Three Emmerdale legends ‘return to soap from beyond the grave’ with touching village fete scenes

THREE Emmerdale legends are set to ‘return to the soap from beyond the grave’ in touching village fete scenes.

The ITV soap will celebrate a major milestone on Wednesday, May 22 as it airs its 10,000th episode.

To make the occasion, the Emmerdale villagers are holding a village fete, complete with a scarecrow competition.

The residents do their best to create scarecrows in the likeness of current villagers, but fans will be delighted to see a number of iconic former neighbours included too.

In a spoiler picture from the episode, Bob Hope can be seen chatting to Nicola King, who organised the event.

Behind him is a scarecrow resembling Emmerdale legend, Seth Armstrong.

Seth – who was played by Stan Richards – was a fundamental part of the village for over three decades.

He was the Home Farm gatekeeper but famously loved to skive off work.

Seth had an unlikely friendship with Kim Tate, and also a memorable romance with Betty Eagleton.

Stan died in 2005 and Seth was killed off a few months later, passing away on a plane ride back to the UK, which left Betty devastated.

Betty – who was played by Paula Tilbrook – is also honoured in the episode with a scarecrow sitting outside the cafe alongside another show legend, Edna Birch (Shirley Stelfox).

The two scarecrows are dressed in clothes reminiscent of the two women, with Edna’s wearing one of her statement hats.

Betty first arrived in the soap in 1994 and became a much loved character thanks to her busybody nature and love of a gossip with her friends, particularly Edna.

Edna was part of the show for 16 years before her death in 2016, following actress Shirley’s passing in 2015.

It prompted best friend Betty to leave Emmerdale for a new life in Australia shortly afterwards, with actress Paula passing away in 2019.