Emmerdale’s original cast now – from tragic d.e.a.t.h.s and secret cancer battle to Charlie Chaplin link
Emmerdale has been on screens for more than 50 years and is one of the most well-loved soaps around. Viewers have watched characters come and go over the decades - but what happened to the original cast of the ITV staple?
Emmerdale Farm’s original cast members in 1972(Image: Yorkshire Television)
Emmerdale is as famous for its rolling hills and stone walls as it is for its iconic characters who have been part of major storylines since the soap first launched in October 1972.
Before Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley) and Kim Tate (Claire King) set foot in the village, a host of legendary villagers paved the way for the soap’s success. As the ITV programme continues to grip viewers with its dramatic storylines and anniversary specials, The Mirror has taken a look back at the original cast and what happened to them.
Jack Sugden – Andrew Burt
Andrew Burt played Jack Sugden on Emmerdale when it first aired. He was the estranged son of Annie and her late husband Jacob Sugden. He was on the soap until 1976 before making a comeback to the Yorkshire village four years later with actor Clive Hornby taking over the role for an incredible 28 year-stint.
Frazer Hines as Joe Sugden, Frederick Pyne as Matt Skilbeck, Jo Kendall as Peggy Skilbeck, Andrew Burt as Jack Sugden, Sheila Mercier as Annie Sugden and Toke Townley as Sam Pearson back in the 1970s(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock )
After leaving the Dales, Andrew appeared in a host of renowned shows such as Poirot, Warship, Doctor Who, The Legend of King Arthur, Campion, Oscar Charlie, I’m Alan Partridge and Doctors.
However, he later qualified as a counsellor and ran his own practice before sadly passing away following a battle with lung cancer in 2018.
Annie Sugden – Sheila Mercier
Sheila Mercier lived until she was 100 years old (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Annie Sugden was the matriarch of the infamous Sugden family back in the 1970s. Actor Sheila Mercier played the iconic role until 1996, but she made the occasional appearance in character until 2009.
The soap was Sheila’s final acting role before she retired alongside her husband – and fellow actor – Peter Mercier, with whom she had two children. The beloved Hull-born star d.i.e.d in 2019 at the age of 100 years old.
Claire King, who plays Kim Tate in Emmerdale, described Sheila as the soap’s “beating heart”.
Meanwhile, Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, told the BBC following her passing: “The great Sheila Mercier has left us. What an iconic character Annie Sugden was. I used to watch it with my grandparents as a boy, so to meet her in later years was a thrill.”
Joe Sugden – Frazer Hines
Actor Frazer Hines in character as Joe Sugden(Image: TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Joe, who was Annie’s second son, was portrayed by actor Frazer Hines who worked on the show until 1994. Since leaving the soap, he went on to appear in a mix of shows and films such as Out of Sight, Two Days in the Smoke, and most recently, Doctor Who: The Abominable Snowmen.
The star, who hails from Leeds which is a 40 minute drive from the set of Emmerdale, started his career many miles away from the North of England.
His career began as a child in A King in New York alongside silver screen royalty Charlie Chaplin. Frazer is now 80 years old, and reprised his role in Doctors in 2024.
Away from work, the star has suffered a secret cancer battle and has previously opened up on his regrets about not having children.
He went public about his cancer in 2010, despite having battled it secretly for 10 years since his initial diagnosis with bowel cancer in 1999.
He underwent an extensive five-hour surgery where much of his lower colon and the tumours were removed.
Peggy Skilbeck – Jo Kendall
Jo Kendall played Peggy Skilbeck in the show’s first-ever episode(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Jo Kendall played Annie’s eldest daughter, Peggy Skilbeck, on the soap. Despite being there at the start, Peggy was only a regular character on Emmerdale Farm for a year.
Following her brief stint on the soap, she went on to star in the 1979 drama Scum and the romantic 1992 film Howards End, which featured Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Her final acting role was in Bridge of Dragons in 1999 before her d.e.a.t.h in 2022, aged 88, with just £8,000 to her name, Liverpool Echo reports.
Henry Wilks – Arthur Pentelow
Actor Arthur Pentelow in character as Henry Wilks in television soap Emmerdale Farm
Henry Wilks, played by Arthur Pentelow, was a retired factory owner in Emmerdale.
Tragically, in 1991, the actor suffered a heart attack while driving back to Leeds for filming scenes for the soap.
Arthur left behind his wife and two children, one of whom, Nicholas, was a saxophonist for the band Wizzard, famous for the song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.
Marian Wilks – Gail Harrison
Gail played Marian for six years on Emmerdale (Image: REX/Shutterstock )
Gail Harrison’s character was the first to be seen in Emmerdale after appearing on horseback in the opening scene of the inaugural episode.
She had a tumultuous romance with Jack Sugden in the early days of the show and was the daughter of Henry Wilks. Gail played Marian for six years before calling it quits.
The star went on to play Val in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi and Brelca in the children’s fantasy drama Return of the Antelope. She also had a role in the popular BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses as Joanne in 1989.
Sam Pearson – Toke Townley
Sam Pearson was part of the start of Emmerdale when the characters attended a funeral (Image: Yorkshire Television)
Sam Pearson, known by Emmerdale views as Grandad despite being Annie’s father, was played by Toke Townley.
The actor sadly passed away from a heart attack during a filming break in 1984 at the age of 71.
