Butlers Farm in Emmerdale is one of the soap’s most recognisable properties. It is currently home to Moira and Cain Dingle, but it has a rich history.
The 157-acre working farm was built around 1800 and is situated a short distance from the main village.
As Emmerdale was originally an agricultural community, Butlers is an important piece of the village’s past.
The farm is the property of Kim Tate, who purchased it from previous owner Moira Dingle in 2023. Moira still owns the farmhouse of Butlers and the field where daughter Holly is buried. Moira lives there with husband Cain and their young sons Kyle Winchester and Isaac Dingle.
Location shooting for Butlers Farm is filmed at Brookland Farm, which is in the village of Eccup. The interior of Butlers farmhouse are filmed in the Emmerdale studios in Leeds.
Wilf was helped by Jack Sugden, but he still couldn’t turn his fortunes around at Butlers Farm (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The history of Butlers Farm in Emmerdale
The farm is thought to date back to the beginning of the early nineteenth century. It was originally owned by a local man called Wilf Butler, who gave his name to the farm.
Butlers was thought to have remained in the Butler family until 2003, when it was first seen on screen.
Wilf had a son called Stephen and when we first met them, Wilf, played by Peter Armitage, was almost bankrupt. With the farm in poverty Jack Sugden helped him out.
Andy was only young when he took over (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The Andy Sugden years
In 2003, farmer’s son Andy Sugden decided he wanted to have a go at running his own holding. He and first wife Katie Addyman took over the tenancy and the young couple grafted all hours to keep the farm running.
Following his divorce from Katie, Andy married Jo Stiles, but the pair split due to Andy’s violent behaviour.
Andy struggled to run the farm on his own, and when Jo sold all of Butlers equipment and livestock he was left with nothing.
He subsequently suffered a complete mental breakdown and was forced to give up his beloved Butlers, marking the end of an era.
The Bartons faced some struggles there (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The John Barton years at Butlers Farm in Emmerdale
Butlers was given a shake-up with the arrival of the Bartons in 2009.
This modern farming family were brought in by former series producer, Gavin Blyth and consisted of dad John, mum Moira and their three teenage children Adam, Holly and Hannah (who is now Matty).
Andy was re-hired and the family also brought in farmhand Alex Moss to help them manage Butlers.
In 2011, John and Moira decided they wanted to make Butlers their permanent home and bought it from the Home Farm estate for a reduced price.
Following John’s tragic death in a car accident, grieving Moira wanted to sell Butlers, but was convinced her kids to stay put.
The Barton boys made an impact (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The James Barton years
In 2014, Butlers saw the arrival of four new faces – John’s brother James Barton and his three sons, Pete, Ross and Finn.
The clan had come to Butlers because they had lost their own farm. James and co were later joined by his former wife, Emma.
After James’s death in October 2016 his shares in Butlers went Emma and their sons
Holly’s death was devastating (Credit: ITV)
Deaths at Butlers Farm in Emmerdale
You could say it’s something of a curse to live at Butlers – particularly if your last name is Barton!
The first of the Barton brood to meet their maker was John, who perished in a car crash.
The family then suffered tragic two losses in 2016.
In September, Moira discovered her daughter Holly dead in bed after she’d succumbed to a heroin overdose in her sleep. This sad event marked the only death to actually occur in Butlers.
And the next month, James was accidentally pushed off a bridge by his wife, Emma.
Almost a year on from that fateful day, Emma accidentally gunned down Finn, and was subsequently pushed to her death off a viaduct by Moira.
Crikey!
Forbidden romance turned into everlasting love (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Steamy affairs
If the walls in Butlers could talk, they’d have some saucy tales to tell!
There’s been quite a bit of rolling around in haystacks – particularly involving Moira!
Her relationship with Cain actually began as an affair, when she was still married to first husband, John, and the lovers enjoyed a few steamy sessions in the farmhouse.
Moira also has also engaged in hanky panky with farmhand Alex Moss, and more recently Nate Robinson – who turned out to be Cain’s long-lost son!
Happy ever after for Moira and Cain? (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Wedding bells
Cain and Moira Dingle tied the knot at Butlers back in 2014.
One of the farm’s barns was transformed into a wedding venue and the couple’s loved ones gathered there to watch the happy pair exchange vows.
Recently another of the Butlers barns has had a complete makeover, so could more wedding plans be on the horizon?
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.
Soapland is known for a good cameo and Emmerdale is not different! In fact, when it comes to Emmerdale, there seem to have been more famous faces visiting the Dale than have popped into Weatherfield or Walford.
Here’s our round up of all the familiar faces you may have spotted over the years!
Katherine Jenkins sang at a pageant in the village (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Celebrity chefs cameo in Emmerdale
Marlon Dingle’s vocation in the kitchen has led to some celebrity encounters. In 2005, he met Aldo Zilli at a cookery competition and Antony Worrall Thompson showed up in 2008 when the Woolpack was nominated as Pub of the Year.
Antony tried to tempt Marlon to become a TV chef but he decided to stay put!
Marti Pellow came to serenade Kathy Glover before she went to Australia (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Pop stars in Emmerdale
Emmerdale’s regular village events mean there have been lots of opportunities for popstars to visit.
Who can forget the tragic episode featuring Katherine Jenkins? She was closing the Emmerdale pageant in 2007, singing Time to Say Goodbye, as Len Reynolds died from a heart attack and was driven away. SOB!
Happier cameos include The Proclaimers and Scouting for Girls. They performed at a festival at Home Farm, organised by Declan Macey and his sister Megan, in 2012. The special episodes were part of the celebrations for Emmerdale’s 40th anniversary.
In 2001, teen hearthrob Marti Pellow serenaded Kathy Glover at her leaving party, while in 2005, Diane Sugden fessed up to having a fling with Tony Christie when he dedicated a song to her in his concert.
And Spice Girl Mel B was an extra on Emmerdale before making it big as Scary Spice!
Hunter the Gladiator took part in a tug of war in the village! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Sports people
We all know Yorkshire’s not short of sporting legends and there have a been a few cameos from all kinds of champions since the show began.
Chris Kamara was “unbelievable” when his football team took on Bear’s back in 2019! And in 2014, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton visited the village, as a nod to the Tour de France which started in Yorkshire that year.
Chris Kamara played in the village football match (Credit: ITV)
And there’s more sporting cameos in Emmerdale
Winding the clock back further, rugby star Martin Offiah arrived in 1996 to play a ‘friendly’ charity match with some of the drinkers from the Woolpack. He even managed to send Mandy Dingle flying when he scored a try!
And in 1995 Hunter from Gladiators took part in a village tug of war!
That same year Ian Botham opened the newly refurbished Woolpack, while fellow cricketer Fred Trueman appeared in the show back in 1987.
Meanwhile before she won gold at the Olympics, Nicola Adams worked as an extra. She appeared in Coronation Street and Emmerdale but once she’d won her medal she had to retire from being a background artist because she was too recognisable!
The Vivienne took Emmerdale by storm! (Credit: ITV)
Other famous faces who have had an Emmerdale cameo
Doctor Who star Colin Baker appeared in an episode in 2021 as Diane Sugden’s date. While actor and dad of Cherie Blair, Tony Booth was in Emmerdale in 2007. He played a homeless man called Errol, who may or may not have been a ghost. No, we don’t remember that either. Perhaps we’ve blocked it out?!
Drag queen The Vivienne visited the village for Emmerdale’s first Pride in 2021.
Dancing on Ice faves Torvill and Dean appeared in 2023 (Credit: ITV)
Most recently, Torvill and Dean showed off their ice dancing skills for evil abuser Tom King (if only they’d known what he was really like, eh?) as Belle proposed on the ice.
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.
Bradley shared the update via his social media account using a picture of a cake with the message ‘baby coming December 2024’ iced upon it.
It’s a happy time for Bradley (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson shares baby news
As well as the cake we were treated to some Polaroids of their pregnancy journey. One showed Sammie’s baby-bearing belly and pics of them holding scan photos.
In the caption below the post, Bradley wrote simply: ‘Mum and Dad,’ signing off with a love heart emoji.
Bradley’s post sparked a huge reaction from his co-stars, not least on-screen mum, Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle.
“LOVE YOU BOTH SO SO SO SO MUCH at long long last I can tell everyone-you are both going to be the absolute BEST!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! so excited!!!! I’ve said congratulations to you both over a hundred times ,” she wrote. Sounds like she’s excited, doesn’t it?
Ash Palmisciano, who plays Matty Barton, concurred with Lisa’s sentiment: “Ah mateeeee this is amazing news!!! so happy for you both!! huge congratulations buddy! what a fun and lovely dad you’re gonna be.”
“Ahhh amazing news!! Congrats guys!!!” wrote Jessie Elland, who played Chloe Harris.
Lovely Dean Andrews added: “Mate, I could not be happier for you both. Massive congrats.”
“Congratulations you two!!!!!’ chimed in Belle Dingle actress Eden Taylor-Draper.
Poor Vinny’s not having as good a time as Bradley (Credit: ITV)
Bradley and Sammie
Bradley has played Vinny Dingle since 2019. He has suffered much heartbreak having married Liv Flaherty only for her to be killed months later by an accident during the Emmerdale storm.
He has since moved on with Gabby Thomas – Liv’s best mate – but ended things when she said she knew he was a virgin. Awkward.
Meanwhile in real life things have been far more plain-sailing for Bradley. Despite rumours of a romance with Liv actress Isobel Steele, Bradley and Sammie have in fact been together for two years.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk back in 2021, Isobel explained why there were romance rumours between the pair: “Brad is wonderful and such a good friend of mine. We are very similar and work really well together when we have scenes just us two.
