Emmerdale is all about family, and every clan has members who are missing from our screens. But where are these characters currently? And what are the chances of them making a comeback to the soap?
From the Dingles to Tates, Sugdens to Sharmas, here are all the faces we haven’t seen in a while. And there’s even one in there we’re yet to meet…
Emmerdale missing family members: The Dingles
Tina Dingle
Tina’s return to Emmerdale caused a real stir. The long lost Dingle hadn’t been seen for 28 years before she rocked up at her father Zak’s funeral, with a brand new face.
In the weeks that followed, Tina caused a lot of carnage. She tried to lay claim to Zak’s will, then dropped the bombshell that she was Vinny’s real mum and tried to blackmail Mandy over the secret. In the end, Vinny issued Tina an ultimatum – either stay in his life, or take £50k, return Zak’s will and leave Emmerdale.
Tina showed her true colours by choosing money over family and with that she was gone. But is that it? Surely we’re going to see more from Tina in 2025, otherwise what was the point?
Samson Dingle
Sam’s troublemaking son proved himself to a real chip off the block. And following the tradition of many of his family members, he’s currently serving time in prison.
Samson’s downfall came when he formed a friendship with local thug Josh Cope. The pair’s lies put Matty Barton in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and pushed the poor bloke to the brink. After months of living under his control, Samson found the courage to fight back against Josh.
After attacking his former friend, Samson was arrested and sentenced to four years inside. That was last summer, which means there’s a chance Samson will be out next year if he keeps his nose clean.
Nathan Dingle
Only ever mentioned by name once, Nathan Dingle remains something of a mystery. He’s the eldest of Zak’s seven children and the only one we’ve never seen on screen. So what actually happened to him?
The story – as told by Tina Dingle back in 1995 – is that Nathan disowned the Dingles after thinking he was too good for them. Tina claimed her brother was stuck up and ashamed of his roots. She also revealed the family had no contact with him since a fight broke at Nathan’s wedding.
Interestingly the character has never been brought up in conversation again, but that’s not stopped fans speculating how and when Nathan could return to Emmerdale. There’s definitely potential for a story with the long-lost Dingle, and we’d love to know what he’s been up to all these years.
Debbie Dingle
Debbie and her son Jack, who’s now 12, haven’t been seen since they moved up to Scotland in early 2021. They were living with Zak until his death last year, and Debbie was the one who broke the news to the family.
It was thought she might come home for her grandfather’s funeral, but Cain revealed Debbie had decided to stay put. Fans are still hoping that a comeback is on the cards.
There’s definitely a place for Debbie in Emmerdale, particularly with the recent return of her ex-lovers Ross Barton and Joe Tate. These two hate each other’s guts, but we’d love to watch them fight over Debbie. So bring her back and let the games begin.
Emmerdale missing family members: The Fox-Miligans
Nicky has disowned Ruby and Caleb (Credit: ITV)
Nicky Miligan
Emmerdale is all about the Miligans right now, and it’s a shame Nicky is missing from the action.
Caleb and Ruby’s son turned his back on the village – and them -Â last year after growing tired of their toxic games. Nicky is now living abroad with his fella Suni Sharma and has limited contact with his folks. Steph is still on speaking terms with her brother, which gives us hope of seeing Nicky again.
The next few months looks set to be huge for the Miligans, with the ongoing mystery of who killed Anthony. And we’re now wondering if we’ve been hasty in overlooking Nicky as a suspect in his grandfather’s murder? That would be one heck of a twist, but we’re here for it.
Who are the missing members of the Tates in Emmerdale?
Zoe Tate
Village vet Zoe was a central player in Emmerdale back in the 90s. The only daughter of Frank Tate, she made history as the first lesbian character in a British soap.
Zoe’s life was always full of drama. She had a memorable affair with her brother Chris’s wife, Charity, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and fell pregnant during a mental episode.
Her departure in 2005, which saw Zoe blow up Home Farm, has gone down as one of Emmerdale’s best ever exits. For the past 20 years Zoe has been living in New Zealand with her daughter Jean.
Sadly, actress Leah Bracknell died in 2019 from cancer, so unless they recast, we doubt we’ll ever see her again. But surely she’s due an off-screen death and tribute, which could then lead to the return of…
Jean Tate
Jean is the daughter of Zoe Tate and local womaniser Scott Windsor. She was conceived while Zoe was experiencing a schizophrenic episode and she had no memory of her one-night stand with Scott.
Aged only two and half when she emigrated to New Zealand with her mum, Jean would be 22 now. We’d love to see how she’s turned out and if she’s inherited any Tate traits.
Jamie Tate
Kim’s manipulative son Jamie was proof that the apple never falls far from the tree.
He spent most of his early years in boarding school after Kim was sent to prison. He also trained as a vet, married Andrea and became a father to daughter Millie.
But everything went wrong when he decided to join his mum in the Dales. Jamie wrecked his marriage by getting Gabby Thomas pregnant, he also tried to bump Kim off by poisoning her.
Kim wised up to Jamie’s game, so he faked his own death. He was later revealed to be alive and well, living with Millie and her gran Hazel.
Will he come back to cause even more carnage?
Millie Tate
Little Millie would be 10-years-old now, but Kim seems to have forgotten the granddaughter that was once the apple of her eye.
After the death of her mum Andrea, Millie moved away with her grandma Hazel and Jamie. She was last seen in 2022 when Millie and Hazel turned up to Thomas Tate’s christening.
Emmerdale missing family members: The Bartons
Adam Barton
Can you believe it’s been seven years since Adam went on the run after taking the blame for Emma Barton’s murder? He fled the country on the day of his sentencing, abandoning his past for a life as a fugitive. And it was all done to protect his mum Moira – Emma’s real killer.
