List of Emmerdale characters (1998)

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The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1998, by order of first appearance.

Contents

Barbara Kirk

Barbara Kirk
Emmerdale character
Portrayed byJudi Jones
Duration1998–2000, 2002
First appearance14 April 1998
Last appearance10 January 2002
Classification Former; recurring
Introduced byMervyn Watson (1998)
Kieran Roberts (1999, 2000)
Steve Frost (2002)
In-universe information
HusbandKenneth Kirk (backstory)
Sons Paddy Kirk
Colin Kirk
GranddaughtersGrace Dingle
Eve Dingle
Nephews Jason Kirk
Ross Kirk

Barbara Kirk is the mother of Paddy Kirk. She appeared on and off from 1998 to 2002.

Barbara is deeply unhappy that her son Paddy has got involved with Mandy Dingle and pays Mandy to stay away from Paddy. When Mandy's family finds out about this, they decide she should marry her cousin Butch and take the money. However, in 2000 Paddy and Mandy marry. When the marriage collapses, she is there to tell him that she told him so.

In 2002, Barbara makes it known that she doesn't approve of Emily Dingle and when they both stand up to her, she departs but continues to plague them with phone calls. Emily later gets a call saying that she is ill but Paddy dismisses it as her crying wolf again. To celebrate their engagement, they plan to go to Ireland on holiday and he decides to visit his mother beforehand. On arrival at her house, she was nowhere to be found and Paddy is later informed by his cousin, Jason that she had died. Pills were found near the body and Paddy believed that she had committed suicide until a coroner's report said it was natural causes.

Laura Johnstone

Laura Johnstone
Emmerdale character
Portrayed byLouise Beattie
Duration1998–2000
First appearance28 July 1998
Last appearance10 August 2000
Classification Former; regular
Introduced byMervyn Watson
In-universe information
OccupationLawyer

Laura Johnstone, played by Louise Beattie, made her first screen appearance in 1998. Laura was a lawyer who began an affair with Chris Tate (Peter Amory). [1] Lynn McPherson of the Sunday Mail described Laura as a "tough-talking character" who became a favourite with Emmerdale viewers when she broke up with Chris. [1] Beattie chose to quit her role in 2000. [1] The following year, McPherson reported Beattie had been inspired by Laura's job as a lawyer and had enrolled at a law school. [1]

After being hired by Lady Tara Oakwell (Anna Brecon), Laura moves into the village. Zoe Tate (Leah Bracknell) asks Laura to be the Tate's legal counselor and she later negotiates the sell off of Home Farm. Laura falls for Zoe's brother Chris, just as he starts to fall in love with his ex-wife, Kathy Glover (Malandra Burrows). Laura and Chris eventually begin a relationship, but she breaks up with him. Laura handles Lady Tara's divorce and she receives a large amount of money. She then leaves the village.

Lord Michael Thornfield

Lord Michael Thornfield
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by Malcolm Stoddard
First appearance22 May 1998
Last appearance16 September 1998
Classification Former; recurring
Introduced byMervyn Watson
In-universe information
Wife Lady Tara Oakwell (1998–1999)

Lord Michael Thornfield, played by Malcolm Stoddard, made his first screen appearance in 1998. Michael is an old friend of Lady Tara Oakwell (Anna Brecon). She turns to him for consolation when she is knocked back by Biff Fowler (Stuart Wade). Michael falls for Tara and eventually proposes to her. [2] Commenting on Michael's proposal speech, Tony Purnell of the Daily Mirror said "Mills & Boon must be supplying his script." [3] Tara accepts Michael's proposal as she is facing mounting debts. They marry on 16 September 1998 and Tara soon learns Michael has a temper. The couple decide to leave the village together and go overseas. Tara and Michael later divorce.

