Perdita
25-02-2010, 06:10
EMMERDALE is being sexed up with a host of new characters and romp-filled storylines to stop it losing viewers to Corrie and EastEnders.
Just Good Friends star Jan Francis is joining the Yorkshire farmland community as a love interest for Rodney Blackstock.
Actor Jeff Hordley - bad boy Cain Dingle - will be joined by real-life wife Zoe Henry, who returns as vet Rhona Goskirk after nine years away.
Former pop star Suzanne Shaw is another sexy new signing. And Cutting It actor Jason Merrells will play a business partner and lover of murderess Natasha Wylde (Amanda Donohoe).
The shake-up comes as Emmerdale struggles in the ratings war.
It got just 8million viewers on Tuesday night, while EastEnders pulled in 11million and Monday night's Corrie got 12million.
An Emmerdale source told TV Biz: "EastEnders and Coronation Street have been stealing the show and we've had enough.
"They're both in their anniversary years. But it does not mean we can't play them at their own game. Sex will be our secret weapon."
The four new characters hit screens in March and April. Bosses are also weeding out characters who have overstayed their welcome.
Both Eli Dingle (Jospeh Gilgun) and Jamie Hope (Alex Carter) are leaving shortly.
Meanwhile Cain and Charity (Emma Atkins) will finally get married in the Spring in a sure-fire ratings winner.
The old favourites came back in big-money deals and held up Christmas ratings single-handedly.
Cain issued a shock proposal to his on-off childhood sweetheart - and cousin.
Despite their affair starting 20 years ago when they conceived daughter Debbie, the pair have never been hitched.
The insider said: "Their wedding will be spectacular.
"It is what everyone wants. Charity has attempted to get hitched four times before in the soap, but never to Cain, her soulmate.
"But as always in Soapland, nothing goes to plan."
After murdering husband Mark Wylde on New Year's Day, Natasha is up for a new romance with Jason's tycoon character Declan.
But it is really his wallet she is in love with.
The insider added: "Natasha and Jason will get it together. But it's not just love Natasha needs - it's cash.
"She's going to be blackmailed by someone very close to her and things could get messy."
Affairs, blackmail, murder and a wedding - it's far from quiet in the country.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2867686/Emmerdale-is-being-sexed-up-with-a-host-of-new-characters-and-romp-filled-storylines.html#ixzz0gWcuqKL2
Just Good Friends star Jan Francis is joining the Yorkshire farmland community as a love interest for Rodney Blackstock.
Actor Jeff Hordley - bad boy Cain Dingle - will be joined by real-life wife Zoe Henry, who returns as vet Rhona Goskirk after nine years away.
Former pop star Suzanne Shaw is another sexy new signing. And Cutting It actor Jason Merrells will play a business partner and lover of murderess Natasha Wylde (Amanda Donohoe).
The shake-up comes as Emmerdale struggles in the ratings war.
It got just 8million viewers on Tuesday night, while EastEnders pulled in 11million and Monday night's Corrie got 12million.
An Emmerdale source told TV Biz: "EastEnders and Coronation Street have been stealing the show and we've had enough.
"They're both in their anniversary years. But it does not mean we can't play them at their own game. Sex will be our secret weapon."
The four new characters hit screens in March and April. Bosses are also weeding out characters who have overstayed their welcome.
Both Eli Dingle (Jospeh Gilgun) and Jamie Hope (Alex Carter) are leaving shortly.
Meanwhile Cain and Charity (Emma Atkins) will finally get married in the Spring in a sure-fire ratings winner.
The old favourites came back in big-money deals and held up Christmas ratings single-handedly.
Cain issued a shock proposal to his on-off childhood sweetheart - and cousin.
Despite their affair starting 20 years ago when they conceived daughter Debbie, the pair have never been hitched.
The insider said: "Their wedding will be spectacular.
"It is what everyone wants. Charity has attempted to get hitched four times before in the soap, but never to Cain, her soulmate.
"But as always in Soapland, nothing goes to plan."
After murdering husband Mark Wylde on New Year's Day, Natasha is up for a new romance with Jason's tycoon character Declan.
But it is really his wallet she is in love with.
The insider added: "Natasha and Jason will get it together. But it's not just love Natasha needs - it's cash.
"She's going to be blackmailed by someone very close to her and things could get messy."
Affairs, blackmail, murder and a wedding - it's far from quiet in the country.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2867686/Emmerdale-is-being-sexed-up-with-a-host-of-new-characters-and-romp-filled-storylines.html#ixzz0gWcuqKL2