In Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 today (Thursday, January 23), Alice Dingle says her final, sad goodbye as Sam helps her end her life.
These episodes originally aired on July 31 and August 1 2006.
Alice and Sam go outside for a final time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Goodbye, Alice
It’s a sad day for the Dingles as Alice realises it’s time for her to say goodbye to her family. She asks Sam to help her die, and he can’t deal with her request.
But after a chat with Marlon, about him losing Tricia, Sam comes to understand why Alice is asking him to help her and he agrees.
Marlon gets hold of the morphine that Sam needs, with a bit of help from cousin Eli, while Alice – unbeknownst to the Dingles – says her final goodbye.
Sam fills the syringe with morphine, and Alice passes away in his arms.
Jasmine needs money
The next day, pregnant Jasmine goes back to the doctor and asks for a private abortion. But she’s shocked to find out it’ll cost £500.
With no income of her own, she’s forced to ask her family for the cash. Will they realise why she needs the money?
Classic Emmerdale: Is Sam coping?
At the Dingles’ house, the family are united as they vow no one will ever find out the truth about Alice’s death.
Zak warns Sam about the consequences of his actions, but the family are all relieved when the doctor writes out the death certificate. But Sam’s in agony as he watches Alice’s video in today’s Classic Emmerdale.
Will Belle have to take a bath? (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Duck race fun in Classic Emmerdale!
Elsewhere, the village comes together in a duck race to cheer up Belle – and make her take a bath. If Toni’s duck wins, then Belle has to take a bath.
But things don’t quite turn out as expected.
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.
Alice Dingle takes her last breaths in Classic Emmerdale today, in what is one of soap’s saddest ever deaths.
When the episode was aired originally, back in the summer of 2006, it was quite controversial.
Here’s everything you need to know about Alice’s tragic death.
Sam agreed to help Alice die (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
How did Alice die in Classic Emmerdale?
Alice was diagnosed with cancer shortly after finding out she was pregnant. The doctors advised her to terminate her pregnancy so she could start treatment, but Alice refused.
Instead, she waiting to start her chemotherapy until she had given birth to baby Samson in January 2006.
But by then the cancer was too advanced and Alice went downhill. As her suffering increased, she made the decision to end her own life.
With no treatment left that could cure her, Alice came home to die – sleeping in the Dingles’ lounge with her family around her. But she could no longer walk, or go outside, and so she asked Sam to speed up her death.
Sam took Alice outside for one last time, then he helped her die (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Did Sam kill Alice?
Sam wasn’t in favour of helping Alice to die at first. He told Alice he couldn’t kill the person he loved more than anything else in the world.
But after a chat with Marlon – who’d lost his wife Tricia a few years before – Sam decided he would do as Alice asked.
Newcomer Eli Dingle got the drugs Sam needed, at Marlon’s request, and Sam helped Alice to end it all.
Alice slipped away in Sam’s arms, with little Samson beside her.
The family rallied round Sam (Credit: ITV)
Sam arrested
Sam was briefly arrested for helping his wife die. But in typical Dingle fashion the family all stood together and each confessed to the crime. Eventually it was Cain who took the blame in order to stop social services stepping in and taking baby Samson away from his dad.
Was the Classic Emmerdale storyline controversial?
At the time, there had only been on other assisted death in soap. When Ethel Skinner was diagnosed with terminal cancer, in EastEnders, she asked her friend Dot Cotton to help her die.
Alice’s story, especially her being a young mum, was more controversial and it was debated in the media. But it proved a hit with fans and Ursula Holden Gill, who played Alice, was nominated for the Best Actress award at the 2007 British Soap Awards.
Since then there have been more assisted dying stories in soap. Hayley Cropper took her own life with the help of husband Roy in Coronation Street, and Aaron Dingle helped his boyfriend Jackson Walsh to die. Faith Dingle also ended her life by stockpiling her medication.
The storylines are always controversial, and very emotional! We’re still sobbing over Alice’s tragic death.
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.