“I can see why people jumped to conclusions, seeing two characters spending time together on and off-screen.
“For the record me and Brad are not in a relationship. We are just very good friends who enjoy each other’s company out of work as well as in work.”
He proposed to Sammie in October 2023 in Rome and they announced their engagement on social media. And now baby makes three!
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.
Tracy Robinson (nee Shankley) in Emmerdale has been causing trouble in the village for almost a decade.
Estranged from second husband Nate Robinson she is desperate to pursue her dream of opening a forest nursery. But will she ever manage it?
She’s gone from wild child to much-loved mum (Credit: ITV)
Who is Tracy Robinson in Emmerdale?
She is the daughter of the late Frank Clayton and Evette Shankley, the latter of whom has never been seen on-screen.
Tracy’s parents split when she was a young girl. She lost contact with Frank and Evette turned to alcohol in order to cope. Tracy is also the half-sister of vet Vanessa Woodfield.
The siblings are former housemates and didn’t discover they were related until 2016, nearly two years after their first meeting.
A former prostitute and thief, Tracy’s upbringing was far from a happy one, although she no longer engages in criminal activities.
Tracy has also been married twice. Her 2016 union with David Metcalfe ended in divorce two years later. She’s estranged from husband Nate Robinson after cheating on him with his uncle, Caleb Miligan.
The love of Tracy’s life is her young daughter, Frankie, who she welcomed in February 2021 and named in honour of her late father.
Tracy was a scammer when she first arrived (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tracy’s arrival
Wild child Tracy made her on-screen debut on July 7, 2014 and was first introduced as a love interest of Sam Dingle, who she’d met via an online chat group.
Going by the name Coleen, Tracy cruelly scammed Sam out of money. He later found her sleeping rough and invited her to stay at the Dingles’ while she found her feet again.
Tracy then moved into the B&B to live with Eric and Val Pollard, but proved old habits die hard when she was caught with her fingers in Val’s purse.
David proposed with a unique ring! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Her love life
Tracy began dating shop owner David Metcalfe, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer shortly into their relationship. She supported him through his illness and the couple got hitched in 2016 after David was given the all clear.
Their marriage only lasted a couple of years, after Tracy’s past as a prostitute was exposed when she got a stalker. Davis was unable to cope with who she had been and had a one-night stand with ex, Leyla. But Tracy and David hooked up for one last night together, which resulted in her falling pregnant. Feeling unable to keep the baby, Tracy had a termination.
Her next relationship was with Nate Robinson, but what started out as just a no-strings fling turned serious when Tracy learnt she was expecting.
In early 2021 she gave birth to a little girl called Frankie. After overcoming a few obstacles, Tracy and Nate finally made it official and married in July 2023.
Faith helped Tracy understand she needed help (Credit: ITV)
Tracy’s postnatal depression
Motherhood hasn’t been the easiest ride for Tracy.
Just days after Frankie’s birth, Tracy found herself overwhelmed and unable to cope looking after her new baby. She battled with postnatal depression in silence for months, and came very close to taking her own life.
Thankfully, Tracy recognised she needed help and committed herself to a psychiatric ward, leaving Frankie in Nate’s care.
She returned to the village a few months later, but was heartbroken to discover Nate had been unfaithful in her absence.
Nate’s betrayal resulted in Tracy relocating to Nottingham, which coincided with actress Amy Walsh’s maternity leave.
Tracy and Caleb were caught out at Christmas (Credit: ITV)
Affair with Caleb Miligan
With the ink barely dry on her marriage certificate to Nate, Tracy shocked viewers by embarking on a forbidden affair with his uncle, Caleb Miligan.
Despite her best efforts, Tracy was unable to resist the charms of the smooth-talking businessman. The lustful duo took major risks by engaging in passionate trysts across the village, but ended up getting caught in the act by Moira Dingle.
She ordered Tracy and Caleb to end their affair, which they did, only to resume it weeks later.
Tracy eventually decided she didn’t love Nate any more and ended their marriage. He found out she had been bedding Caleb when Caleb’s wife Ruby announced it at Belle and Tom’s wedding reception.
Caleb decided to make a go of things with Ruby, leaving Tracy out in the cold and all alone. She threw herself into her forest nursery idea, but determined to get him to prove his loyalty, Ruby made Caleb sabotage her presentation to potential investors. He exposed her prostitute past and it left her dream in tatters.
She now works in Eric’s shop, desperately trying to salvage her future.
Amy is married to an EastEnders star (Credit: Steve Vas/Future Image/Cover Images)
Who plays Tracy Robinson?
Emmerdale’s Tracy Robinson is played by British actress Amy Walsh. She was born on 27 March 1987 and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Amy is the youngest of four children, and her sister Kimberley Walsh is a member of the iconic girl group Girls Aloud.
Her other sister, Sally Walsh, also had a role in Emmerdale and played the character of Lyn Hutchinson between 1997 and 2000.
Amy’s first television appearance was as Jennifique McQueen in series four of the Hollyoaks spin-off, Hollyoaks Later.
Interestingly, Tracy wasn’t the first Emmerdale character Amy tried out for. She previously auditioned for the part of Rachel Breckle, which went to actress Gemma Oaten.
In August 2023, Amy married former EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith in the foothills of Montenegro’s towering mountains.
The couple met in the audience of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2019, and moved in together when the Covid pandemic hit.
They are parents to their daughter, Bonnie Mae, who they welcomed in December 2021.
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.
Emmerdale is on every week night – good news for us fans! Plus there is an hour-long episode every Thursday.
It usually airs at 7.30pm on ITV but it’s always good to double check because sometimes schedules change for football matches or other major events.
There’s all kinds of drama every night (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale on ITVX
You can also catch Emmerdale on ITVX. All episodes from this year are there to view as well as some from the end of last year, too.
Plus there are previews, extras and all sorts of other snippets available for fans to catch up on.
Of course we weren’t always so lucky to be treated to this many episodes of Emmerdale each week.
Emmerdale’s early episodes were on in the afternoon (Credit: ITV/Britbox)
Emmerdale schedules back in the day
When the show first started WAAAAY back in 1972 it was broadcast on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon – and that was it! And there was no catch-up TV then, so if you missed an episode, that was that.
In 1977, the episodes were moved to the evenings – phew! And so it was for twenty years, until in 1997 they added another episode, on Wednesday evenings.
But that wasn’t enough! So the show’s bosses decided to add some extra! And in October 2000 two more weekly episodes were added, this time on a Monday and a Friday.
In 2004, a Sunday evening episode was added to the list, making Emmerdale the first soap with six weekly episodes – impressive stuff.
After that, things got a bit complicated!
The Woolpack is at the centre of the action (Credit: ITV)
Social distancing
In 2008, the Sunday episode was scrapped and to make up for it, a longer hour-long episode was screened on Tuesdays. Emmerdale bosses were clear that this wasn’t just two half-hour eps mushed together, but actually a specially filmed hour-long episode.
In 2009 things changed again with Tuesdays going back down to half an hour, while an extra episode was aired on Thursday, half an hour after the first finished.
Then in 2019, ANOTHER episode was added to the Tuesday schedule meaning there were now seven episodes of Emmerdale every week.
During the Covid pandemic, episodes were reduced and aired on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Filming stopped between March and June of 2020 and when it resumed it was under strict social distancing restrictions and most episodes only featured two or three characters filmed by a skeleton crew.
In September 2020 Emmerdale returned to its usual schedule.
In January 2022, things changed again. Now Emmerdale airs at 7.30pm – the first change to its time slot since the seventies. And the Thursday double episodes were replaced with an hour-long ep.
And that’s how it’s stayed since then!
Classic Emmerdale
As well as modern day Emmerdale, die-hard fans can watch Classic Emmerdale episodes on ITV3 every single day!
These usually air at 1.30pm and 2.05pm, and are then repeated the next morning at 6am and 6.30am.
At the moment episodes from 2005 are airing and it sees the King family feuds at the heart of the action.
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.
Eden Taylor-Draper is best known to millions as Emmerdale’s Belle King (nee Dingle). The Yorkshire lass joined the soap in 2005 at the tender age of eight when she took over the part from Emily Mather.
Viewers have watched Belle – and Eden – grow up on screen.
During her two decades on Emmerdale, Belle has been at the centre of several major storylines, including a battle with schizophrenia, an illicit affair with a married doctor, faking a pregnancy and the tragic loss of her mum, Lisa Dingle.
Eden is no stranger to acting out tough scenes, but this year has been particularly challenging as Belle has found herself trapped in an abusive marriage to new husband Tom.
The once bubbly businesswoman has found herself on the receiving end of Tom’s jealous temper as he’s attempted to control every aspect of her life.
Thankfully life away from the cameras is a far happier one for Eden. Here is everything you need to know about the star.
Eden, pictured at the 2023 British Soap Awards, has been in Emmerdale since she was a child (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Who is Eden Taylor-Draper and how old is she?
Eden Taylor-Draper is a British actress who plays Emmerdale’s Belle King. She was born on 28 October 1997, making her 26-years-old.
Eden grew up in the market town of Selby, which is situated in North Yorkshire. It is around 30 minutes from where the soap is filmed.
Eden’s real-life family is as close as her on-screen one.
She’s the eldest of five, and her parents Nicola and Richard also have son Sebastian and daughters Pollyanna, Francesca and Posy.
