A staple of our screens for over 50 years, Emmerdale has delighted audiences across the country from the day it first aired, all the way back on October 16th 1972.
Originally named Emmerdale Farm, the soap centred on the lives of the Sugdens, a long standing farming family in the fictional Yorkshire village of Beckindale.
Unlike the current schedule, where the soap airs nightly in the prime-time evening slot, Emmerdale first began airing twice a week in the afternoon and was widely described by critics as “sleepy.”
Originally intended to run for just 3 months as a spot of daytime TV filler, the show defied expectations and amassed a huge audience, even despite not having the dramatic and sometimes raunchy plot lines we’ve seen in recent years.
Seeing it’s potential, the show was soon moved to a late afternoon slot as ITV bosses commissioned the series to continue – and by 1977, the trials of the Sugdens, Wilks and Skilbecks were airing in homes around the country in the coveted prime-time evening slot.
Renamed Emmerdale in 1989, the show currently holds the title of the second longest running TV soap behind fellow ITV offering Coronation Street.
Unlike it’s rival show however, none of the original cast are still starring on the series, leading many fans to wonder what exactly happened to them?
From tragedies to an impressive Hollywood career, here’s everything you need to know about Emmerdale’s original stars.
Annie Sugden – Sheila Mercier
The matriarch of the Sugden family and arguably the glue that held them together, was the formidable Annie Sugden, played by Hull born actress Sheila Mercier.
Since joining the soap in 1972, she continued to star as a series regular until 1996, and continued to make brief, sporadic appearances on Emmerdale until 2009, a good 37 years after her original debut.
She sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 100.
Jack Sugden – Andrew Burt
Another character who formed the starting lineup of the show was Jack Sudden, the handsome but estranged son of Annie and her late husband Jacob.
Played by Andrew Burt, the actor lasted just three years on the soap before heading for pastures new in 1976, however the character later returned in 1980, this time played by Clive Hornby, who held the role for the next 28 years.
After leaving Emmerdale, Andrew went on to enjoy a glittering TV career, including roles in Doctor Who, Miss Marple, and even Poirot.
Outside of acting, Andrew was also a qualified counsellor and ran his own successful private practice.
Sadly however, he passed away in 2018 at the age of 73 after battling lung cancer.
Joe Sugden – Frazer Hines
Another of Annie’s sons, the slightly more even tempered Joe Sugden, was also a regular staple of the soap from his introduction in 1972 through to 1994.
Prior to joining Emmerdale, Frazer had already enjoyed a star studded career, and first cut his acting teeth alongside screen legend Charlie Chaplin way back in 19957, when the duo starred in A King in New York.
In addition, Frazer also starred as companion Jamie McCrimmon in Doctor Who alongside the Second Doctor Patrick Throughton for three years before later joining the iconic ITV soap.
Since leaving Emmerdale the star hasn’t slowed down and continued to star in a number of series including Dalziel and Pascoe, Out of Sight and even Outlander, which he helped to inspire.
Away from his showbiz life, Frazer previously dated Michael Caine’s daughter Dominique, and was married twice, first to Irish actress Gemma Craven, and then to waterskiing champion Liz Hobbs.
Currently aged 78, Frazer has previously detailed his battle with colorectal cancer, something he fought in secret for 11 years through fear of being alienated from any potential roles.
Peggy Skilbeck – Jo Kendall
Annie’s married daughter, Peggy was another familiar face to viewers back in the soaps early days, although unlike her co-stars her role on the soap was very brief.
Portrayed by Lincolnshire born actress Jo Kendall, even now, decades later, many fans can recall the sketchy Yorkshire accent used by the star, which firmly cemented her role in many memories.
Since leaving Emmerdale, she portrayed the matron in the brutal borstal drama Scum from 1979, which starred a young Ray Winstone.
Jo also had her own taste of Hollywood in 1992, when she joined Helena Bonham Carter and Anthony Hopkins in the romantic film Howards End.
Sadly she passed away in 2022 at the age of 81.
Sam Pearson – Toke Townley
Paving the way for other family patriarchs, such as Zack Dingle in the current series, Emmerdale’s first family leader was undoubtedly Annie Sugden’s father, Sam Pearson, otherwise known as “Grandad.”
The role was famously held by Toke Townley, who in addition to his acting prowess, was also a skilled flautist.
A private person by nature, the star sadly died from a heart attack during a break while filming in 1984 at the age of 71.
In light of his sad death, Emmerdale writers devised a plot to help write Sam out of the show on a high in a storyline which saw him win first prize at the Village Annual Pumpkin Show, before dying peacefully in his sleep later that night.
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