernatural. We totally get why Gail isn’t taking any chances with this one though!