Graham Clark

Tricia Dingle

Tricia Dingle
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by Sheree Murphy
Duration1998–2004
First appearance16 September 1998
Last appearance8 January 2004
Classification Former; regular
Introduced byMervyn Watson
In-universe information
Other namesTricia Stokes
Tricia Fisher
Mother Steph Stokes
HusbandJoe Fisher (2000–2002)
Marlon Dingle (2003–2004)
Grandfathers Alan Turner
Uncles Terence Turner

Patricia "Tricia" Dingle (also Stokes and Fisher) was the daughter of Steph Forsythe (Lorraine Chase) and the granddaughter of Alan Turner (Richard Thorp). Tricia arrived at The Woolpack out of the blue. Alan, who has had troubled relationships with his offspring, didn't recognise her initially, but quickly took her to his heart. She was a big hit behind the bar of The Woolpack, especially with the men of Emmerdale, and could wrap Alan around her little finger. Tricia was a born tease, and immediately caught the attention of Terry Woods (Billy Hartman), especially after she took him breakfast in bed dressed in a skimpy nightie. He was so smitten he took her shopping and forked out for a sexy new dress. This got him into trouble with Alan for missing his shift at the Woolpack. Terry was convinced she felt the same, and was crushed when she rejected his advances.

Tricia tried to help out in the Woolpack but contributed towards its destruction when fireworks she bought set alight and burned down the pub. She slept with both Terry and Scott Windsor (Ben Freeman), but was mortified both when Scott told Terry about their fling and when Terry spilled the beans to the drinkers in the village hall. She felt terribly guilty about her treatment of Terry and was sorry when he came back to the village on Christmas Day only to discover the tragic news about his friend Vic Windsor (Alun Lewis).

Tricia was put out when Alan appointed Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) bar manager instead of her (tried her best to get the job and even put together a CV); had a mud fight with Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley); discovers Bernice’s plan and laughs at her with Mandy; is surprised when Scott cannot perform in bed with her; goes to the vets ball but doesn’t enjoy being groped all night; thinks Bernice made Gavin Ferris up and is a lunatic; sleeps with Gavin behind Bernice's back; comforts Roy Glover (Nicky Evans) before his wedding; tries to get the village to buy The Woolpack; flirts with Chris Tate (Peter Amory) in the hope that he will give her the money; wants to plan her own theme night to prove she is better than Bernice. Hollywood night went well, until a drag queen Marilyn Monroe impersonator turned up and caused a near-riot. Tricia realised she couldn’t make cocktails either, and had to beg Bernice to help out. She decided to get her revenge on Bernice at the summer fair, where they both had rival beer tents. She hitched Bernice’s marquee to Jack Sugden’s car and pulled it down.

Since it became clear Bernice was going to take over the pub, she and Tricia had buried the hatchet somewhat. Tricia wasn’t silly though – she blackmailed Gavin to ensure that she and her granddad could stay on at the pub after the takeover – and she ‘forgot’ to mention that Bernice’s name was spelled wrong on the new pub sign. She was also not keen on Bernice’s feng shui fad – or as she called it, Chop Suey!

Paddy Kirk's (Dominic Brunt) cousin Jason (James Carlton) arrived in the village just before Christmas. They hit it off straight away and she thought finally that he could be the man for her. However, Jason had a secret – he was gay and had promised Paddy he wouldn’t tell anyone. Tricia and Bernice found him out in the most shocking way – at Marlon Dingle's (Mark Charnock) Aladdin night in the Woolpack, the two women found Jason and Gavin kissing in Bernice’s bedroom. Tricia tried to be strong for Bernice, but was wracked with guilt all over Christmas about her own fling with Gavin. Alan told her to stop feeling so sorry for herself.

In December 2000, she married Australian Joe Fisher, the partner of her ex-boyfriend Jason, in a marriage of convenience so he could remain in the country. In 2002, Tricia's mother Steph (Lorraine Chase) arrived and she also started dating Marlon. They got engaged and planned to marry on 16 October. However, when the day arrived, it was full of mishaps, such as chewing gum getting stuck in Tricia's hair and eventually injuring her neck when she turned her head around too fast, so Tricia called it off and Paddy married Emily Dingle in their place. Marlon and Tricia eventually married on Valentine's Day 2003.

