WITH a cast as large as Emmerdale it can be hard to keep track of who’s leaving, returning and joining the Dales.
Here’s your guide to all the coming and goings of the ITV soap’s cast members in 2020…
Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) – leaving
Emmerdale fans were devastated when Vanessa discovered her bowel cancer diagnosis earlier this year while being held hostage by creepy Pierce Harris.
Regardless of whether she survives her health battle, Vanessa will be written out soon as actress Michelle Hardwick is expecting a baby in October.
It’s not yet clear how Vanessa’s cancer storyline will unfold, but fans have been left fearing that she’ll be killed off in order to facilitate Michelle’s exit.
And the star hardly reassured viewers when she said she had always known what the ending for Vanessa’s cancer storyline would be.
She told Radio Times: “I won’t say which way it goes, but I was told straight away.
“As soon as [Emmerdale’s executive producer] Jane Hudson brought me up, she told me the storyline and the outcome.”
Pierce Harris (Jonathon Wrather) – leaving
Creepy Pierce stunned Emmerdale viewers when he turned out to be the mystery culprit behind Graham Foster’s death at the beginning of this year.
The poisonous man had been jailed for raping wife Rhona Goskirk on their wedding day, but used his early release to murder Graham and follow Rhona around the village – with nobody noticing.
His efforts to get Rhona back in his clutches culminated in a dramatic showdown that saw her trick him into confessing the murder and put him back where he belongs – behind bars.
Doug Potts (Duncan Preston) – leaving
Doug departed from the village in February 2020 after getting an offer of a lifetime from ex-villager Betty Eagleton to live in Australia.
Doug – who knew he was getting on a bit – decided to live in the moment and packed his bags and left for pastures new.
But fans were left confused by the unrealistic storyline and pointed out that visa restrictions would have stopped him leaving quite so speedily.
Pete Barton (Anthony Quinlan) – leaving
Farmer Pete also bid farewell in February 2020 after feeling like a spare part with his ex-partner Tracy and her new boyfriend Nate.
Actor Anthony Quinlan became part of the Emmerdale cast in 2013 as unlucky-in-love Pete but decided to quit to pursue other acting projects.
Pete was involved in a number of memorable storyline over the years and had a few rolls in the hay with Debbie Dingle, Rhona Goskirk and Moira Barton – but left the village single.
Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) – leaving
Fan favourite Graham Foster was bludgeoned to death in January in a dramatic whodunnit still impacting a number of characters – including Marlon Dingle and Graham’s ex Rhona – in Emmerdale to this day.
Graham had just turned his life around following a toxic relationship with Kim Tate and was set for a new start abroad with Rhona – but her ex Pierce was having none of it and stopped Graham in his tracks.
Andrew Scarborough joined the cast in 2017 and slowly managed to turn half of the village against him.
When he was murdered, several villagers had motives for killing him.
Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) – returning
Aaron returned in March 2020 for the triple christening of babies Theo, Harry and Eve after a two month break from the village, and was looking particularly handsome in a suit.
He had taken himself off to stay with family in Scotland for a while to recover from a traumatic few months.
Viewers had watched Aaron spiral after his husband Robert was banged up for killing Victoria’s rapist Lee and then demanded a divorce.
Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) – returning
Zak Dingle also returned for the triple christening in March alongside Aaron after departing in 2019 to visit Debbie in Scotland.
Fans had been anticipating actor Steve Halliwell’s comeback ever since he was spotted filming on set last month.
It was revealed that Steve had been taking a break from the show following a heart operation.
Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) – returning
Charley Webb has left the village to go on maternity leave after giving birth to her third child with co-star Matthew Wolfended in July.
Emmerdale are yet to confirm Debbie’s return, but it’s possible she might make a comeback some time in 2020.
However, the star revealed in January that she had “no plans” to return to the ITV soap after her maternity leave is over.
DI Malone (Mark Womack) – arriving
DI Malone has been ruffling feathers in Emmerdale ever since he arrived on scene to investigate the shooting of Nate Robinson.
After blackmailing Will Taylor into joining his dodgy gang, the corrupt detective set his sights on Cain and Billy and bullied them into doing his dirty work.
He then set his sights on Will’s girlfriend – and now fiancee Harriet – and has been having an affair with the vicar.
Malone is played by Mark Wormack, who also starred in BBC1 cop drama Liverpool 1.
Paul (Reece Dinsdale) – arriving
Mandy Dingle found herself being haunted by her past when her former partner Paul arrived in the village and demanded to see his son Vinny.
Paul then complicated matters by pretending to be a bloke called ‘Alex’ at the scrapyard where Vinny works in order to get to know him.
Tension came to a nasty head when Vinny discovered that ‘Alex’ is actually his father Paul.
Paul is played by actor Reece Dinsdale, who’s probably best known for his role as Gail’s doomed husband Joe McIntyre in Corrie.
Restaurant owner Ricky (Max Bowler) – arriving
Official spoilers have revealed Emmerdale will be graced by the arrival of restauranteur Ricky next week.
Ricky’s arrival spells trouble for Rhona Goskirk and Nate Robinson as he invites Moira – who has no idea Nate is involved in the restaurant deal – to their business meeting.
Ricky also ruffles Cain’s feathers when he starts to flirt with Moira.
Will Ricky become a permanent fixture and go head to head with Cain to fight for Moira’s attention?
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/soap-opera/where-are-the-other-eastenders-ben-mitchells-now/
