Child killer Ella Forster (Paula Lane) makes her return to Emmerdale in upcoming episodes, but tragedy soon follows when her car is involved in a crash on a remote country lane.
When Ella first arrived in the village it soon became clear that she was keeping a huge secret. Her behaviour was often odd, and she seemed particularly interested in Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson)’s daughter Leanna (Mimi Slinger), who was murdered by Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu).
This led viewers to question whether Ella might have some connection to the notorious serial killer.
The truth turned out to be equally disturbing. When she was a child, Ella had killed her friend in a fit of jealousy when the other girl tried to end their friendship. Ella had formed a close bond with this girl’s mother who was the nearest thing Ella had ever had to knowing what a loving family was like, having been brought up in squalor and neglect.
This crime had haunted Ella, following her right into her adult life as she moved from place to place only for people to discover the truth and she’d have to move on. She hoped that people in Emmerdale might be understanding, and although Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) was a sympathetic ear, he was very much in a minority.
Ella had been in a relationship with Liam, but when he found out what she’d done he was sickened. Knowing what had happened to his own daughter he couldn’t find any sympathy for Ella at all.
She left the village, apparently for good. But in episodes to be aired soon Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) realises there’s an intruder, and the hooded figure who’s been hanging around the village is revealed to be Ella.
She’s come back to collect the rest of her things, but Mandy is worried about her as she seems vulnerable and fragile. Ella and Mandy were previously good friends and, although she can’t ignore what Ella did, Mandy is conflicted.
Ella leaves, but it’s not long before Sam (James Hooton) discovers her car has been involved in a crash at a remote location. He calls an ambulance.
Emmerdale boss Sophie Roper has confirmed that Ella’s storyline is ongoing, as she told us, ‘Ella will continue in the show, but her past will continue to haunt her.
Her relationship with Liam will remain complicated and we’ll continue to question whether she’ll ever get her happily ever after and can she ever really escape the past that’s led her to this point?’