Tricia got the chance to work on a Bollywood movie and she and Marlon left the village in April. But, Marlon returned a few days later after problems with getting into the country. During Tricia's absence, he had a one-night stand with his distant cousin Charity (Emma Atkins). Tricia returned in November that year and Marlon constantly acted odd around her, fearing that she will find out. Eventually, he told her and Tricia struggled to forgive her philandering husband. Tricia decided to leave Marlon. In response, Marlon wrote a list of 101 things he loved about her. Once she was ready to leave at New Year, just as a severe storm arrived, Diane Blackstock (Elizabeth Estensen) gave her the list. As she reads through the letter whilst waiting in the bus stop and then in a phone box, she finally realised how much Marlon loved her and returned to the Woolpack. However, disaster struck when a nearby tree was hit by lightning, making Tricia stumble back, while another bolt hit the Woolpack roof and caused a window to collapse down on Tricia and sending the chimney to fall through the ceiling and into the packed pub. Diane and Marlon discovered Tricia lying under the rubble. Soon enough, the emergency services were called and Tricia was airlifted to hospital. Marlon followed suit in Diane's car and him, Steph and Alan arrived at the hospital, where the doctor informed them that Tricia had sustained massive internal injuries and was in a critical condition. While Tricia lay unconscious, she went into cardiac arrest. The consultant summoned Marlon to his office and Marlon was told that Tricia was brain dead and the only option was to switch off her machine. Marlon was conflicted over this decision, until eventually he decided it was for the best. Tricia died and her organs were donated. To this day, Marlon still takes Tricia's death hard and has been mentioned numerous times, most recently in 2013 at Alan's funeral when Marlon gave a eulogy.

Barbara Strickland

Barbara Strickland
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by Alex Hall
Duration1998–2001
First appearance4 November 1998
Last appearance11 September 2001
Classification Former; recurring
Introduced byMervyn Watson (1997)
Kieran Roberts (1999)
Steve Frost (2001)
In-universe information
Occupation Headmistress

Barbara Strickland (also credited as Miss Strickland or Jean Strickland) was the headmistress of Hotten Comprehensive School. She appeared sporadically between 1998 and 2001, when she is killed in a hit-and-run accident on 10 September 2001. The occupants of the car include some of her pupils: Katie Addyman (Sammy Winward), Eve Birch (Raine Davison), Marc (Anthony Lewis) and Ollie Reynolds (Vicky Binns), Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) and Robert Sugden (Karl Davies) and Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth). The driver, Marc Reynolds, is later sentenced to twelve months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. [4]

Note: Although usually referred to by her formal title, the character was addressed by the first name Jean in some early appearances. However, when the character was killed off, she was referred to as Barbara during the police investigation and in her funeral service.

Bernice Blackstock

Stella Jones

Stella Jones
Emmerdale character
Portrayed byStephanie Schonfield
Duration1998–1999
First appearance16 December 1998
Last appearance18 August 1999
Classification Former; regular
Introduced byMervyn Watson
In-universe information
OccupationHairdresser

Stella Jones, played by Stephanie Schonfield, made her first screen appearance in December 1998. Schonfield stated that she was thrilled to land the role of Stella and said the cast were very welcoming towards her. [5] Stella made a mysterious arrival in the village of Emmerdale. She purchased Home Farm and residents believed she was a wealthy widow. [5] However, Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) realised Stella reminded her of her old hairdresser from Leeds and after "one glass of champagne too many", Stella revealed that she was a hairdresser who had won the National Lottery. [5] Of why Stella kept her past a secret, Schonfield said "She came to Emmerdale to be somewhere where nobody would know her. Previous experiences have taught her people can get a bit funny about her being a Lottery winner and treat her differently as a result. She's really keen to make sure that doesn't happen this time." [5]

In July 1999, Steven Murphy of Inside Soap reported Schonfield would depart Emmerdale the following month. [6] He said Stella would leave in "a blaze of glory." [6] Of her exit, Schonfield said "I've had a ball. Stella is having an exciting departure." [6] Stella's departure came after she became sick of the residents of Emmerdale only being interested in her money. Guilt-ridden after an affair with Bernice's fiance Gavin (Robert Beck), Stella flees the village leaving a video message attacking those who tried to benefit from her wealth, also giving Bernice - the only person who refused to ask her for money - the deposit she needs to buy The Woolpack.