Fans were teased with the possibility of Adam’s return when Moira paid her son a visit last year. But he obviously feels it’s not yet safe to set foot back in the village.
Actor Adam Thomas has often expressed a desire to revisit the character, so could 2025 be the year he comes home?
Pete Barton
After Ross’s explosive comeback, fans predicted Pete wouldn’t be far behind his brother. But so far he’s kept away.
Pete, who was played by Anthony Quinlan, is best remembered for the love triangle involving him, Ross and Debbie Dingle. He beat Ross to near death after discovering he’d been sleeping with his wife, and ended up in prison.
The brothers eventually realised blood was thicker than water and made up. Ross relocated to Liverpool with girlfriend Rebecca White in 2018, and Pete joined him in 2020.
We assume he’s still there as there’s because Ross hasn’t said otherwise. So will Pete be paying him a visit? Only time will tell.
Emmerdale missing family members: The Sugdens
Robert Sugden
There’s not a year that goes by without rumours of Robert returning to Emmerdale. The slippery Sugden was one of Emmerdale’s most popular characters and his relationship with Aaron Dingle captured the hearts of millions.
The pair’s love story came to an end in 2019 when Rob was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the manslaughter of his sister Victoria’s rapist Lee Posner.
It has since transpired Lee’s brother, Luke, may have been to blame for his sibling’s fatal injuries. Now that sounds like a get-out-of-jail card that needs to be played.
Robert’s return would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons in terms of Aaron’s romance with John. But who doesn’t enjoy a spicy love triangle?
Andy Sugden
There’s been an Andy Sugden shaped-hole in Emmerdale since 2016.
The iconic character was played by Kelvin Fletcher on the soap for an epic two decades. Since quitting the role that made him a household name, Kelvin went on to scoop the glitterball in the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He’s currently starring in ITV reality series Fletchers’ Family Farm alongside wife Liz Marsland and their four children.
Andy time in the village came to a dramatic end after he was framed by Chrissie White for the shooting of her father, Lawrence. Forced to go on the run, Andy fled with the help of Robert and ex-girlfriend Bernice Blackstock.
Still a fugitive, Andy’s whereabouts remain unknown. But he hasn’t been killed off, which keeps the hope of a comeback alive.
Diane Sugden
Diane was the beloved landlady of The Woolpack for 17 years and the life-blood of the village. She was a true survivor – overcoming cancer, a near-fatal stabbing and being fleeced by her conman lover.
Actress Elizabeth Estensen, announced her retirement from acting in 2021. Diane swapped the Dales for a new life in sunny Portugal, and it’s unlikely we’ll see her again our screens. Which is more the pity.
Emmerdale missing family members: The Kings
Sadie King
Superbitch Sadie was an absolute queen and one of Emmerdale’s greatest bad girls. Played by Patsy Kensit, Sadie wrecked havoc for two unforgettable years.
The money-hungry minx was married to eldest King brother Jimmy, but only for his money. She had affairs with Cain Dingle, Robert Sugden and even Jimmy’s own brother Matthew.
Sadie tried various ways to get her greedy mitts on the King family fortune, but ultimately failed. She made her great escape in 2006, and sent flowers for Tom Senior’s funeral in 2007. No one has heard a peep from her since, but we long for a Sadie comeback.
Anya King
Carl King had two kids. Now we know all about his wicked son Tom, but what about daughter Anya?
While never a regular character, Anya has appeared in 67 episodes over the years. She moved to Saudi Arabia with her mum Colleen in 2010, then returned for Carl’s disaster of a wedding to Chas that Christmas.
She was last seen on screen in 2012 after Carl’s murder. When Tom returned to the village in 2023 he revealed he and Anya were no longer close.
Anya would now be 26 and has no family left after Colleen died of a heart attack in 2023. Perhaps she could pop back and give her old Uncle Jimmy a visit.
Scarlett Nicholls
One of the lesser known members of the King clan, Scarlett was the illegitimate daughter of Tom Senior and nurse Carrie Nicholls. Her existence was only discovered in the aftermath of Tom’s murder. As per her father’s will, Scarlett inherited 25 percent of Home Farm.
She lived with big brother Jimmy after Carrie emigrated to Canada. Scarlett had romances with Aaron Dingle and Adam Barton, both of which ended badly.
Scarlett left to join her mum abroad in July 2011, and made a brief return in October 2012. She’s not been spoken about since.
Emmerdale missing family members: The Sharmas
Nikhil Sharma
Socially awkward Nikhil was Jai’s right hand man, and together they ran the sweet factory.
He was also popular with the ladies. After a brief engagement to Maisie Wylde, Nikhil went on to marry Gennie Walker, and they had a daughter, Molly. After Gennie was murdered by serial killer Cameron Murray in 2013, heartbroken Nikhil decided he couldn’t stay in the village. He and Molly moved away to Canada.
He came back for a brief stint in November 2015 when actor Rik Makarem reprised his role. Nikhil proposed to Leyla Harding, but broke the engagement off after realising she didn’t love him. He then flew back to Canada with Molly.
The last mention of Nikhil was in 2017 when he contracted meningitis and Rishi, Bob and Brenda travelled to Canada to help look after him.
Priya Kotecha
Priya is the youngest of the Sharma siblings and spent 14 years in the village. Over that time she battled anorexia, almost died in a fire, had affairs with Cain Dingle and Pete Barton and a short-lived marriage to Rakesh Kotecha.
After accepting an exciting new job in London, Priya and daughter Amba left the Dales in January 2023.
That was two years back and there’s been no word from Priya since. We hope she’s having better luck in her new life.
Read more: The Emmerdale cast of 2025
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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