The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1997, by order of first appearance.
Lyn Hutchinson | |||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Sally Walsh | ||||||||||
Duration | 1997–2000 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 8 January 1997 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 16 February 2000 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||
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Lyn Hutchinson, played by Sally Walsh, made her first appearance on 8 January 1997. Walsh said receiving the role of Lyn was "like coming home in a way" because she had previously worked with Steve Halliwell (Zak Dingle) and Paul Fox (Will Cairns). [1] Louise Oswald of The People dubbed Lyn and Kelly Windsor (Adele Silva) Emmerdale's "terrible twosome" and compared them to Coronation Street's Battersby sisters. [1] Oswald also stated, "Kelly and Lyn are the original sweet-faced kids with a frightening wild streak. Parents watching the show see what they get up to and start wondering what their own daughters are doing. And young soap fans love to see them up to the sort of tricks they wouldn't dare try themselves." [1] Walsh's younger sister Amy Walsh joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2014 as Tracy Shankley. [2]
Lyn taunts Kelly Windsor about her relationship with teacher, Tom Bainbridge (Jeremy Turner-Welch), causing the two girls to fight and forcing Tom to separate them. Despite this, Lyn and Kelly later become friends. Lyn bullies Emma Cairns (Rebecca Loudonsack) about her teenage pregnancy. She dates Roy Glover (Nicky Evans) and Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), who she then cheats on with Scott Windsor (Ben Freeman). Lyn breaks up with Marlon on his 25th birthday. Lyn and Scott start a relationship, which ends when she discovers Scott has been having an affair with Kelly, who is his stepsister. Disgusted by this, Lyn ends her relationship with Scott and leaves the village.
Barry Clegg | |||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Bernard Wrigley | ||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||
First appearance | 30 January 1997 | ||||||
Last appearance | 27 January 1998 | ||||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||
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Barry Clegg, played by Bernard Wrigley, made his first appearance on 30 January 1997. [3] Barry was introduced as the estranged husband of Lisa Clegg (Jane Cox). Despite the couple being separated, Barry lived in an out building on the same farm as Lisa. He was "an irritation" to Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell), who was in love with Lisa. [3]
Barry is an eccentric, who builds a space rocket. Marlon (Mark Charnock) and Butch Dingle (Paul Loughran) accidentally cause it to launch early while fighting, and it enters the Dingle's barn and explodes. Barry tries to stop Lisa from marrying Albert Dingle (Bobby Knutt), but is forcibly ejected from the church, leading to Albert's brother Zak to declare his feelings for Lisa. Months later, Barry competes against Zak for a busking pitch and he shows off his pedal powered microwave on a television show filmed in the village. Barry returns with a wedding present for Zak and Lisa's wedding. Although, they tell him he cannot come to the service, he attends Zak's stag night and lends him some money for the alcohol for the reception.
John Millar of the Daily Record branded Barry's space travel ambitions as "a laugh." [4]
Dee Pollard | |||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Claudia Malkovich | ||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||
First appearance | 13 February 1997 | ||||||
Last appearance | 7 April 1998 | ||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||
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Dee Pollard (née de La Cruz) was the former wife of Eric Pollard and she appeared from February 1997 until April 1998.
Eric Pollard flew to the Far East looking for love and found it with Filipino student Dee de la Cruz in a Manila restaurant. His initial interest was sex, but two weeks later he proposed and the couple made plans for Dee to follow Eric back to Britain. When she arrived in 1997, dressed in a miniskirt and skimpy coat, and wearing high-heels, the locals in Emmerdale were curious. They were shocked when she announced that she was Eric's fiancée. But the unlikely relationship continued and Dee became Mrs Pollard in a May registry-office wedding. Dee left Emmerdale in April 1998 after discovering that her mother had died and Eric had kept this hidden from her. Dee returned home to the Philippines. Her marriage with Eric was annulled in 2001.
Will Cairns | |||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Paul Fox | ||||||||||
Duration | 1997–1999 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 27 February 1997 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 27 January 1999 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||
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William "Will" Cairns arrived in Emmerdale in February 1997 with his family as the second child and only son of Tony and Becky Cairns. One of his main storylines was when he was kidnapped by, Fiona Mallender, the daughter of a soldier his father had served with who wanted to avenge her father's death on a training exercise, which she blamed Tony for. Will left the village in January 1999, joining the rest of his family in Germany after his father was injured in a climbing accident.
