Where the original cast of Emmerdale are now – from tragic deaths to 100th birthdays | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Emmerdale, the popular soap opera that first aired in 1972, is now entering its 53rd year.

In this Yorkshire-set drama, characters have come and gone over five decades, but the essence of the village – with its romance, action and humour – has remained unchanged and continues to be popular. So where are the original Emmerdale actors now?

Andrew Burt played Jack Sugden, the estranged son of Annie and her late husband Jacob Sugden. He was part of the show until 1976, before Jack returned four years later and was recast as actor Clive Hornby, who stayed for 28 years.

After his time on Emmerdale, Burt appeared in Poirot, Doctor Who, Warship, The Legend of King Arthur, Campion, Oscar Charlie, I'm Alan Partridge and Doctors. He later became a qualified consultant and ran his own practice before sadly passing away from lung cancer in 2018 at the age of 73.

Sheila Mercier played Annie Sugden, the matriarch of the Sugden family in the 1970s. She played Annie until 1996 and made occasional appearances in the soap opera until 2009.

Emmerdale was Mercier's last acting role before she retired from professional life along with her husband and fellow actor Peter Mercier, with whom she had two children. The popular actress died in 2019 at the age of 100.

Before “Emmerdale”, Mercier appeared in “Nothing Barred” and “Laughter from The Whitehall”.

Annie's second son, Joe, was played by actor Frazier Hines. He remained a part of Emmerdale until 1994 and has since appeared in various television shows and films, such as Lost at Christmas, Out of Sight, Two Days in the Smoke and most recently Doctor Who: The Abominable Snowmen.

The 79-year-old Leeds native began his acting career as a child, starring alongside Charlie Chaplin in “A King in New York.”

Marian Wilks, played by Gail Harrison, was the first character to appear on screen in Emmerdale. She appeared on horseback in the opening scene of the first episode. She had a tumultuous romance with Jack Sugden in the early days of the show and was the daughter of Henry Wilks. She remained in the show for six years.

After leaving the ITV series, actress Gail Harrison played Val in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi and Brelca in the children's fantasy drama Return of the Antelope. She also starred as Joanne in the popular 1989 comedy Only Fools and Horses.

Sam Pearson, known as the grandfather but actually Annie's father, was brought to life by Toke Townley. He tragically died of a heart attack in 1984 at the age of 71 during a break in filming.

Annie's eldest daughter, Peggy Skilbeck, was portrayed by actress Jo Kendall. Although she was married, Peggy Skilbeck was only a regular character on the show for one year.

The talented actress and writer also starred in the 1979 drama “Scum” and the 1992 romantic film “Howards End” with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Her last acting role was in 1999's “Bridge of Dragons” before she passed away in 2022.

Arthur Pentelow, who played retired factory owner and Marian's father Henry Wilks, tragically suffered a heart attack on the way back to Leeds for filming in 1991. He left behind his wife and two children, including son Nicholas, a saxophonist in the band Wizzard.

Ronald Magill, known as pub landlord and village gossip Amos Brearly, was a regular on the show from 1972 to 1995 and appeared in over 1,300 episodes. He died in 2007.