Things are not great for Belle right now (Credit: ITV)
Eden Taylor-Draper as Belle Dingle in Emmerdale
Eden plays wedding planner Belle King (nee Dingle). Born Tinkerbelle Lisa ‘Belle’ Dingle, she’s the youngest daughter of Zak Dingle and the only child of his late wife, Lisa Dingle.
She has six half-siblings – Nathan, the late Ben and Butch, Sam, Cain and Tina Dingle.
Belle has lived her whole life in the village, being born and raised in Wishing Well Cottage.
The character made her first appearance on Christmas Day 1998. Viewers have watched Belle grow from a tiny baby to a smart and accomplished businesswoman.
Belle was originally played by twins Emily and James Mather. James stopped appearing in 2000 and Emily in 2005 when Eden took over the role.
Belle’s journey has been nothing short of dramatic.
Her storylines have included a surviving a near-fatal fall down a mineshaft, accidentally killing her best friend, an affair with a married man, faking a pregnancy and battle with schizophrenia.
In February 2024, Belle married her ex-boyfriend and village vet, Thomas King. The pair originally dated as teenagers and reconnected when Tom returned to the village after several years living abroad.
Sadly, married life has got off to the worst start for Belle. Tom has revealed himself to be a jealous and controlling bully. The vet has subjected his wife to appalling physical and mental abuse, including deliberately burning her hand.
Although becoming increasingly more aware of Tom’s actions, Belle has been manipulated into believing she’s the one responsible.
What else has Eden Taylor-Draper been in?
Emmerdale is Eden’s first professional acting gig.
In 2007, at the age of nine, she appeared in a short film titled The Cardiac Oak.
Eden was by her sister’s side throughout her treatment (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
She supported her sister through cancer
In 2017, Eden’s family went through the toughest of times when her young sister Francesca was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Eden took a break from work so she could be by Francesca’s side while she underwent treatment at hospital.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2020, Eden revealed: “Chessie [her nickname for Francesca] had her bed and I had a little bed next to her.
“Mornings would be a snuggle, cup of tea and re-runs of Come Dine With Me. I tried to keep Chess as cosy as possible. We’d always say love you before bed, and that everything would be okay.”
Thankfully, Francesca is now in remission. The life-changing experience prompted Eden to become an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust.
She’s also taken part in the Great North Run for Bloodwise, a UK charity that raises funds into research for all blood cancers.
Belle’s love life might have turned into a living nightmare, but Eden’s couldn’t be more different. The actress has been in a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Ed Lewis, for eight years.
The cute couple first met while they were both pupils at Harrogate Grammar School. Ed, who’s not in the showbiz industry, frequently appears on Eden’s social media account.
Eden looked every inch the proud girlfriend in 2019 when she accompanied Ed to his graduation at Durham University, where he achieved a first class honours degree in geography.
The couple also regularly share gorgeous photographs of their travels together, including summer breaks to Italy and Croatia and a festive getaway in Austria.
Eden’s co-stars are like family (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Her Emmerdale co-stars are like family
Eden is super close to her Emmerdale co-stars and has come to consider many of them as her second family.
Despite there being 23 years between her and Emma Atkins (aka Charity Dingle), Eden says their unbreakable bond makes it feel like they’re the same age and more like sisters.
Eden also regularly hangs out with Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden), Daisy Campbell (Amelia Spencer) and Jessie Elland (who played Chloe Harris).
And in 2023, the four friends started their own book club called Rather Be Reading so they could discuss their favourite reads.
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.
Emmerdale has recast plenty of its main characters in its time. In fact, it’s a pretty regular occurrence in Soapland!
Here’s our round up of all the times Emmerdale has found someone new to play someone old!
Aaron’s been played by two actors, most recently Danny Miller (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale recast: Aaron Dingle
Fan fave Aaron was played by Danny Webb for 19 episodes, before Danny Miller took on the role in 2008.
Newlyweds Amy Wyatt and Matty Barton have both been played by other actors (Credit: ITV)
Amy Wyatt
When Amy Wyatt first came to Emmerdale she was played by Chelsea Halfpenny, who went on to play Alicia in Casualty as well as starring on stage. When Amy returned from her years on the run, she was played by Natalie-Ann Jamieson, who still plays the newly wed.
Angelica is currently played by Rebecca Bakes (Credit: ITV)
Angelica King
As a baby in 2009, Angelica was played by Sophie Firth. Rebecca Bakes, who still plays the teen jailbird, took on the role the same year.
Carly Hope
Carly was played first by Rebecca Ryan, who went on to appear in Shameless, Casualty and as Lydia Chambers in Coronation Street. From 2015 – 2017 Gemma Atkinson played the role.
Dolly Skilbeck
Katherine Barker played Dolly from 1977, before Jean Rogers took over in 1980.
Dotty Thomas
When she was a baby, in 2016, little Dotty was played by Ellerie Carroll. The same year, Tilly-Rue Foster, who still plays Dotty, took on the role.
Aaron Anthony was the second person to play Ellis (Credit: ITV)
Ellis Chapman
Ellis was played by actor Asan N’Jie from 2018 until 2019. When N’Jie was sacked for “unacceptable behaviour”, Ellis went on a trip to Dubai. When he returned he was played Aaron Anthony, who was known for his roles in Midsomer Murders among others. In February 2022, Ellis left again. This time it was reported that Aaron had left due to an alleged racist incident on set.
Elsa Feldmann
Elsa was played by Naomi Lewis twice during the 1990s, and then by Natasha Gray in 1999 and 2001.
Hear’Say star Suzanne Shaw played Eve Jenson (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Eve Jenson
Edna Birch’s sassy great-niece was played by Raine Davison from 2001-2002, and then briefly again in 2006. In 2010, Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw took on the part.
Sally Dexter won praise for her portrayal of Faith (Credit: ITV)
Faith Dingle
Television actress Gillian Jephcott played Faith between 2000 and 2004, before Sally Dexter took on the role in 2017 and made it her own until Faith’s sad death in 2022.
Frankie Smith
Zoe Tate’s lorry-driving ex was played by Gina Aris, then by Madeleine Bowyer.
Gordon Livesy
Aaron’s evil, abusive dad was played by Gerard Fletcher in the early noughties. When Gordon came back into Aaron’s life, in 2015, he was played by Gary Mavers, who was known from Peak Practice.
Jack Sugden was an legendary Emmerdale character who was recast to be played by Clive Hornby (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Jack Sugden
Clive Hornby played Jack Sugden for almost 30 years but when Emmerdale first began, the iconic character was played by Andrew Burt. Andrew appeared in 100 episodes before his alter ego left the village to write a book. Jack returned in 1980.
Jean Hope
Bob’s ex-wife Jean was played by Julie Higginson from 2003-2004. In 2006 she was played by Susan Penhaligon. She’s the real-life partner of Duncan Preston, who played Laurel Thomas’s dad, Doug Potts.
Johnny Woodfield
Little Johnny has been played by Luca Hepworth and Jack Jennings.
Kirin Kotetcha
Johnny’s estranged dad, Kirin, was played by Adam Fielding. In 2020 when Kirin returned to Emmerdale, the role was recast and he was played Rish Shah. He’s since starred in the television series Ms Marvel.
Harvey Rogerson plays Leo (Credit: ITV)
Leo Goskirk
Leo is now played by Harvey Rogerson, who’s had the role since 2014. Harry Whittaker, who shared the role initially with Theo Tasker, before taking it on solo, tragically passed away in 2015. Harry was the nephew of Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker.
Lucas Taylor
Dawn’s son Lucas was played by Dexter Ansell, before Noah Ryan Aspinall took on the role in 2021.
Marian Wilks
Marian, who was the first ever character to be seen on Emmerdale, was played by Gail Harrison and Debbi Blythe.
Matty Barton
Moira’s transgender son Matty is now played by Ash Palmisciano. Before Ash took on the role, Grace Cassidy played Hannah Barton.
Nellie Dingle
Zak Dingle’s ex-wife Nellie was played by Sandra Gough in 1995 – she had played Irma Ogden in Coronation Street in the sixties. When Nellie returned to the village in 2000 she was played by Maggie Tagney.
Pat Sugden
Jack’s first wife, and mum to Robert Sugden, Pat was played by Lynne Dalby in the early days of Emmerdale. When the character returned to the village in 1980, Helen Weir took on the role. Helen married Clive Hornby, who played her on-screen husband and the pair had a son, Thomas.
Fiona Wade played Priya for more than a decade (Credit: ITV)
Priya Kotecha
Priya was played briefly by Effie Woods, before Fiona Wade took over the role from 2011 until she left the village in 2023.
Sugden siblings Victoria and Robert have both been played by other actors before Isabel Hodgins and Ryan Hawley took on the roles (Credit: ITV)
Robert Sugden
One member of the most iconic Emmerdale family, Robert Sugden has been recast twice since Christopher Smith played the role as a youngster. Karl Davies – who has gone on to appear in shows including Happy Valley, Chernobyl and Game of Thrones – played Robert from 2001 until 2009. When Robert came home after time away from the village, he was played by Ryan Hawley, who transformed his character into one half of Robron!
Sarah Sugden
Robert’s adoptive mum Sarah was played by Madeleine Howard until 1994 when Alyson Spiro took on the role.
Sarah Sugden is played by Katie Hill
Sarah Sugden Jr
Named after her adoptive grandmother by dad Andy Sugden, young Sarah was played by Lily-May Bartleby, Lucy Warren, and Amber Child-Cavilli. Sophia Amber Moore took on the part from 2007 until 2016, when Katie Hill took over.