Who do you think kills Anthony? 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 Classic Emmerdale scenes, Dawn Woods died following an explosion. But what happened to her son, TJ Woods?
Along with most of the village, Dawn went to the show home opening at the King’s River development. However, Sadie’s sabotage caused the house to explode.
Dawn was pulled from the wreckage, but later died from her injuries. Her son TJ with Terry Woods was just a toddler at the time, but where is he now?
TJ lost both his parents (ITV/Shutterstock)
TJ’s birth in Emmerdale
Terry Junior is the son of Dawn and Terry Woods. He was born in October 2003. Dawn had contracted German measles while pregnant, so there was concern that TJ could be deaf, but they soon received news that this wasn’t the case.
While wetting TJ’s head, Terry suffered a stroke and collapsed. Once he was allowed home from hospital, Dawn struggled to look after both him and the baby.
Dawn soon begun an affair with her stepbrother Scott, but once Terry discovered this he chucked Dawn out. A nasty custody battle over TJ then ensued.
Dawn wanted to take TJ to see her mum Jean in Spain and she warned Terry he would never see his son again. Terry called the police on Dawn to stop her leaving with their son. However, eventually, Dawn was awarded sole custody.
Jean took TJ to Morocco (Credit:ITV/Shutterstock)
What happened to TJ in Emmerdale?
TJ was two and a half when his mum Dawn was killed in the explosion. Dawn’s mum Jean accepted compensation from the King family and attempted to take TJ to Morocco.
Terry brought TJ back to the Dales, but the youngster struggled without his mum. He later contracted E-Coli, but luckily there was no lasting damage.
When TJ was 7, he became an orphan after Terry was killed in a fire. Dawn’s dad Bob Hope decided the best thing for TJ would be for him to join Jean in Morocco.
Viv had also died in the fire, leaving Bob to raise Cathy and Heath alone. Raising TJ too would have been too much for him.
Bob and Brenda took TJ to the airport. The following year, 2012, Brenda went to visit TJ, but not much has been heard of him since.
TJ was a child when he left Emmerdale (ITV/Shutterstock)
Why now is a good time for TJ to return?
TJ’s main links in Emmerdale are his grandfather Bob and auntie Cathy. Bob has been struggling recently due to it being the anniversary of his son Heath’s death.
Upcoming scenes will see Bob put on a brave face as Heath’s headstone is due to be erected. Bob and Cathy comfort each other as they reminisce about Heath.
A visit from grandson TJ could be just the medicine for Bob. TJ will be 21 now – Emmerdale has a chance to build a new character, in much the same way as they did with Joe Tate (who previously left as a child and returned as an adult.)
Bob also suffered a setback romantically recently when Wendy left the village. Could ex-wife Jean return with TJ and reignite things with her ex-husband?
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.
Who do you think kills Anthony? 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 Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 today (Wednesday, January 22), there is more bad news for Alice Dingle and the doctor suggests she move into a hospice for her final weeks.
These episodes originally aired on July 28 and 30 2006.
Sam comforts Alice (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Alice makes a big decision
Alice’s cancer is starting to get the better of her. When a doctor arrives and delivers more bad news, the Dingle family come to the realisation that the end is near and Alice only has weeks to live.
The doctor suggests Alice move into a hospice for her final days, but she’s determined she will stay at home with Sam and baby Samson.
As Alice starts to feel weaker and struggles to hold Samson, she makes a big decision. Alice wants her agony to end so she asks a shocked Sam to help her die.
Matthew v Sadie in Classic Emmerdale
In the haulage yard office, Matthew and Sadie are at loggerheads. Matthew threatens Sadie and tells her that he’ll tell people the truth about the JCB incident.
In Classic Emmerdale spoilers airing on ITV3 today (Tuesday, January 21), the village all turn out to say a sad goodbye to Dawn – but not everyone can make it to the funeral.
And there is some big news for Viv.
These episodes originally aired on July 26 and 27 2006.
A shock in store for Viv
It’s the day of Dawn’s funeral and Viv’s feeling so sick, she doesn’t manage to leave the house.