Emma Cairns | |||||||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Rebecca Loudonsack | ||||||||||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||||||||||
First appearance | 27 February 1997 | ||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 26 August 1998 | ||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||||||
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Emma Cairns arrived in Emmerdale in February 1997 with her family as the youngest child and daughter of Tony and Becky Cairns, heavily pregnant. She gave birth to her daughter Geri a month later. Her father Tony wanted her to have Geri adopted and Emma initially agreed. However, she changed her mind when she bonded with her baby daughter but this didn't last. Gradually, Becky found herself looking after Geri more and more and so Geri was put up for adoption after all.
The father was later revealed to be Greg Cox, the ex-boyfriend of her sister Charlie. This led to Charlie leaving, only a few months after arriving. Her parents left for Germany in April 1998, with Emma joining them in the Summer.
Becky Cairns | |||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Sarah Neville | ||||||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 27 February 1997 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 30 April 1998 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||
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Rebecca "Becky" Cairns arrived in Emmerdale, where she grew up when she was young, in February 1997 with her family. Becky had a lesbian fling with vet Zoe Tate. After her affair with Zoe was exposed, Becky left with her husband Tony for Germany in April 1998 in an attempt to patch up her marriage.
Charlie Cairns | |||||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Sarah Graham | ||||||||||||
First appearance | 27 February 1997 | ||||||||||||
Last appearance | 30 July 1997 | ||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||||
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Charlie Cairns arrived in Emmerdale in February 1997 with her family. She is the eldest of Tony and Becky Cairns' three children. When her younger sister Emma gave birth to a baby a month later, she was devastated to learn her boyfriend, Greg Cox, was the father and this led to her departure in July.
Tony Cairns | |||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Edward Peel | ||||||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 13 March 1997 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 22 April 1998 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||
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Anthony "Tony" Cairns arrived in Emmerdale in March 1997 following the rest of his family after retiring early from the army. When his youngest daughter Emma gave birth to a baby girl who she named Geri at the young age of 13, Tony wanted her to have Geri adopted, to which Emma initially went along with. However, she defied her father and changed her mind when she grew close to her baby daughter. Tony left with Becky for Germany in April 1998 after he is offered a new job.
Geri Cairns | |||||||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Georgina Annett (1997) Anna Cunningham (1997) | ||||||||||||||
First appearance | 31 March 1997 | ||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 18 November 1997 | ||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||||||
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Geri Cairns was born to 13-year-old Emma Cairns, who was fathered by her sister, Charlie Cairns' boyfriend, Greg Cox. Initially, Emma's father, Tony Cairns advised her to give Geri up for adoption, which she originally agrees with, but changes her mind after she bonds with her. However, in August 1997 she does give Geri up for adoption. In November 1997, Geri's grandmother, Becky Cairns goes to Geri's foster home to bring her home, but Emma insists that it was her decision and giving Geri up was best for both of them. After the revelation that Greg was the father of Geri, Charlie broke up with him and disowned Emma, leaving the village.
Kirsty Hutchinson | |||||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||||
Portrayed by | Anne Marie-Jowett | ||||||||||
Duration | 1997–1998 | ||||||||||
First appearance | 15 May 1997 | ||||||||||
Last appearance | 20 August 1998 | ||||||||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||||
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Kirsty Hutchinson is the younger sister of Lyn Hutchinson (Sally Walsh) and the daughter of Heather Hutchinson (Siobhan Finneran) and granddaughter of Jed Outhwaite (Tony Melody). She was also friends with Emma Cairns. After her mother quit her role as a barmaid at The Woolpack, she moved to Hotten with her.
Greg Cox | |||||||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||||||
Portrayed by | Danny Seaward | ||||||||
First appearance | 16 July 1997 | ||||||||
Last appearance | 24 July 1997 | ||||||||
Classification | Former; guest | ||||||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||||||
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Greg Cox was the boyfriend of Charlie Cairns, who fathered her sister, Emma Cairns' daughter Geri. When Charlie discovered this, she kneed him in the groin and broke up with him, leaving Emmerdale after. Geri was put up for adoption by Emma, therefore it can be assumed that Greg has played no role in Geri's upbringing.
Jo Steadman | |
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Emmerdale character | |
Portrayed by | Julie Peasgood |
First appearance | 21 August 1997 |
Last appearance | 29 October 1997 |
Classification | Former; recurring |
Jo Steadman was a biker and short-term girlfriend of Alan Turner. Jo wanted Alan to sell The Woolpack and travel with her to America. Alan told her that he had built his life in Emmerdale. He told Jo to live her dream and that he would wait for her. Jo never returned.