Scott Windsor was played by Ben Freeman (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Scott Windsor
Troublemaker Scott was played by Toby Cockerell when he first arrived in the village with his family. But Ben Freeman took over the role in 1996 becoming one of Emmerdale’s most talked-about cast members.
Sebastian White
Baby Seb was played by Lily Westmoreland and Opie Atkinson.
Terence Turner
Abusive, manipulative Terence was played by Stephen Marchant in the 1980s. When his sister Steph Stokes came to the village in the noughties it was revealed Terence had sexually abused her. Terence eventually came to the village too, played by Nick Brimble.
James Chase now plays Tom King (Credit: ITV)
Tom King
Violent, abusive Tom King has been a regular face in the village over the years. He first arrived in the noughties as a small boy, played first by Jack Ferguson, then by Connor Hill.
When Tom – who then called himself Thomas – came back to Emmerdale as a troubled teenager for a longer stint, he was played by Mark Flanagan.
Now James Chase has taken on the part of Tom, turning him from a tormented teen to a fully fledged, evil abuser who’s making poor Belle’s life a misery.
Tom Merrick
Pat Sugden’s violent first husband was played by Jack Carr, Edward Peel and David Hill.
Isabel is not the first actress to play Vic (Credit: ITV)
Victoria Sugden
Another member of the Sugden family, Victoria was originally played by Hannah Midgeley. After a 2006 holiday in Spain visiting her grandmother, Victoria returned, now played by Isabel Hodgins.
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.
Tom King in Emmerdale is quickly becoming one of the show’s nastiest baddies ever as he torments his new wife Belle Dingle.
It’s hard to believe it’s less than a year since he arrived in the village to take the job at the vet’s, much to the surprise of the Emmerdale residents who knew him when he was younger.
So what’s Tom’s story? Here’s the lowdown on his shocking behaviour towards his wife – and his dodgy family background that means the way he’s treating poor Belle isn’t really a surprise!
Belle is in danger from her husband Tom (Credit: BBC)
Tom King arrives in Emmerdale
Tom, who called himself Thomas back then, arrived in the village in 2004 with his sister Anya. They were Carl King’s kids, with his ex-wife Colleen. And we have to be honest – they were pretty troublesome!
But what do you expect?
In case you’d forgotten, the whole King clan were pretty murky and Carl was the worst of the lot. He was a cheat and he murdered his own dad – who was also called Tom.
Not a nice person!
The older Tom King was also a master manipulator, his son Matthew was ruthless, and even Jimmy – the only surviving one of the four King brothers – has his dark side.
The King family were always trouble! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom and Anya
So Tom and his younger sister came and went a few times, between 2004 and 2009, flitting between visiting their dad and their mum.
Then they came back again for their dad’s engagement to Lexi Nicholls. By 2010, they were staying in the village full time as their mum had to care for their injured stepfather – though they were still up to no good, and caused trouble for Edna Birch, and Ashley and Laurel Thomas.
Later Anya and Tom went to live in Saudi Arabia with their mum. But it wasn’t long before Tom returned, this time for his dad’s wedding to Chas Dingle.
The wedding ended in drama when Chas jilted Carl at the altar, knowing he’d been cheating with Eve Jenson. Carl and Tom both went to to Saudi Arabia.
Thomas and Anya tormented poor Edna (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom King hits out over Carl’s murder in Emmerdale
When Carl was murdered by Cameron Murray, at first everyone – including Chas herself – believed she was the killer. Chas was even in prison for a while. She’d hit Carl over the head with a brick when he tried to rape her – but it was serial killer Cameron who finished him off!
Cain told Tom the truth about his dad. He was upset and blurted out that his dad was a rapist at the funeral service.
It was Edna, who Tom had previously tormented, who gave the troubled teen a shoulder to cry on.
Tom had an outburst at dad Carl’s funeral (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tom King the stalker
In early 2013 Chas Dingle’s life was made a misery by a creepy stalker who was sending her photos of her and Carl in the post, with her eyes scratched out. She was getting dodgy phone calls and generally her life was miserable.
And it turned out her stalker was Tom King, who’d secretly come back to Emmerdale!
He told everyone he wanted revenge on Chas for killing his dad – as everyone still believed to be true at the time – and persuaded his Uncle Jimmy to let him stay in the village.
Tom and Belle part one
Belle had a thumping great crush on Tom and even posed for provocative pics to entice him. They shared a kiss at Sandy Thomas’s 80th birthday party, but Belle’s parents, and Jimmy and Nicola weren’t happy about the romance.
So of course the teenagers found a way to see each other anyway! And when the truth was revealed – thanks to Tom kissing Belle in front of her furious dad, Zak – they decided to run away.
Belle and Tom planned to run away together (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Runaway lovers!
The pair stole Dan’s camper van and fled. But Belle’s mum Lisa was convinced Tom had abducted Belle, and reported him to the police.
When Belle told Tom that his dad was in the van the night he died, he got upset and drove back to the village. Belle went home, but Tom drove away again. The van was found at the airport and later Jimmy discovered Tom had gone back to his mum in Saudi Arabia.
And that was the last we heard of Tom King until he showed up in the village again last year.
If only the Dingles had remembered Tom’s past history with their family, instead of welcoming him into their lives again with open arms, eh?!
Things haven’t worked out as Belle hoped (Credit: ITV)
Tom’s abuse of Belle
Viewers have watched in horror as Tom’s controlling and punishing treatment of Belle has grown increasingly sinister and violent.
He’s turned poor Belle into a shadow of herself, doubting her own instincts and terrified of her husband. And now he knows Belle terminated her pregnancy, he’s planning revenge. He wants to drag her off to the deepest depths of Wales to isolate her even further.
Belle has realised the extent of his abuse, but will she find the courage to act on it?
Who plays Tom King in Emmerdale?
Tom is played by actor James Chase. When he first arrived in the noughties as a small boy, he was played first by Jack Ferguson, then by Connor Hill.
When Tom – who then called himself Thomas – came back to Emmerdale as a troubled teenager for a longer stint, he was played by Mark Flanagan.
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.
The Tate family have been a staple of Emmerdale for 35 years, bringing a touch of class and a lot of drama to the village.
During the past almost four decades, they’ve been at the centre of many of the show’s most explosive storylines.
The Tates came to the Dales in 1989, and their arrival signified a change in direction and feel for the ITV soap. The clan were headed by patriarch Frank, who became the lord of the manor at Home Farm
Frank had five children in total, two of which he knew nothing about.
From his first marriage he had son and heir Chris and daughter Zoe, and then son James, aka Jamie, with second wife Kim.
The Tate matriarch also was father to two sons, Liam Hammond and Caleb Miligan. Both were the products of extramarital affairs and their existence was only revealed years after Frank’s death.
It’s been 27 years since Frank slipped off the mortal coil, but the Tate presence remains strong in Emmerdale – with his grandchildren now flying the flag for the next generation.
Here is a look at who’s who in the brood and how they’re all related.
The head of the Tate family: Frank (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Head of the Tate family in Emmerdale: Frank Tate
Francis ‘Frank’ Ronald Tate, played by Norman Bowler, was the patriarch of the wealthy Tate family and Emmerdale’s first true villain.
He arrived in the village in November 1989 along with his two grown up children, Chris and Zoe, and became the new owner of Home Farm.
His second wife and former secretary, Kim joined them a month later.
Frank was previously married to Chris and Zoe’s mum Jean, who fell ill with cancer in 1984. It was revealed Frank had assisted in Jean ending her own life and was having an affair with Kim at the time of her death.
A successful haulage baron, Frank was rich and powerful, but deeply flawed. He drank too much alcohol and had a violent temper. Frank and Kim’s marriage was tempestuous and littered with affairs and betrayals.
They welcomed baby son James in 1996, but that same year Frank tried to have Kim murdered, only to end up killing her lookalike instead.
Frank suffered a fatal heart attack 1997 after Kim ‘returned from the dead’ and had Frank framed for her ‘murder’. He died on the living room floor at Home Farm, while cold-hearted Kim used her compact mirror to check he’d taken his last breath before reapplying her make-up.
The only remaining Tate: Kim is a soap legend (Credit: ITV)
Kim Tate
Kim Tate (nee Barker), played by Claire King, was Frank’s gold-digging second wife who successfully managed to go from being his secretary to spouse.
Decades younger than her millionaire husband, Kim craved excitement and found that in the affairs she had with gamekeeper Neil Kinkaid and Dave Glover, who perished in a fire at Home Farm.
Kim survived Frank’s abuse and his attempt to kill her, and had him framed for her supposed murder.
Two years after Frank’s death, Kim fled the village with their son James in a helicopter.
During her absence, she served five years in prison while James was sent to boarding school.
Kim made her triumphant return to Emmerdale in 2018 and reclaimed her rightful place as lady of the manor.
She is the only original member of the Tate family left in the village.
Charity soon found out Chris was as manipulative as his father (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The Tate family in Emmerdale: Chris Tate
Chris Tate was born in 1963, and was the first child of Frank and Jean Tate. He was played by Peter Amory.
Once heir to the Tate fortune, Chris was the managing director of the family’s haulage firm.
But life dealt Chris a tragic blow when he was injured in the 1993 plane crash and left paralysed from the waist down.
Chris loathed stepmum Kim, and the feeling was mutual. Although in real life actors Peter Amory (Chris) and Claire King (Kim) were actually a married couple.
