Alice and Sam Dingle’s love story in Emmerdale was one to remember, but ended tragically when Alice succumbed to cancer in 2006. She sadly died not long after welcoming son Samson, leaving husband Sam heartbroken.
Sam and Samson have remained in Emmerdale ever since, with Sam navigating life as a single parent. Alice definitely changed Sam’s life forever, despite their relationship being cut short.
So, what is Alice Dingle’s tragic story?
Alice Dingle arrives in Emmerdale
In December 2004, Alice Wilson was introduced to Emmerdale viewers. Following the death of her father, Alice had been living alone on the family farm and was struggling to manage it alone.
Paddy Kirk and his wife Emily paid Alice a visit and were left horrified by how she was living. The couple befriended Alice and she even temporarily moved in with them.
This led to Alice meeting Sam Dingle.
Alice and Sam
It was pretty much love at first sight for Alice and Sam, with the pair immediately hitting it off. However, Alice was struggling with the farm, prompting her to make plans to move to Norfolk.
Sam was distraught when Alice informed him of her plans to leave Emmerdale. He even thought about taking his own life, though Eric Pollard managed to talk him out of it.
Alice came to visit after she’d auctioned the family farm, and she and Sam shared a kiss. Alice asked him to move to Norfolk with her but he declined her offer as he wanted to stay with his family.
Zak later talked Sam into moving with Alice and the couple left the village together.
Return to Emmerdale
For months, Alice and Sam lived happily on their chicken farm in Norfolk, sending regular updates to the Dingle family.
One day, Sam suddenly returned to Emmerdale and was acting strangely. Two weeks later, Alice tracked him down. She explained to everyone that she’d told Sam she was pregnant and he’d fled.
Alice understood Sam was scared of becoming a father and the pair managed to get back on track. Sam said he wanted to remain in Emmerdale so the Dingle family could help with the baby, so he and Alice made a permanent return to the village.
Illness
Things were going well for Alice and Sam, but she soon began feeling ill during her pregnancy. After undergoing tests, she was diagnosed with cancer.
Alice was advised to terminate her pregnancy in order to begin chemotherapy but she refused to get rid of her baby.
Samson born
Alice declined the advice she’d been given and gave birth to a baby son named Samson prematurely in January 2006. The birth left Alice depressed, with Samson being rushed to intensive care before she had chance to see him.
Alice started undergoing chemotherapy after Samson’s arrival. During her treatment, she and Sam decided to get married.
Alice’s death in Emmerdale
After several weeks of chemotherapy, Alice’s doctor told her the treatment wasn’t working. Therefore, she stopped having chemotherapy.
A few weeks of pain followed and having decided she wanted to choose when she dies, Alice and Sam agreed she would take her own life.
When the time was right, Alice said tearful goodbyes to her family and Sam gave her an overdose of morphine.
Read more: Sam Hall insists Samson does have morals
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.