Lulu Dingle | |||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||
Portrayed by | Dee Quemby | ||||
Appears in | 10 September 1997 | ||||
Classification | Former; guest | ||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||
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Lulu Dingle was a relative of the Dingles, who arrived in Emmerdale for the ill-fated wedding of Albert Dingle (Bobby Knutt) and Lisa Clegg (Jane Cox). Before the wedding ceremony, she flirted with Ned Glover (Johnny Leeze), claiming she was psychic. She offered Alan Turner (Richard Thorp) a reading for a round of drinks, but he politely declined. It is unknown how Lulu is related to the other Dingles in Emmerdale and hasn't been referenced since her appearance.
Doug Hamilton | |||||
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Emmerdale character | |||||
Portrayed by | Jay Benedict | ||||
First appearance | 2 October 1997 | ||||
Last appearance | 23 December 1997 | ||||
Classification | Former; guest | ||||
Introduced by | Mervyn Watson | ||||
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Doug Hamilton, played by Jay Benedict, made his first appearance on 2 October 1997. Doug is a businessman, [5] who puts in an offer for the golf course, while "wining and dining" Kathy Glover (Malandra Burrows). [6] Kathy later learns Doug is married and their relationship ends. [7]
Zak Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Steve Halliwell. He first appeared on 20 October 1994. Halliwell initially joined the show as part of the Dingle family and was only initially supposed to appear for a few episodes, but has become a key part of the soap since his introduction. He has been nominated for several awards for his portrayal of Zak. Some of Zak's storylines have included his wife Nellie divorcing him in 1997, marrying Lisa Clegg in 1998, having a daughter, Belle in 1998, the death of his son, Butch in 2000, Lisa being raped in 2011, assaulting his son Cain and leaving him temporarily paralysed in 2011, suffering a mental breakdown in 2012, trying to control his rebellious daughter and dealing with the death of Lisa. Halliwell died on 15 December 2023, with Zak having made his final appearance on 27 June 2023. On 2 July 2024, it was announced that Zak would be killed off in the programme with a funeral as a tribute to Halliwell.
Lisa Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Jane Cox. Lisa's storylines include being raped by her colleague Derek Benrose, becoming a parent in later life, assaulting a police officer, suffering an angina attack, dealing with her daughter's psychosis and discovering that her husband Zak has fallen in love with their lodger Joanie Wright, which led to their divorce after 18 years of marriage. On 7 May 2018, the character left the village and Emmerdale confirmed Cox was taking a sabbatical from the show. Lisa returned on 8 March 2019, and revealed that she had been diagnosed with amyloidosis. Cox then announced that she had quit her role, and that Lisa would be killed-off. Lisa made her final on-screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 24 May 2019. Cox briefly returned for voiceovers on 6 June 2019 and for several more in October and November 2020 and February 2024.
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 to 20 October 2022 to celebrate Emmerdale's 50th anniversary.
Sam Dingle is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by James Hooton. He made his first appearance in the episode broadcast on 14 February 1995.
Cain Dingle is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Jeff Hordley. Cain made his first appearance on 30 March 2000, and in 2006, he was written out of the series when Hordley left the soap; however, the option for a return was confirmed, which occurred when Hordley returned to the cast in February 2009. Cain's main storylines have focused on discovering his "uncle" Zak Dingle is his father; his relationship with his cousin Charity Dingle ; discovering he is Debbie Dingle's father; his affair and subsequent relationship with Moira Barton ; being attacked in a whodunit storyline where his assailant was eventually revealed to be his father; being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm; supporting his nephew Aaron Livesy after discovering Aaron was sexually abused by his father Gordon Livesy as a child; reuniting with his and Chas' mother Faith Dingle ; his relationship with local vicar Harriet Finch ; building up a relationship with his children; being blackmailed by DI Malone to do drug runs for him; his feud with Al Chapman and taking blame for Al's murder to protect his younger son Kyle who was responsible for killing Al.
Eric Pollard is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Chris Chittell. He made his first appearance in the soap on 30 September 1986. Having appeared continuously since, he is currently the longest-serving actor and the longest-serving character in the history of the soap. The character originally served as the show's villain, but this has been noticeably toned down in recent years, particularly since Eric's marriage to Val Lambert and the introduction of his long-lost son, David Metcalfe.
Shadrach Dingle is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Shadrach Dingle was played by Andy Devine whose character debuted during 2674th episode of Emmerdale which aired on 30 March 2000. Since early 2010, the character appeared occasionally on an episodic basis after Devine felt he could not keep up with the busy schedule. The character, who had alcohol-induced liver disease, was killed off on 23 July 2010 after collapsing into a river and drowning whilst attempting to retrieve some beer cans. He was written out of the show due to the actor's retirement at age 68. Shadrach made an unannounced return in a flashback to Cain's childhood on 17 November 2017.