Chris had a total of three wives. His first marriage to Kathy Merrick ended after he cheated on her with Rachel Hughes.
Rachel fell pregnant and gave birth to Chris’s son Joseph in June 1995. Chris and Rachel wed in December of the same year, but it lasted less than a year.
In 2001, Chris married Charity Dingle, and the couple welcomed son Noah. But things turned sour when Charity cheated.
Chris then discovered he had an inoperable brain tumour and took in his own life in 2003. He framed Charity for his murder in a final act of revenge.
Zoe was much-loved by villagers and viewers (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Zoe Tate
Village vet Zoe, played by Leah Bracknell, was the only daughter of Frank Tate. She was at the centre of several huge storylines.
She made history as the first lesbian character in a British soap when she came out in 1993.
In 1996, Zoe had a blessing ceremony with girlfriend Emma Nightingale, but then left her for Emma’s ex Susan Wilde. Zoe also had a memorable fling with Chris’s wife, Charity Dingle.
As well as dealing with the trauma of losing her father and brother, Zoe was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
She had a brief romance with Scott Windsor, which resulted in the birth of her daughter, Jean, who Zoe named after her late mother.
After standing trial for attempted murder, Zoe left the village in 2005. She took Jean and Chris’s son Joseph – and blew Home Farm up on her way out!
Revenge was on Liam’s mind (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Liam Hammond
Two years after Frank’s death, Liam Hammond arrived in the Dales. He was revealed to be the late Tate’s illegitimate son.
The character was played by actor Liam Powley. Liam was the product of an affair between Frank and an unnamed woman.
He was born two years before Chris’s birth, which meant he was the eldest of Frank’s kids.
In revenge for his father’s abandonment and his deprived upbringing, Liam kidnapped Chris and held him hostage. Zoe came to Chris’s rescue and ended up fatally shooting Liam.
She and Chris then destroyed all evidence of their half-brother’s connection to the family. They had Liam buried near Frank.
Revenge was also on Caleb’s mind (Credit: ITV)
Caleb Miligan
Just when viewers thought they’d seen the last of Frank Tate’s offspring, along came Caleb Miligan.
The character, played by William Ash, turned up on Christmas Day 2022 and soon revealed himself to be Frank’s long-lost son.
Caleb was conceived during the summer of 1975 when his mum Faith Dingle had an affair with Frank. She gave birth to Caleb in prison and he was subsequently brought up in care.
Caleb viewed the Home Farm empire as his birth right. He set about trying to destroy Kim in a bid to avenge his father’s death.
Ultimately, Caleb‘s plan failed, but he’s got plenty more schemes up his sleeve.
He successfully faked his own death – just like his mother (Credit: ITV)
James Tate
James ‘Jamie’ Tate is the only child of Frank and Kim Tate.
His early years were anything other than stable. His mother faked her own death, his father died when he was just a baby and he was then kidnapped by his nanny Jan Glover.
Jamie left the village in 1999, but spent most of his childhood in boarding school after Kim was sent to prison.
During his 10-year absence, Jamie trained to become a vet. He also married wife Andrea and became a dad to Millie.
The character returned to the Dales in 2019, played by Alexander Lincoln, and proved he was a chip off the old block with his affairs and general manipulative behaviour.
His one-night stand with Gabby Thomas resulted in the birth of his son, Thomas Tate.
After being exposed for poisoning Kim, Jamie followed in his mum’s footsteps by faking his own death.
It was later revealed he was still alive and had been living with Millie and her gran – meaning the door remains open for Jamie to come and cause some further carnage.
Dashing Joe was a welcome arrival (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Joseph Tate
Joseph ‘Joe’ Tate is the son of the late Chris Tate and Rachel Hughes. He spent most of his childhood in boarding school after being shipped off there when he was just a young lad.
Joe returned to the village in 2017 (played by Ned Porteous) under the alias of Tom Waterhouse.
He seduced Debbie Dingle to get revenge on her mum, Charity, who he blamed for his father Chris.s death – but ended up falling for her in the process.
Joe then bought back Home Farm and set about restoring the grand country pile, while making an enemy of a lot of the locals.
In October 2018, Joe was presumed dead after being punched by Cain Dingle. Kim’s right-hand man Graham Foster was ordered to dispose of the body, but ultimately set him free.
Joe is still alive and well and living abroad somewhere off Kim’s money.
Zoe’s only child hasn’t been seen since she was a little girl (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Jean Tate
Jean Tate is Zoe’s only child and Frank Tate’s granddaughter. She was born in January 2003.
She was the product of a one-night stand between Zoe and Scott Windsor. However, the circumstances of Jean’s conception were complicated – Zoe was in the grips of schizophrenia at the time and had no recollection of having slept with Scott.
Jean left the village in September 2005 when Zoe took her and her cousin Joe to live in New Zealand.
She hasn’t been seen since.
He was hiding a secret when he arrived (Credit: ITV)
Nicky Miligan
Much like his half-cousin Joe Tate, Nicky chose not to reveal his true identity when he first arrived in the village. The male nanny, played by Lewis Cope, was secretly working in cahoots with dad Caleb to try and destroy Kim.
Part of that plan involved seducing Kim’s protegee Gaby Thomas. The couple were set to marry, but Nicky’s conscience kicked in on the wedding day and he told Gabby the whole thing was a sham and that he was in fact, gay.
Nicky remained in the village and has since had a romance with Suni Sharma.
Prison reformed Noah (Credit: ITV)
Noah Dingle
Noah Dingle is the son of Chris Tate and Charity Dingle, born in 2004.
Following in a Tate tradition, Noah was born in a prison hospital when Charity was serving time for the murder of his father.
Zoe tried to adopt Noah, and renamed him Christopher after his father. But Charity reclaimed her son and the pair went off to live in Spain.
Noah returned in 2007 and has remained in the village ever since.
His teenage years have not been without drama though – Noah has overdosed on drugs and spent time in prison for a stalking offense.
Kim’s granddaughter hasn’t been seen much lately (Credit: ITV)
Millie Tate
Millie is Frank Tate’s youngest granddaughter.
She’s the daughter of Jamie Tate and his ex-wife, the late Andrea Tate.
Millie’s mum Andrea died in a fire in October 2021 after being attacked and left to perish by murderer Meena Jutla.
The youngster currently lives abroad with Jamie and her gran, Hazel.
Gabby is Thomas’s mum (Credit: ITV)
Thomas Tate
Thomas Tate is the youngest member of the family.
Like so many of the Tates before him, Thomas was conceived from a one-night stand. In this case it was between Jamie Tate and Gabby Thomas.
With Jamie’s current whereabouts unknown, Thomas lives at Home Farm with Gabby, and where Kim can keep a close eye on her grandson.
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.
The Dingle family are the largest and lairiest bloodline in Emmerdale. They burst onto our screens in 1994, a whole 22 years after the soap started.
However, the Dingles have actually been village residents for over 60 years and have lived in Wishing Well Cottage since 1965.
The clan is continually expanding and their family tree can be traced back more than 10 generations – now that’s a whole lot of Dingles!
As Mandy Dingle once famously said: “Being a Dingle has always been about blood.”
Loyalty is everything to this family, who live by their own set of rules, dubbed The Dingle Code. Break that and you’re well and truly out of the circle of trust.
Here is a closer look at the who’s who of the Dingle dynasty, how they’re related and their most memorable moments…
Emmerdale: The first of the Dingle family
The first known Dingle was Abraham, born in 1785. He had children Ebenezer, Harold and Nathaniel. Ebenezer went on to marry Elspeth and have sones Jacob and Methusalah Dingle.
Jacob then married Katherine and they welcomed Benidiah. He married Margaret and they had Isaac Dingle. Isaac was the father of Jonah Dingle, who married Dot Colton and had two sons, Jedediah and Bert.
It’s from Jedediah and Bert the Dingles we know and love today were produced.
Peg was a wheeler dealer like the rest of the Dingle family in Emmerdale! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Jedediah and Peg Dingle and their family in Emmerdale
Jedediah married Peg in 1946. They had six children: Albert, Zak, Shadrach, Ezra, Zebediah and Caleb. Zak, is of course, the most recognisable of these.
When Zak was eight-years old, he was told by Peg his father had died. Zak saw blood on the floor and assumed his mum had killed Jed. However they had just had a row that turned violent and Jed had walked out on the family.
Zak discovered the truth when Peg came clean in 2002. He tracked his father down who was bedridden and dying. Jed revealed there was a Dingle family fortune hidden in Chile and then died.
He was the head of the family until he handed over to Cain (Credit: ITV)
Zak Dingle
Zachariah Bartholomew ‘Zak’ Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell, was the undisputable head of the Dingle clan for almost 30 years.
He arrived in the village on October 20 1994, but was already a notorious name due to his previous career as a bare-knuckled boxing champion.
A pig farmer by trade, Zak is dad to seven children. He and his formidable first wife Nellie Lynch had five – Nathan, the late Butch and Ben, as well as Sam and Tina.
In 1974, Zak cheated on Nellie with his sister-in-law Faith and fathered her son, Cain Dingle.
Zak also had a daughter, Belle Dingle, with his second wife Lisa Clegg.
He had a short-lived third marriage to Joanie Wright before reuniting with Lisa, whom he remained with until her death in 2019.
Actor Steve Halliwell, who portrayed Zak, sadly passed away in December 2023.
Zak’s absence has been explained that he’s living in Scotland, and his character is yet to be killed off.
