Emmerdale's Emma Atkins discusses hopes for soap's 50th special

With Emmerdale set to celebrate its 50th anniversary this October, Emma Atkins has discussed what fans can and can't expect for the special episodes.

Although Emma, who plays Charity Dingle on the soap, admitted the episodes will "big", she doesn't think a live episode is on the cards for the time being.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (March 8), Emma revealed how previous real-time episodes had been "terrifying", before confirming the prospect of more.

"I don't think we're doing a live but we're gonna do something probably bigger and better," she explained. "What that will be I can't actually say because it's a big secret, but it's gonna be big."

ITV

Current talk about what to expect from the special comes after producer Jane Hudson told Digital Spy and other media during a 2022 preview that Emmerdale's anniversary special promises a month-long celebration packed full of drama... and a baby!

"There will be a new baby arriving in Emmerdale before the end of the year," Hudson said.

"I think that's not giving anything away as there are so many female characters in the show, but there will be a new arrival before the year is out.

She added: "There's probably going to be a birth in the anniversary month perhaps! Babies in soaps are either born on programme celebrations or Christmas, so there's going to be one of those happening."

Ken McKay / ITV//ELLEMEN

Elaborating further on the soap's special, Hudson revealed that several storylines playing out through the year will eventually culminate in October's special episodes.

"We might see some old faces returning, we're not sure yet," she said. "I think there is a lot coming up – the focus is really to celebrate Emmerdale turning 50.

"Our focus at the moment is to really build those stories so when we get to our golden month of celebration, we've got secrets that the viewers are desperate to be revealed."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.