During a feature on the "wild women" of Emmerdale, a writer for the Daily Mirror said Stella "went behind the back of "best mate" Bernice by enjoying steamy romps with Gavin in a Jacuzzi, in the bushes and in her four-poster bed. Stella's charms were much in demand in the village, thanks mainly to her Lottery win. The hairdresser who tried to reinvent herself as the lady of the manor fended off the attentions of money-grabbing Eric Pollard and the more honourable intentions of Alan Turner. She has just fled the Dales giving Bernice a parting gift of the deposit to buy the pub. It's enough to make your hair curl." [7]

Belle Dingle

Belle Dingle, initially played by Emily Mather, made her debut screen appearance on 25 December 1998. [8] Belle is the daughter of Lisa (Jane Cox) and Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell). [8] A writer for What's on TV described Belle as a "child genius" and said she "uses her intelligence to think up Dingle-style scams!" [8] In 2005, Eden Taylor-Draper took over the role of Belle from Mather. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Sugden</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Diane Sugden is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Elizabeth Estensen. Since her first appearance in 1999, she has been involved in several high-profile storylines, including her marriage to Jack Sugden and his subsequent death, a battle with colon cancer, the revelation that her ex-husband Rodney Blackstock fathered her sister Val Lambert's son, being held hostage in a siege at the Woolpack, sleeping with Val's husband Eric Pollard, being involved in a helicopter crash which kills Val, being stabbed by Chas Dingle, and a feud with Chrissie White. In September 2021, it was announced that Estensen had made the decision to take a break from acting and her initial final appearance as Diane aired on 29 October 2021. However, the following year, Estensen returned to the role of Diane for a guest stint from 12–20 October 2022 to celebrate Emmerdale's 50th anniversary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Thomas</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Ashley Thomas is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by John Middleton. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 5 December 1996. It was announced on 22 October 2015 that Middleton would be departing as Ashley at the end of his contract after the character was diagnosed with vascular dementia in the episode aired on that day. The contract was later extended in order for the storyline to be extended. It was revealed that Ashley would be killed off at the end of the storyline. Middleton filmed his final scenes in March 2017 after his contract ended, and Ashley died on-screen on 7 April 2017, ending his 21 years on Emmerdale. Ashley appeared in further episodes in home movie scenes, making his final appearance on 13 February 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel Thomas</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Laurel Thomas is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Charlotte Bellamy. She debuted on screen during the episode airing on 3 September 2002. Laurel has been off-screen at various times while Bellamy has taken maternity leave. Laurel is shown to have a thoughtful and caring attitude towards other characters, however, this changed dramatically in 2015 when she developed an addiction to alcohol which often caused her to become violent and aggressive.