Zak Dingle: his family and children in Emmerdale
Much-missed and beloved member of the Dingle family (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Lisa Dingle
Zak married Lisa Clegg on January 28 1998. It hadn’t been a smooth courtship after her ex-husband Barry Clegg had tried to blow up the Dingle home!
Lisa was the matriarch of the Dingle family in Emmerdale and mother figure to almost all of them.
Zak and Lisa were shocked when Lisa gave birth to their daughter Belle on Christmas Day 1998 having not known she was pregnant!
They faced many more obstacles during their life together and even divorced in 2016 when he had an affair with Joanie. But he soon reunited with Lisa and they were together until her death in 2019.
Lisa’s other storylines included her rape by friend Derek Benrose and her amyloidosis diagnosis that lead to her death on May 24 2019.
She has since appeared in voiceovers several times, most recently at daughter Belle’s wedding in February 2024.
Lisa was played by actress Jane Cox.
Nathan Dingle
Nathan Dingle is the eldest son of Zak Dingle and Nellie Lynch. He’s never been seen on screen and is rarely spoken about.
It was once suggested that Nathan had shunned his working-class roots which had led to an estrangement between him and the Dingles.
Emily was Butch’s true love (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Butch Dingle
Francis Albert ‘Butch’ Dingle, played by Paul Loughran, was Zak and Nellie’s second son. He was given the childhood nickname ‘Butch’ by Zak, who believed his son was too sensitive.
Butch was a notorious bully and troublemaker during his early years in the village.
He fell desperately in love with his cousin Mandy Dingle, and the pair married in November 1998, but it later transpired Mandy had married Butch only for money.
Butch went on to meet his soulmate Emily Wylie, but tragedy struck in March 2000 when he was fatally injured in a bus crash. Butch got his last wish and married Emily on his deathbed.
He was buried next to his brother, Ben, who had died six years previously.
Zak’s son met a tragic end (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ben Dingle
Benedict Alan ‘Ben’ Dingle was the first Dingle to be seen on screen. A real chip off the old block, Ben was a troublemaker and often on the wrong side of the law.
He met an untimely end in 1994 when he was killed after a brawl with the local doctor’s son, Luke McAllister.
Ben was later found to have a heart defect but that didn’t stop the Dingles blaming Luke for his death.
Ben’s sister Tina even went as far as convincing Luke she wanted to marry him – just so she could jilt him at the altar in an act of revenge!
The most innocent of the Dingle clan (Credit: ITV)
Sam Dingle
Samuel Jonah ‘Sam’ Dingle, played by James Hooton, is the third son of Zak and Nellie and now the longest-serving Dingle.
He arrived in the village in February 1995 straight from the young offenders institute.
More gentle and naive than his brothers, Sam has often found himself dragged into their dodgy schemes and has spent time in prison for his crimes.
In 2005, he embarked on a relationship with farmer Alice Wilson and the following year couple welcomed baby son Samson. Tragedy struck when Alice was diagnosed with terminal cancer and Sam helped his wife die.
Sam struggled with life as a single dad, but got his happy ending when he met Lydia Hart.
Despite her happy marriage, Lydia has suffered much trauma (Credit: ITV)
Lydia Dingle
Sam and Lydia married in 2020 and celebrated afterwards with a good old fashioned Dingle knee’s up.
Their relationship has survived much trauma, including the revelation that she had given birth to a stillborn baby and buried his body when she was just a teen.
Lydia then reconnected with the baby’s father, Craig Reed, in 2023. But in horrifying scenes, Craig raped her. Sam has supported her throughout and they have grown stronger as a couple.
Samson has turned into a right nasty piece of work (Credit: ITV)
Samson Dingle
The only son of Sam, 18-year-old Samson has proved himself to be trouble. He got Amelia Spencer pregnant then refused to have anything to do with the baby. The only reason he then got involved was to blackmail cousin Noah out of money.
He then took Craig’s side when Lydia was raped, desperate not to believe his tech hero was no good. Although he eventually supported Lydia, the betrayal stung.
Currently he has framed Matty Barton for stabbing him. Trans Matty is terrified in prison and the family are divided as they try to get Samson to tell the truth. Will he?
Amelia and Noah are bringing up Esther (Credit: ITV)
Esther Spencer
In October 2022 Sam became a grandad for the first time after Amelia Spencer gave birth to Samson’s daughter, Esther.
Glamorous Tina was also a member of the Dingle family in Emmerdale through and through (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tina Dingle
Tina Dingle, played by Jacqueline Pirie, is Zak and Nellie’s youngest child and only daughter.
She arrived in the village in December 1994 and set about seducing Luke McAllister, who she believed had killed her brother, Ben.
Tina convinced Luke she was carrying his baby then persuaded him to sell his prize possessions to fund their wedding.
It was all a con though, and on the day of the nuptials Tina jilted Luke, who died a few days later in a car crash.
Tina then caught the attention of Home Farm millionaire Frank Tate, who proposed to her on more than one occasion.
But a life as lady of the manor wasn’t for Tina and she departed the Dales on Christmas Day 1996.
She pretty much hasn’t been heard of since.
Things are not great for Belle right now (Credit: ITV)
She made an unexpected arrival to the Dales on Christmas Day 1998 when Lisa gave birth in a pigsty – having not even realised she was pregnant.
Belle’s life has been filled with drama and tragedy ever since.
She’s fallen down a mineshaft, had an affair with a married man and accidentally killed her best friend Gemma Andrews, which sparked major mental health problems and led Belle to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Belle’s world was shattered by the death of her beloved mum Lisa in 2019.
In 2024 Belle married vet Thomas King, but has become the victim of her husband’s coercive control.
The new head of the Dingles (Credit: ITV)
Head of the Dingle family in Emmerdale: Cain Dingle
Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, is the son of Zak Dingle and Faith Dingle (nee Miligan) and the product of their extra marital affair.
He grew up believing that Faith’s husband Shadrach Dingle was his father, only to discover it was actually his uncle Zak.
Cain has numerous half-brothers and sisters via his father. From his late mum Faith’s side, he has sister Chas Dingle and brother Caleb Miligan.
His list of cousins is extensive – and his on/off romantic relationship with one in particular, Charity Dingle, is legendary.
Cain‘s been married to farmer Moira Dingle since 2014.
He’s also a father of four, by four different women.
He and Charity have one daughter, Debbie Dingle, who was born when her parents were teenagers.
Cain has sons Nate Robinson and Kyle Winchester from previous flings, and he and Moira share Isaac Dingle.
Cain and Moira always make it through (Credit: ITV)
Moira Dingle
Cain’s wife, Moira, might not be a Dingle by blood, but she’s certainly part of the family. Moira, played by Natalie J Robb, is one of Emmerdale’s most popular characters.
She came to the village in July 2009, when she and husband John purchased Butler’s Farm from the newly-divorced Andy Sugden.
On the outside, the Bartons were a solid couple, but it wasn’t long before Moira found herself unable to resist the charms of a certain Cain Dingle.
Their affair ended Moira’s marriage to John, who then sadly perished in a car crash. After John’s untimely death, Moira reunited with Cain and went on to marry him in 2014.
Moira and Cain’s marriage has survived betrayals on both sides but they remain one of soap’s most popular partnerships.
A later addition to the Dingle family in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
Nate Robinson
Cain’s eldest son Nate was born on April 27 1991. Cain didn’t even know of his existence until he arrived in the village on April 25 2019 out for revenge. Even then, he didn’t tell Cain who he really was.
Played by Jurrell Carter, Nate got a job as a farmhand, seduced Moira and had an affair with her to pay back his dad for abandoning him. However despite Nate’s mother, Cara Robinson trying to get in touch with Cain, it turned out Faith Dingle had intercepted all correspondence. She revealed it had been because Shadrach was racist and she was trying to protect them.
Cain and Nate eventually began tentatively forming a father/son relationship.
Quite the ladies’ man, Nate eventually settled down with Tracy Metcalfe. They had a baby together, but Tracy’s battle with postnatal depression left them struggling. Nate cheated and she left. However they reunited and married in July 2023.
But just months later Tracy began an affair with Nate’s uncle, Caleb, and it signalled the end of their marriage.
Tracy and Nate are parents to little Frankie (Credit: ITV)
Frankie Robinson
The daughter of Nate and Tracy Robinson, Frankie was born in 2021. She was named after Tracy’s late father, Frank Clayton who had died saving Tracy’s life 18 months earlier.
Kyle confessed to murder in 2023 (Credit: ITV)
Kyle Winchester
Cain’s son by Amy Wyatt, Kyle was born on December 1 2011 in the cemetery. Cain had told her to have an abortion after their one-night stand and 17-year-old Amy kept her pregnancy hidden until she gave birth.
She believed Kyle was stillborn so wrapped him in a blanket and left him in a phone box. But Kyle was found and taken to hospital before being reunited with his mum.
Amy felt too young to be a mum though, and gave Kyle up for adoption. His adoptive parents died in 2013 and he was left in the care of his grandmother Joanie Wright. Financial difficulties caused her to call on the Dingles for help.
Cain paid her to stay away, but they ended up moving in with Zak and Lisa at Wishing Well.
Amy and Cain now share custody, but Cain nearly lost everything when Kyle shot and killed Al Chapman. Cain took the blame for his son and served time in prison until Kyle confessed.
Isaac has recently grown attached to Minty the lamb (Credit: ITV)
Isaac Dingle
Coming into the world on October 2 2017, Isaac is the son of Moira and Cain Dingle. But Moira didn’t even know she was pregnant when she gave birth!
At first it was thought Pete Barton was the father, but then it was revealed to be Cain.
