Spice Girl Mel B popped up as an extra at Leeds station, and in a three-legged drinking race with Angela Griffin of Coronation Street fame, and again at Leeds station in 1994. Throughout October, there have been lots of major storylines planned for the soap’s 50th anniversary. We’ve seen lots of old favourites return and we, sadly, might say goodbye to some village regulars. While Emmerdale has started airing a new romance between Harriet Finch and Dan Spencer, it already seems doomed to fail as Harriet still has feelings for her ex-partner Will Taylor. It’s been great joining the show at such an iconic moment in time! Everyone has been super welcoming and it feels like I’ve been here forever!” Will's wedding to Kim Tate will be a focal point of the 50th anniversary month, but there are sure to be fireworks when Harriet decides it's a good idea to confess her feelings.

In her personal life, Isobel plays guitar and often records covers of pop songs on her social media accounts. Chris Chittel plays Eric Pollard, - in the show for 36 years and is the longest serving cast member (Image: AMY BRAMMALL)'Chris has been in the show for 36 years and is the longest serving cast member. Another great character that’s changed and morphed over the years. He came in a bit of a wideboy bachelor, a social-climbing ladies’ man who was always up for a scam, and trying to con people. He went a good 20 years playing that role in the village and then they brought in this long-lost son David, and his stepson Jacob, and he got together with Val, and suddenly, he’s a family man. There’s always Pollard the rogue, but he’s now part of this generational family with these lovely scenes and so identifiable.' As long as I can remember my Mum never missed an episode and now she watches me in it! Emmerdale is more than an institution of British television, it’s a reminder of home.” Harriet is no Kim Tate but they are both feisty women and able to look after themselves so there will be more fireworks. They will have their moments." Son of Charles and successful solicitor, Ethan Anderson, played by Emile John, followed his father to Emmerdale and after meeting his sister Naomi and boyfriend Marcus has chosen to settle in the village.Each of the actors have been cast by Emmerdale’s Casting Director, Faye Styring, who has been casting the show for seventeen years. Together with her team of four colleagues, Faye is continually looking to nurture new and emerging talent. Some of our best-loved villagers will be in peril and it is safe to say literally the village won’t be the same after this - it will never be the same again. The impact this storm has on peoples’ lives is massive.” Everything you need to know about Britain's most iconic rural drama can be found in this beautifully designed and fact-filled book.

I’m absolutely loving being part of the team. I grew up on Emmerdale so it’s a real honour to be in it especially during its 50th year of being on our screens!” Other families were ushered, such as a new farming clan, the Bartons, as well as the Wyldes at Home Farm, and the business savvy Sharmas. I'm really playing with fire there. But it's last chance saloon, she's got to make her feelings known before he walks down the aisle and that's it. She feels like she’s done all she can at Emmerdale and wants to focus on her music career and make a real go of it. Bosses have pulled out all the stops for the 50th anniversary month and Isobel’s exit will be no different." So she's involved because she's getting wrapped up in Will's life, a little too much than she should be. That has an impact on his upcoming nuptials.Emmerdale is celebrating its 50th anniversary with lots of treats planned for fans and we are on-hand to ensure you don’t miss any of it. Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe Harris has had several big storylines since joining the show and is looking forward to what lies ahead for Chloe. Emmerdale’s major milestone is happening on Sunday, October 16 which marks 50 years to the day since the first broadcast of the ITV soap.

The root of Emmerdale is brilliant families, like a crochet blanket. We’ve had these family driven characters for so long, and viewers care – they want to know what they’re doing, because we’re in their household night after night. That’s what makes it so terrific. I honestly feel like I’m part of the heart of the programme, and that fills me with pride.' To be part of a serial drama as iconic as Emmerdale on its 50th birthday is special in itself. What makes it even better is the gorgeous people I get to work with on a daily basis. Dreamy!” It’s still got the best work ethic and it’s still the most down to earth place, and I know people always say, ‘Oh, it’s like a family’ but it really is. I think it’s because we’re the only one that has the greenery, the rural setting, the beautiful Dales, it just looks different from city soaps. And there’s such a variety of different people because of the setting; there are people from the city, there are country bumpkins and you wouldn’t normally get that on a soap.'Obviously, much of what is being planned is hush-hush but we know storm will be at the focus of the drama. In terms of deaths, we know we'll sadly be saying goodbye to Faith Dingle, played by Sally Dexter, as her cancer battle reaches a tragic conclusion.

As well as a stunt-heavy special episode focused on the major storm ITV will also air a one-off documentary. Reflecting and celebrating on the last 50 years of Emmerdale, the TV special will document how a sleepy daytime afternoon serial about rural folk became the award-winning, hard-hitting drama that we know and love today. Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson explained: “We know one of the things our viewers love is that stunts we pull out of the bag. You can’t do those things in a live. Another big factor is covid. If we suddenly have people test positive the day of the live, for example, we go ‘Jeff is now not available for that big story’ I’m not sure what we’d do.” Past and present cast members will take part in the documentary as they take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how far their characters have come. We’ll bring you more information on when the documentary will air when we have it. Darcy Grey joined the role of sparky electrician Marcus Dean, the son of Rhona’s rapist Pierce Harris, late last year.

Katherine Dow Blyton, who plays Harriet, recently told Digital Spy and other media: "I'm involved [in the anniversary] because Harriet has once again got herself mixed up with men problems. Since 1972, Emmerdale has witnessed 74 weddings, 43 births and 105 deaths. We'll likely see that figure added to in the near future... When episodes are on and how you can watch them? I know some of you know I often trip up and say things I shouldn’t but I’m surrounded by a press team today so I can’t make a mistake. But, it is Emmerdale, there’s normally a murderer lurking round the corner somewhere.” Aside from the name, lunchtime slot and bucolic imagery, there was the theme tune, which is the same arrangement but about five times slower, and admittedly, some of the cliff-hangers, compared to today, are rather tame, such as Annie’s best teapot being broken. It was a nostalgia fest, and I think that’s how Emmerdale was perceived for a good while.' I’ve been on all the soap sets and it’s the one I find most realistic. I catch myself looking to cross the road because you forget you’re not in a real village. They are proper buildings, proper infrastructure,' says Parfitt who highlights there have been various locations used over the years.