As the procession makes its way through the village, Donna’s worried that her mum hasn’t shown up and goes to find her. She arrives just in time to see Viv faint.
Worried, Donna takes Viv to the hospital, where she’s shocked to discover she’s pregnant! How will Bob react?
Bob struggles through Dawn’s funeral (ITV/Shutterstock)
Dawn funeral sadness
Meanwhile, back in the village at Dawn’s funeral, Bob makes his way to the front of the church to deliver a moving eulogy for his daughter. He can’t go on, and he’s helped back to his seat by Jean.
Later, Bob goes to the graveyard to pay his respects and finds Alice there. He confides in her about his guilt over being absent from Dawn’s life for so long.
Classic Emmerdale: Jasmine’s unwell
Elsewhere, Ashley and Sandy make Jasmine go to the doctor when she is too poorly to make it to the funeral. When she comes back, she tells Sandy that she has a stomach bug.
Alice isn’t doing well (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Alice is struggling
The next day, Alice is at home feeling unwell, when she falls on her way to answer the phone. She realises she can’t move her legs and when the doctor arrives, he tells her he thinks she would get better care in hospital.
Matthew’s in charge in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
At the haulage firm, Matthew takes control once more. He admits to Tom that he thinks Sadie was having an affair with Cain.
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 Classic Emmerdale spoilers airing on ITV3 today (Monday, January 20), Steph Stokes is shocked when the police arrive and arrest her. This comes as Adam’s lies were exposed last week – seemingly giving Steph motive for Terence’s murder.
Last week, the police discovered that Adam is a fraud, and has been practicing medicine under his late dad’s name. While it was obvious that Steph knew nothing about her husband’s past, this wasn’t enough to clear her of Terence’s murder.
And, as she prepares for her bail hearing, a defiant Steph makes a bold move. Can she clear her name?
Elsewhere, Simon is deflated when Tash pays a visit with some disappointing news. As Diane attempts to console him, Simon misreads the signals and embarrasses himself.
These episodes originally aired on July 24 and 25 2006.
The police swing by The Woolpack to arrest Steph (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Steph is arrested in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
Alan is proud when Steph spends the day trying to move on with her life. However, she faces a major setback later that day when the police arrive at the Woolpack – and arrest her in front of everyone.
The next day, at her bail hearing, Steph refuses to plead unfit to go to trial, and pleads not guilty to murdering Terence. Can Steph clear her name, or has she just made a huge mistake?
In today’s Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on Friday January 17 on ITV3, Danny wants to find Pearl, word spreads about Dr Adam being a fraud and Bob’s half-mad with grief over Dawn.
These episodes originally aired on July 21 and 23, 2006.
Steph is questioned by the police, but finds out upsetting information (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Adam’s lies exposed
The police find out that Adam had been practising medicine under his late dad’s name and question Steph about it. It’s obvious she knew nothing about her husband’s past.
Later the police tell Alan they think Terence was blackmailing Adam about his deception but they point out this still gives Steph and Alan himself a motive for the murder.
Len’s missing Pearl in Classic Emmerdale
Elsewhere, Danny tells Len he thinks they should look for Pearl, but Len disagrees. He says he thinks it’s better if she stays away because if she comes back to the village, there will be a mob waiting for her. Danny suggests they could pay off Pearl’s debts to her friends so she can come home.
Shadrach sees pound signs
Later Eric tells the police that he loaned money to Adam so he could get away from Steph. And as word spreads about how Dr Adam was practising illegally, Diane and Shadrach try to persuade Alice that she should sue the health authority.
The police want to speak to Len
Elsewhere, Len is surprised when the police arrive to take a statement, forcing Danny and Edna to admit they have reported Pearl missing. Len is upset and admits to Danny that he still loves Pearl.
Bob’s struggling after Dawn’s death in Classic Emmerdale
Meanwhile, poor Bob is half mad with grief after Dawn’s death. He locks himself into Pear Tree Cottage and demands that the Kings admit responsibility for the house collapse.