Drunk, layabout and bad dad – he’s a Dingle all right! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Shadrach Dingle and his family in Emmerdale
Shadrach was the second eldest of the Dingle brothers. He was played by Andy Devine, who died in real life in January 2022.
He first appeared on March 30 2000 and stayed with the show until his character was killed off on July 23 2010.
Shadrach was lazy, selfish, useless and an alcoholic. He was dad to Chas and brought Cain up as his own son, despite him being Zak’s.
Shadrach used to beat Cain when he was growing up, though he never laid a finger on Chas. He was also aggressive with wife Faith, who ended up leaving him – and her kids – when she couldn’t take any more.
He also had daughter Genesis after an affair with Shirley Pascoe. But Shirley died in childbirth and devastated, he put Gennie up for adoption.
Shadrach was diagnosed with liver failure and a perforated ulcer in 2010. He was told he must stop drinking or he would die.
But Shadrach couldn’t give up the demon drink and ended up passing out in a river. His official cause of death was drowning, but the autopsy confirmed he would have died hours later anyway due to a ruptured liver.
Dingle landlady and overall loved family member (Credit: ITV)
Chas Dingle
Chasity ‘Chas’ Dingle, played by Lucy Pargeter, is the daughter of the late Shadrach Dingle and Faith Dingle.
She’s the half-sister of Cain Dingle, Caleb Miligan and the late Genesis ‘Gennie’ Walker. Chas is also a cousin to Charity, Sam, Marlon and Belle Dingle.
As the much-loved manager of The Woolpack Chas plays a pivotal part in village life and has lived in Emmerdale for 22 years and counting.
She’s been married three times, her most recent being to village vet Paddy Kirk.
Chas is fiercely protective of her family, but hasn’t always been a model parent. She gave birth to eldest child, son Aaron, when she was just 14-years-old and the pair have had a tumultuous relationship.
Chas sadly lost her first daughter Grace in 2018 when she was just minutes old. She welcomed a second daughter, Eve, in 2019.
Troubled Aaron has had a tough life (Credit: ITV)
Aaron Dingle
Aaron Dingle, played by Danny Miller, is the only son of Chas Dingle and Gordon Livesey.
He experienced a traumatic upbringing and suffered terrible abuse at the hands of his father.
There have been many dark moments in Aaron’s life. These include an attempted suicide, dealing with the suicide of his first boyfriend, Jackson Walsh, covering up the death of Katie Sugden and the imprisonment of his husband Robert Sugden.
Aaron was reunited with estranged half-sister Liv Flaherty, but tragedy struck when she was killed off during the show’s 50th anniversary episodes.
Tragedy meant Grace only lived for 29 minutes, but she will always be part of the Dingle family in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Grace Dingle
Chas fell pregnant by surprise when dating Paddy. However at the 20-week scan the awful news was delivered that their baby girl had bilateral renal agenesis. It meant her kidneys and bladder wouldn’t develop and she wouldn’t survive long after birth.
Chas decided to carry the pregnancy to term and gave birth on October 1, 2018. Baby Grace died in her arms just 29 minutes later. Chas and Paddy have never forgotten their first daughter and regularly visit her grave.
The apple of Chas and Paddy’s eye (Credit: ITV)
Eve Dingle
Chas was stunned to discover she was pregnant again in 2019. She gave birth to Eve Dingle in the toilets at the Woolpack on October 18 2019. Eve was originally played by Billy Clement and Bonnie Clement and is now played by Bella James.
Tragic Faith died in 2022 (Credit: ITV)
Faith Dingle
Shadrach’s wife, Faith, was mother to Cain and Chas. It was revealed after her death she had given birth to another son, Caleb Miligan, when she was in prison. The father was Frank Tate.
Faith abandoned her family in 1986 leaving Chas to take care of her brother and dad.
After some years absence Faith arrived in Emmerdale full-time in 2017. She donated £20,000 to great-granddaughter Sarah’s fundraising page to fund proton beam therapy. But she soon found herself skint and homeless.
Chas and Cain found it tough to forgive their mum, but she soon revealed she’d had breast cancer and a double mastectomy.
Faith left in 2019 after pushing Kim Tate off a balcony. She then returned in 2021, but it was to have a tragic end. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022.
Wanting to end things on her terms, Faith took her own life in October 2022, dying in Cain’s arms after finally reconciling.
Charming a sly, he’s part Dingle all right! (Credit: ITV)
Caleb Miligan
Caleb Miligan, played by William Ash, is the son of Faith Dingle and was conceived during her affair with Frank Tate in the summer of 1975.
Faith gave birth to Caleb when she was in prison in April 1976 and gave him up for adoption.
Growing up in the foster system, Caleb’s childhood was unstable and lonely. He was estranged from his older brother and sister, Chas and Cain Dingle, only reconnecting with them as adults.
Caleb is married to wife Ruby Fox-Miligan, and they share an adult son, Nicky.
A successful businessman, Caleb also has a weakness for women and has enjoyed romantic liaisons with Leyla Harding, Charity Dingle and nephew Nate’s wife Tracy.
More tragedy befell the Dingles when Gennie was murdered, leaving husband Nikhil a widower (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Genesis Walker
Genesis ‘Gennie’ Walker was Shadrach’s daughter by Shirley Pascoe who was adopted by Brenda Walker. She arrived in Emmerdale to meet her biological dad for the first time in April 2008.
Gennie got on well with half-sister Chas and settled into village life. She even had an ill-advised one-night stand with Bob Hope!
After a disastrous relationship with Bob’s son Jamie, Gennie fell in love with Nikhil Sharma. However he rejected her.
But when she started dating someone else, he realised he loved her. They got together, she fell pregnant and they had a daughter called Molly. They then got married.
But tragedy struck when Gennie discovered Cameron Murray was a killer. A car chase saw her crash and although she survived, Cameron suffocated her before the ambulance could arrive.
He wanted Lisa, but Zak won her heart (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Albert Dingle and family in Emmerdale
Albert was the eldest son of Jedediah and Peg. When he arrived in Emmerdale in December 1995 he had been serving time in prison for armed robbery. He was sent to prison again in 1996 for stealing Pollard’s car.
He is the father of Marlon Dingle and Eli Dingle. Albert soon set his sights on Lisa Clegg, but on their wedding day her ex-husband caused trouble and then Zak confessed his love for Lisa. In the midst of all this Albert was chased by the police over an armed robbery and Lisa chose Zak.
He went to prison on numerous other occasions, but did attend the Dingle 10 year reunion in October 2004. However he’s not been seen since.
Albert was played by Bobby Knutt.
Chef Marlon has been married five times (Credit: ITV)
Marlon Dingle
Woolpack chef Marlon Dingle, played by Mark Charnock, is the son of Albert Dingle and his wife Delilah.
He has one brother, Eli Dingle, who lived in the village between 2006 and 2010.
Marlon has been a village resident since 1996.
His enduring friendship with best mate Paddy Kirk is on of soap’s most solid partnerships.
Marlon has a daughter April, from his marriage to the late Donna Windsor. He also shares a son Leo Goskirk with his wife Rhona Goskirk.
Tragically Marlon’s first wife Tricia was killed in a storm in 2004 when The Woolpack was struck by lightening and she was buried in the collapsed pub. He also married Laurel Thomas and Jessie Chapman.
Marlon’s life was nearly cut short in March 2022 when he suffered a sudden stroke. The village stalwart went on to make a recovery and is now back to work in his beloved pub kitchen.
Marlon’s brother was no good (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Eli Dingle
Marlon’s brother, Eli, played by Joe Gilgun, arrived in 2006. A penniless drifter, he had just been released from prison and not even Marlon was pleased to see him.
He managed to make himself useful to the family and started an on-off relationship with cousin Debbie after they embarked on some money-making schemes together.
Eli was regularly disowned by the family – once when he kidnapped his brother Marlon! But he always managed to get back in their good books eventually.
However in 2010 he hit an all-time low when he robbed the B&B. Sam was blamed for the crime, but Marlon knew his brother was guilty. Eli left town after an emotional goodbye with Marlon before he could be arrested.
Rhona and Marlon’s son (Credit: ITV)
Leo Goskirk
Leo is the son of Rhona Goskirk and Marlon Dingle. He was born in 2011, but by that time, Rhona was with Paddy Kirk, so Leo also sees him as a father figure.
Tests during the pregnancy showed Leo had Down syndrome. Rhona went ahead with the pregnancy and Leo came into the world on May 20 2011.
Leo is played by Harvey Rogerson. He took over after actor Harry Whittaker, who played the part until 2014 sadly died aged three.
April has hit the teenage years (Credit: ITV)
April Windsor
Marlon’s daughter with Donna Windsor, April is wise beyond her years, smart and sassy. Born in 2009, Marlon didn’t even know she was his daughter until Donna brough her back to Emmerdale aged five. Marlon reacted badly and initially said he wanted nothing to do with them.
However when Donna revealed she had cancer and was dying, Marlon had to step up. Donna died in 2014 and Marlon took full custody of April.
She had gone through many ‘mothers’ since then! Laurel Thomas, Carly Hope, Jessie Dingle, and now Rhona have all been in her life.
April has endured bullying at the hands of her aunty, Cathy Hope and was the one who found her dad when he had a stroke. April is played by Amelia Flanagan.
Caleb Dingle and family in Emmerdale
Caleb Dingle, another of Zak’s brothers, has only appeared in Emmerdale once on September 26 2000.
He was married to Vera-Lynn and they have a daughter, Mandy.
