Emmerdale is one of the most popular soaps ever to appear on television and has been popular for more than 50 years. What happened to the original cast of the ITV staple? Viewers have watched characters change over the years.
Emmerdale is as famous for its rolling hills and stone walls as it is for its iconic characters who have been part of major storylines since the soap first launched in October 1972.
Before Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley) and Kim Tate (Claire King) set foot in the village, a host of legendary villagers paved the way for the soap’s success. As the ITV programme continues to grip viewers with its dramatic storylines and anniversary specials, The Mirror has taken a look back at the original cast and what happened to them.
Andrew Burt and Jack Sugden
When Emmerdale first aired, Andrew Burt played Jack Sugden. He was Annie’s and her late husband Jacob Sugden’s separated son. He remained on the soap until 1976 before returning to the Yorkshire village four years later when actor Clive Hornby assumed the lead role for an incredible 28-year-stint.
After leaving the Dales, Andrew appeared in a host of renowned shows such as Poirot, Warship, Doctor Who, The Legend of King Arthur, Campion, Oscar Charlie, I’m Alan Partridge and Doctors.
He later obtained a counseling position and established his own practice before tragically passing away in 2018 after battling lung cancer.
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Sheila Mercier and Annie Sugden
In the 1970s, Annie Sugden was the infamous Sugden family’s matriarch. Sheila Mercier, an actress, made an indisputable appearance in the iconic role up until 1996, but she only made one more character appearance until 2009.
Sheila’s final acting role came when she married and had two children with her husband, a fellow actor, Peter Mercier. The adored Hull-born actress passed away in 2019 at the age of 100.
Sheila, played by Claire King as Kim Tate in Emmerdale, was referred to as the “beating heart” of the show.
Meanwhile, Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, told the BBC following her passing: “The great Sheila Mercier has left us. What an iconic character Annie Sugden was. I used to watch it with my grandparents as a boy, so to meet her in later years was a thrill.”
Frazer Hines – Joe Sugden
Frazer Hines, an actor who starred on the show until 1994, portrayed Joe, who was Annie’s second son. He continued to appear in a number of shows and movies after leaving the soap, including Doctor Who: The Abominable Snowmen and Out of Sight, Two Days in the Smoke, and Two Days in the Smoke.
The actor, who was born in Leeds, a 40-minute drive from Emmerdale’s set, began his career far and away from the North of England.
His acting career began with Charlie Chaplin, the father of silver screen king, in A King in New York as a child. Frazer, who turns 80 in 2024, will reprise his role in Doctors.
The actor has a secret cancer battle that he has had to deal with when he isn’t working and has previously expressed his regrets about not having children.
Despite having battled it secretly for ten years since receiving his initial diagnosis of bowel cancer in 1999, he publicly disclosed his cancer in 2010.
He had his lower colon and tumors removed during a lengthy five-hour operation that required extensive removal of them.
Jo Kendall and Peggy Skilbeck
Peggy Skilbeck, Annie’s eldest daughter, was played by Jo Kendall on the soap. Peggy was only a regular Emmerdale Farm character for a year despite having been there at the beginning.
She later appeared in the romantic 1992 film Howards End, which also had Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins, and in the 1979 drama Scum. Before she passed away in 2022 at the age of 88, she had just £8, 000 to her name, according to Liverpool Echo reports. She had played her final acting role in Bridge of Dragons.
Arthur Pentelow and Henry Wilks
Henry Wilks, played by Arthur Pentelow, was a retired factory worker in Emmerdale.
Tragically, the actor suffered a heart attack while driving back to Leeds in 1991 while filming the soap.
Arthur left behind his wife and two children, one of whom, Nicholas, was a saxophonist for the band Wizzard, famous for the song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.
Gail Harrison and Marian Wilks
After riding on horseback in the first scene of the first episode, Gail Harrison’s character appeared in Emmerdale for the first time.
She and Jack Sugden, both of whom were Henry Wilks’ daughters, engaged in a turbulent romance in the show’s early days. Before quitting, Gail played Marian for six years.
The actor later appeared in the children’s fantasy drama Return of the Antelope and Val in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi. In 1989, she starred as Joanne in the well-known BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses.
Toke Townley and Sam Pearson
Toke Townley portrayed Sam Pearson, who is regarded by Emmerdale fans as Grandad despite having the father of Annie.
Sadly, the 71-year-old actor passed away during a heart attack during a filming break in 1984.
Emmerdale is available on ITV and ITVX weeknights at 7:30 pm.
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Source: Mirror
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