Will he get the result he’s hoping for?
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.
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 today’s Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on Thursday January 16 on ITV3, there’s bad news for Alan and Steph as the police find Terence’s body, Jack wants justice, and Eli takes matters into his own hands.
These episodes originally aired on July 19 and 20, 2006.
Grim news for Alan
There’s a shock for Alan when the police tell him they’ve found Terence’s body in the foundations of the show home. He’s worried this means Steph will now get the blame for her brother’s death. And it seems he’s right because the police are soon at the B&B to take Steph away for questioning.
Steph is arrested (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Eli’s back in the family
Meanwhile, over at the Dingles’ house, Sam catches Cain taking money from the pot. Eli clocks it too. He steams right in, overpowers Cain, and puts the dosh back. But despite Eli’s actions, Zak’s not impressed and he tells the Dingle newcomer that it’s time he moves out. Only to change his mind and tell Eli he can stay.
Jack wants the Kings to face justice (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Classic Emmerdale: Jack wants justice
Later, the villagers gather for a meeting to discuss the Kings’ role in the show home explosion. Jack starts to share his plan to take the Kings to court and talks about what the solicitor has told him. But Grayson intervenes and warns the crowd that they’ll need excellent legal advice to do this properly and even then it’ll be a long, drawn-out process.
Eli’s not impressed with this approach and it’s not long before he’s lashing out first at Tom, then at Matthew. Marlon tries to persuade him that violence isn’t the answer but Eli says they should take matters into their own hands.
Steph’s given the cold shoulder in Classic Emmerdale
Later, despite Alan trying to persuade everyone that Steph’s innocent, she gets the cold shoulder when she’s released by the police and pops into the Woolpack.
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.
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 today’s Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on Wednesday 15 January on ITV3, the Kings realise with horror that they’re to blame for the house collapse, another death is discovered, and Dawn’s family is falling apart.
These episodes originally aired on July 17 and 18, 2006.
The dust settles in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
As the dust settles after the house explosion, Carl and Matthew start to realise the JCB accident could be the cause of the collapse. They come to terms with the fact that if Jimmy didn’t repair the house properly, that means King & Sons is in serious trouble.
But Matthew’s distracted, worried that Sadie’s been having an affair with Cain. Cain cryptically tells Matthew to find Jimmy’s camera.
Sad news for Sam and Alice
Sam and Eli plan a trip to Scarborough for Alice, which forces Alice to admit to Sam that her health is getting worse. A nurse comes to visit and listens, concerned, as Alice tells her about her worsening symptoms.
Sam’s angry when he finds out Alice is dying and worries he can’t live without her. Shadrach shows an uncharacteristically senstive side when he gives Alice a notebook in which to write advice for baby Samson as he grows up.
Val’s tragic discovery
Back at the site of the explosion, Val’s worried when she hears an unidentified woman was found dead in the rubble. She and Eric head to Noreen‘s house and notice the pile of mail by the door. At the police station, Val identifies Noreen’s personal effects and weeps in Eric’s arms.
Diane’s struggling in this week’s Classic Emmerdale spoilers
Elsewhere, Victoria is hurt when Diane spurns her attempts to make her feel better. And Diane herself is devastated when she tries to comfort Jean, only for Jean to turn on her and say she wishes Diane was dead instead of Dawn.
Dawn’s family fall apart
Meanwhile Dawn’s family are all fighting. Terry is snapping at TJ, while Bob is fuming when he sees Viv with Scott and throws him out, while Jamie keeps quiet. Scott, though, is furious with Jamie for lying that he tried to save Dawn, and Donna tells her brother to leave Jamie alone.
Bob confronts the Kings about the accident (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bob points the finger
And while everyone’s arguing, Bob’s beginning to see the accident was the Kings’ fault.
He confronts Tom about the JCB incident and tells him he won’t get away with it. Tom is shaken to hear the Health and Safety Executive discovered the JCB broke a gas pipe which wasn’t repaired.
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.
