40th Anniversary Storyline

[Perdita]

Emmerdale bosses have confirmed details of two celebratory spinoff shows for the soap's 40th anniversary.

As first tipped in July, the long-running drama's first ever live episode will be followed by an ITV2 backstage special featuring exclusive cast interviews and reaction.

Titled Emmerdale Live: The Fallout, the programme will be presented by Stephen Mulhern and broadcast direct from Smithy Cottage.

An official statement teased: "We'll capture the cast as soon as they go off air following their epic hour-long live transmission, and we'll go behind the scenes to reveal the months of preparation and rehearsals involved in producing their finest hour.

"There'll be discussions on breaking storylines, and viewers will be able to interact directly with the show to give us their thoughts and pose any questions."

Meanwhile, a new five-part ITV1 documentary series titled Emmerdale At 40 has also been confirmed for the autumn. Each of the five shows will examine a different aspect of Emmerdale's history, telling the stories behind some of the most memorable plotlines.

An episode titled 'The Headline Makers' will include a look back at the 'Who Killed Tom King?' saga, as well as Laurel and Ashley's cot death storyline.

'The Weddings' will revisit Charity's five weddings, Nicola's frantic dash down the aisle following a day in court, and the moment that Diane's cancer was revealed on her big day with Jack.

Meanwhile, 'The Crimes' will explore Kim Tate's notorious antics, Natasha Wylde's deadly revenge against husband Mark, and Cain Dingle's kidnap of Tom and Sadie King.

'The Affairs' will reminisce over the teenage love triangle between Andy, Katie and Robert, and the story of how Chas and Carl were broken up by village minx Eve.

Finally, 'The Woolpack' will show how Diane almost lost her pub due to conman Charlie in 2010, as well as the building's near-destruction in the 2004 storm.

Emma Atkins, Jeff Hordley, Chris Chittell, Claire King, Jane Cox, Charlie Hardwick, Danny Miller, Deena Payne and Dominic Brunt are among those who have recorded contributions to the Emmerdale At 40 shows.

Others involved include Elizabeth Estensen, John Middleton, Kelvin Fletcher, Ken Farrington, Leah Bracknell, Lucy Pargeter, Mark Charnock, Maxwell Caulfield, Norman Bowler, Sammy Winward, Sheree Murphy and Tony Audenshaw.

Emmerdale reaches its 40th anniversary on October 16.

[alan45]

Emmerdale's series producer Stuart Blackburn has said that he hopes the soap's upcoming mystery death will remain under wraps until broadcast.

Show bosses yesterday (September 6) announced that one character will lose their life in the 40th anniversary live episode, which airs in October.

Speaking at an Emmerdale press conference, Blackburn explained that he wants the identity of the character in question to be kept as a complete surprise for fans on the night.

Blackburn commented: "It's not about being coy or wanting to play any games. As a viewer of soaps and drama, I hate it when I stumble across a spoiler and realise what's going to happen.

"With this episode, if we can have just one surprise - just once a decade - that would be fantastic. Teasers are great, spoilers I personally abhor."

Discussing the planned impact of the death, he continued: "I think it will move people. It will change our characters' lives for a long, long time and then drive the show forward with new stories for the coming months."

Emmerdale's live episode will be shot entirely on-location and run for an hour.

[alan45]

Over the years Emmerdale has been the best at keeping secrets from the spoilers. The speculation is good though as we all know who we would like to see go.

[sarah c]

Over the years Emmerdale has been the best at keeping secrets from the spoilers. The speculation is good though as we all know who we would like to see go.

Carl please to go....

[sarah c]

Over the years Emmerdale has been the best at keeping secrets from the spoilers. The speculation is good though as we all know who we would like to see go.

Carl please to go....

[Glen1]

If the death is someone that will move viewers and affect lives ,may be a popular character , can only think of Sandy . As long as it isn't Moira upside down again in a landrover with that hair filling the cab .

[Perdita]

maybe Betty?

[sarah c]

maybe Betty?

hmm, would Betty's death affect lives? She disappeared for months on her cruise recently and no one noticed

[sarah c]

maybe Betty?

well I hardly noticed at least

[Perdita]

Emmerdale chiefs have revealed that Declan Macey will want to turn his music festival into an annual event.

Home Farm boss Declan (Jason Merrells) has been busy making plans for a live music show for most of the year. It is thought that fans will see the fruits of his labour in episodes airing just before the soap's 40th anniversary week.
Speaking at an Emmerdale press conference about the possibility of another festival in 2013, executive producer John Whiston confirmed: "We have thought about it! I think it probably wouldn't be on the anniversary of the festival, because we are kind of at the end of the festival season now.

"But we're thinking maybe [it could happen] next summer, if Declan makes a bit of money out of this."


Series producer Stuart Blackburn added: "To give even more of a clue, we're storylining at the moment up to January and February - and Declan is planning a festival!"

Last week, it was announced that Emmerdale had staged and filmed its own live festival for the upcoming scenes, with The Proclaimers and Scouting for Girls among the acts. However, this had not always been the plan.

Whiston explained: "We thought about staging our own, and then we thought, 'Why don't we film it at one that's actually happening?'

"The festival was happening at Harewood House, we'd started filming it - and of course like every other festival it got rained off. So we were sort of left without a festival and had to stage our own."

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1.