Bold, brash, but loveable (Credit: ITV)
Mandy Dingle
Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley, is another one of Zak’s nieces. The bubbly beautician first arrived in 1995 and has a been a resident on and off.
She has one son, Vinny, who she adopted after his father and her ex, Paul walked out on them when he was a youngster.
Mandy is currently in a relationship with Paddy Kirk.
He’s every inch a Dingle – even if not by blood (Credit: ITV)
Vinny Dingle
Loveable Vinny, played by Bradley Jake Johnson, was officially made a Dingle when he arrived in the Dales. Abandoned by his gambling addict father, Paul Ashdale, Vinny was brought up by Mandy Dingle.
When Paul returned to their lives, he promised he was a changed man. However, he was still gambling and when Vinny found out he began beating his son.
Paul was killed on his and Mandy’s wedding day and she found out the horrible truth about his abuse.
Vinny found love with Liv Flaherty, but their marriage was cut short when she tragically died in the Emmerdale storm in 2022.
Zebediah Dingle and family in Emmerdale
Another of Zak’s brothers, Zebediah was father to Delilah and Lilith Dingle. He is the head of the Southampton Dingles. He was present at Zak’s wedding to Joanie Wright in August 2016, but it wasn’t clear which Dingle he was on screen.
Marlon and Donna grew close to Lilith’s children (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Lilith Dingle
Marlon’s cousin Lilith arrived in October 2004 for the Dingle celebration, but then dumped her four sons on Marlon while she went off to pursue her singing career.
She collected Luke, Matthew, Mark and Jon, but then returned in 2006 to leave them with Marlon again. She was arrested for armed robbery and Marlon and wife Donna grew close to the boys as they looked after them.
Lilith was freed and took her boys to live in Ireland in 2007, leaving Marlon and Donna upset. Lilith was played by Amanda Hennessy.
She caused plenty of trouble for the Dingle family in Emmerdale! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Delilah Dingle
Del Dingle, played by Hayley Tamaddon, arrived in Emmerdale in July 2005. She pulled up in a flashy red sports car wearing a wedding dress having run out on her wedding to Jay.
A fling with Carl King left her heartbroken when she realised he still loved her cousin Chas. She started dating Paddy Kirk, but Toni Daggert interfered and their romance didn’t last.
Finally she got together with David Metcalfe and they plotted to steal £20,000 from David’s dad, Eric. However when she found out David had cheated on her with Katie Sugden, Del took the money herself and fled the country.
Job Dingle
The only son of Zebediah and Colleen, Job has never been seen on screen. He has been mentioned by Mandy Dingle and would be around 41 years old.
Bert Dingle and family in Emmerdale
The brother of Jedediah, second son of Jonah Dingle and Dot Colton. Born in 1928, Bert created another branch of the Dingle family that we know and love. He had three children with his wife Jessie: Obediah, Elvis and Solomon.
Viewers have never met Bert, though he was mentioned in February 1995. He was invited to a family dinner at the Woolpack, but did not attend.
The best-known of Bert’s children is Obadiah. He is Charity’s dad and was played by Paul Copley. Described as a drunk, but proud man, he and Charity have a very volatile relationship.
Married to Kathleen, she took her own life by jumping off a cliff when Charity was young. Obadiah was religious and lied that she died of cancer to protect her memory. He turned to alcohol to cope and became resentful of Charity.
Obadiah was violent and beat Charity and when she fell pregnant at 13, he gave the child to alcoholic friend Pat Jones to raise as her own.
Soon enough, he threw Charity out. Homeless Charity turned to prostitution to survive. Obadiah rejected her once again when she was in labour with her second child.
Obadiah reached out to Charity in 2016, but Zak decided against giving her the letter.
She decided to track her dad down in 2018 and he revealed he had Parkinson’s. He also revealed he had lied about her mum’s cause of death. Obadiah then blamed Charity for his drink problems, but she refused to take the abuse and stormed out.
Two can play at the tricking game! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Elvis Dingle
Second son of Bert, Elvis had several brief appearances in Emmerdale between 2002 and 2004. He is married to Marilyn and they share two children: Daniel and Brando Dingle.
Elvis originally arrived unexpectedly to drop Peg off at Zak’s, and fled straight after.
He was last seen at a party to celebrate 10 years of Zak living in Emmerdale in May 2004. Though he was mentioned at Moira and Cain’s wedding in May 2014.
Solomon and Zak fought to be King of the Dingle family in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Solomon Dingle
Bert’s third son, Solomon, also arrived in Emmerdale for the 10th anniversary Dingle party. Played by Paul Shane, he only appeared on screen for a week.
Solomon and Zak were fierce rivals for the title of Dingle King. Solomon won by cheating, but eventually abdicated his crown and left the village in October 2004.
She’s been through a lot in her life, but can she finally be happy? (Credit: ITV)
Charity Dingle and her family in Emmerdale
Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, is the daughter of Zak’s cousin Obadiah and his wife Kathleen Dingle.
Legendary for her illegal scams, multiple affairs and on/off romance with cousin Cain Dingle, Charity has been at the centre of the action since her arrival in 2000.
She has been married four times and has as many children.
Charity is the mother of Debbie, Noah and Moses Dingle as well as her long-lost son Ryan Stocks.
Ryan was the product of a rape Charity suffered at the hands of police officer Mark Bails when she was a teenager.
She also has an adopted son, Johnny, from her relationship with his mum, Vanessa Woodfield.
She’s grandmother to her daughter Debbie’s children – Sarah and Jack Sugden.
She’s the wife of Mackenzie Boyd and also the current landlady of The Woolpack.
Charley Webb played Debbie Dingle for almost two decades (Credit: ITV)
Debbie Dingle
Daughter of Charity and Cain, Debbie was adopted by Pat Jones after Obadiah refused to let 13-year-old Charity keep her. She arrived in the village in 2002 as the temporary foster child of Paddy and Emily Kirk.
Cain had no idea she was his at first, but Charity tried to pretend Debbie didn’t exist. However eventually she came round to the idea of getting to know her daughter. When Cain found out, he wanted to be part of Debbie’s life – and it led to him and Charity having an affair.
Debbie gave birth to a daughter aged just 15 after sleeping with 18-year-old Andy Sugden. They had another child together – Jack – in 2012.
Debbie’s romantic history is chequered. She has also dated Andy’s brother Robert, her best friend Jasmine Thomas, Cameron Murray, Pete Barton, Ross Barton and Joe Tate.
Debbie has served time inside for perverting the course of justice after helping cover up Shane Doyle’s murder.
She eventually left Emmerdale in 2019 after Lisa left her a garage in Scotland in her will. She briefly returned in 2020 and was revealed to be the secret lover of Al Chapman. However she left again in early 2021 and actress Charley Webb, who plays her, has no plans to return to the role.
Bad boy come good – for now (Credit: ITV)
Noah Dingle
Charity’s son by Chris Tate, Noah Dingle, played by Jack Downham, was born while Charity was in prison in 2004. She was accused of murdering his father.
Noah was then raised by his aunt, Zoe Tate, but Charity took him back when she was released.
Noah has got into quite a few scrapes – Noah has overdosed on drugs and spent time in prison for a stalking offence. He is currently dating Amelia Spencer and training as an electrician after claiming to be a reformed character.
Young Moses is Charity’s third son (Credit: ITV)
Moses Dingle
Charity’s youngest son, Moses Barton-Dingle, is her child with Ross Barton. Once again, born while Charity was inside, Moses was raised by sister Debbie for his early life.
Charity reclaimed him on her return in 2016 and now shares custody of him with Ross.
Charity’s eldest son, Ryan (Credit: ITV)
Ryan Stocks
Charity had son, Ryan, played by James Moore, in 1990 after being raped by DI Mark Bails. She believed her child had died at birth and fled the hospital, not knowing he was still alive.
He was raised by Irene Stocks, the midwife who delivered him. Ryan has cerebral palsy. He is the landlord of the Woolpack and is in a relationship with Gail Loman. They also have a son, Oscar, who has been adopted.
Ryan and Charity reunited in 2018, but the road has been rocky. However their relationship has improved since.
She may only be young, but she’s been through a lot (Credit: ITV)
Sarah Sugden
The daughter of Debbie Dingle, granddaughter of Charity and Cain, Sarah was born in 2005 when Debbie was just 15 years old. Debbie didn’t think she could cope with being a mum and tried to persuade Emily to look after Sarah.
In 2011 Sarah was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease Fanconi anaemia. She needed a bone marrow transplant to save her life. There were no matches so Debbie and Andy, who were both with other people, decided to have a saviour sibling to save Sarah’s life.
Jack was born in October 2012 and was able to save his sister’s life. However Sarah was then diagnosed with cancer in 2017. She needed to raise money for life-saving proton beam therapy. Her grandmother Faith donated £20,000 and the two became very close.
The therapy was a success, but a rare side-effect saw Sarah diagnosed with heart failure. She had a transplant, but she is aware she may not have a long life expectancy.
Sarah, played by Katie Hill, lives with Charity and her husband Mackenzie Boyd.
Jack Sugden Jr
Born in October 2012, Jack was a saviour sibling for very poorly sister Sarah. He now lives in Scotland with Debbie.
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.
![Editorial use onlyMandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (1280431dn) Carl King [Tom Lister] tells Eve Jenson [Suzanne Shaw] he got a new phone just for her calls 'Emmerdale' TV Programme - 2010](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2024/06/19162633/shutterstock_editorial_1280431dn.jpg)