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
Eli Dingle has just arrived in the village in Classic Emmerdale, much to his brother Marlon’s horror.
It’s already clear that Marlon isn’t fond of his brother, while Zak has given Eli an ultimatum – he needs to keep out of trouble, or he’ll be sent packing!
It seems Sam’s the only member of the family who’s pleased to see his cousin.
But as Eli ended up sticking around in Emmerdale for four years, he definitely won over his family in the end.
Here’s the lowdown on everything the troublemaking Dingle – the one-time bareknuckle fighting champion of Skipdale – got up to during his years in Emmerdale.
Eli Dingle arrived in the village in 2006 (Credit: ITV)
Eli’s arrival
Eli sauntered into the village on the day of the King’s River show home opening. He immediately pointed out the flaws in the house, claiming there were cracks in the plaster and said he knew what he was talking to thanks to training as a builder when he was in prison.
But Marlon thought Eli was jealous and he ignored his advice.
When Alice Dingle wanted to end her life, due to her terminal cancer, Marlon begged Eli to help.
He emotionally blackmailed his brother into getting hold of morphine for Alice. But after Alice died, Zak was horrified to find out Eli had given her the drugs. He disowned poor Eli, who had to leave Wishing Well Cottage.
When Sam came across his cousin, he was living rough in the woods on the run from some vicious drug dealers. The dealers attacked Marlon in an attempt to track Eli down. Eventually Eli came up with a plan to frame them for an armed robbery at the post office. The plan worked and Eli was welcomed back into the Dingle family.
Trouble making!
Eli was wrongly arrested for Tom King’s murder, and he had a flirtation with Kelly Windsor. When Jimmy jilted Kelly at the altar, Eli nicked Debbie’s car for her to use to escape the village.
He and Debbie started an on/off relationship and he helped her with some of her money-making schemes, including pretending to be Scott Windsor to help her get a loan for the garage.
Eli fell for Olena (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Shooting Marlon!
Marlon was disappointed when a local bookmaker wouldn’t pay out and decided to rob it in revenge. He convinced Eli to join him. But when Marlon discovered Eli had brought a gun, he wanted to pull out. He tried to stop Eli and got accidentally shot in the chest!
Luckily, Marlon recovered but he was furious with Eli. And the brothers’ relationship completely fell apart when Marlon was hailed a hero and given enough money to buy a house for him and Donna.
Eli was jealous and started blackmailing his brother, threatening to tell everyone the robbery was his idea.
The pair ended up in a scuffle on top of a multi-storey carpark!
The brothers made their peace before Eli left Emmerdale forever (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Eli and the McFarlanes
Eli had links to a local crime family, the McFarlanes, through his ex-girlfriend Danielle. She helped the Dingles rescue Aaron from the family after he began working as a drugs courier for them.
And Eli was also involved when Jasmine Thomas killed bent cop Shane Doyle – another person working for the McFarlanes – when he tried to rape her.
Eli helped cover up the crime, but things got complicated when Ross Kirk – who was having an affair with Donna – was blamed for the murder (by Marlon!).
Lots of complications later, and Eli spilled the beans to the police, telling them what really happened, leaving Debbie arrested while Jasmine escaped. Jasmine eventually returned and confessed, leading to Debbie being released.
Eli, though, was struggling and ended up back on the streets. Laurel found him and brought him back to the village. Eli thought he brought trouble to his family, but he was welcomed home. He tried to keep things on the straight and narrow, making friends and getting a job at the sweet factory.
Eli and Olena in Emmerdale
But when Eli fell for Olena Petrovich, things got tricky again. Sam Dingle also had feelings for her though it was Eli she loved. When Sam reported Olena to immigration, Eli somehow got the blame.
He went on a downward spiral and ended up stealing the cash box from the B&B and knocking Eric Pollard unconscious.
Eli decided to leave but he and Marlon had an emotional discussion before he went, chatting about their childhood.
Eli’s not been back in the village since 2010. But he was a popular character and many fans have said they’d love to see him back!
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.
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