Alan Turner (<i>Emmerdale</i>) Fictional character from Emmerdale

Alan Turner is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, played by Richard Thorp. He debuted on-screen on 23 March 1982. Thorp died on 22 May 2013 and the last scenes that Thorp filmed as Alan were aired on 4 June 2013 in a special hour-long episode dedicated to him. It was announced on 12 September 2013 that Alan would be killed off-screen in late October with his daughter Steph returning for his funeral. Alan died in his sleep on 24 October 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chas Dingle</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Chas Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Lucy Pargeter. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 16 October 2002. Chas returned on 21 September 2003. Chas was absent for six months in 2005 when Pargeter took maternity leave. She left temporarily on 5 June 2005, and returned full-time from 13 December 2005. In 2013, Pargeter announced that she would be taking a short break from the show in order to appear in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. Pargeter was briefly recast for one episode on 20 December 2016 to provide an alternative physical appearance to the character through the eyes of Ashley Thomas. Chas departed temporarily once again on 31 March 2017 when Pargeter took a second maternity leave. Pargeter confirmed her return to filming on 31 August 2017. Chas returned on 25 October 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Dingle</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Marlon Dingle is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by Mark Charnock. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 October 1996. For his portrayal of Marlon, Charnock won the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement at the 2023 British Soap Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddy Kirk</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Paddy Kirk is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Dominic Brunt. He has been married four times: to Mandy Dingle in 1999, to Emily Dingle in 2002, to Rhona Goskirk in 2012 and to Chas Dingle in 2020. He has also had several extramarital affairs since arriving, notably with Viv Hope and Tess Harris. His other storylines in the series have included discovering his biological father and dealing with the loss of his child.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernice Blackstock</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Bernice Blackstock is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Samantha Giles. She made her first on screen appearance on 25 November 1998. In September 2012, it was announced Giles had reprised her role and Bernice returned on 20 November 2012 after over eight years away from the programme. In September 2019, Giles announced her departure from the series, with her final scenes airing in November 2019. In April 2021, it was announced that Giles would be returning to the soap, with her return scenes airing on 27 May 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandy Dingle</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Amanda Rose "Mandy" Dingle is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, played by Lisa Riley. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 July 1995 and departed on 28 September 2000. She returned briefly on 16 November 2001 and departed on 26 November 2001. After seventeen years, Riley agreed to reprise the role in late 2018 for a very brief stint, and made her on-screen return on 4 January 2019, and departed after three episodes on 8 January. On 10 July 2019, it was announced that Riley would be returning on a permanent basis, and Mandy reappeared from 12 September 2019.

Jason Kirk is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by James Carlton. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 2 December 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhona Goskirk</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Rhona Goskirk is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by Zoë Henry. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 September 2001. The character was introduced by series producer Steve Frost and she appeared on a recurring basis during 2001 and 2002. She returned to Emmerdale as a full-time character on 31 March 2010, reintroduced by series producer Gavin Blyth. She has been through a diverse range of storylines, including a romantic bond with comedic chef Marlon Dingle ; giving birth to their son Leo Goskirk, who has Down Syndrome; marrying Paddy Kirk ; becoming addicted to painkillers, discovering Paddy's affair with her friend Tess Harris after Tess' death; pursuing a manipulative relationship with Tess's widower Pierce Harris, her near-death in the soap's biggest stunt known as "No Return Week", marital rape at the hands of Pierce; becoming infertile after a farming accident; and bringing Pierce to justice for killing her boyfriend Graham Foster amid feuding with Graham's estranged boss and ex-wife Kim Tate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moira Barton</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Moira Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Natalie J. Robb. The actress successfully auditioned for the role after a call came through her agent. Robb's character and her family were created and introduced to Emmerdale as part of an overhaul of the show by the series producer Gavin Blyth. The Barton family took over the running of Butler's Farm and they were described as being "sexy, modern and contemporary". Robb first appeared as Moira during the episode broadcast on 17 July 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Windsor</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Donna Windsor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was originally played by Sophie Jeffery until 1997. Actress Verity Rushworth took over the role in 1998. She made her first appearance in the show on 31 August 1993. Donna departed on 30 January 2009. At the time of her departure, Donna was the third longest running character on Emmerdale. It was announced on 8 January 2014 that Rushworth had decided to reprise her role as Donna for five months. She returned on 19 March 2014 and it was revealed that Donna was terminally ill with lung cancer. Donna committed suicide on 14 August 2014, after throwing herself and Gary North from a multi-storey car park to her death, but made her final appearance the following day, on 15 August 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McPherson, Lynn (28 October 2001). "Louise quit Emmerdale to become law student". Sunday Mail . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  2. Quinn, Thomas (22 August 1998). "Soap scenes". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  3. Purnell, Tony (28 August 1998). "Last night's view". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  4. Parkin, Lance (2002). 30 Years of Emmerdale. London: Granada. pp. 117, 130, 157, 159. ISBN   0-233-05068-X.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Murphy, Steven (20 March – 2 April 1999). "Luck be a lady". Inside Soap . Attic Futura (UK) Ltd (123): 26.
  6. 1 2 3 Murphy, Steven (10–23 July 1999). "Away from Home". Inside Soap . Attic Futura (UK) Ltd (131): 6.
  7. "The wild women of Emmerdale". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror. 21 August 1999. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Belle Dingle". What's on TV . IPC Media. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.