50 Years of Emmerdale: The official story of TV's most iconic rural drama

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As long as I can remember my Mum never missed an episode and now she watches me in it! Emmerdale is more than an institution of British television, it’s a reminder of home.” Past and present cast members will take part in the documentary as they take a trip down memory lane and reflect on how far their characters have come. We’ll bring you more information on when the documentary will air when we have it. You can also comment on this article telling us what you’d like to see happen. When is the anniversary? Katherine Dow Blyton, who plays Harriet, recently told Digital Spy and other media: "I'm involved [in the anniversary] because Harriet has once again got herself mixed up with men problems. Each of the actors have been cast by Emmerdale’s Casting Director, Faye Styring, who has been casting the show for seventeen years. Together with her team of four colleagues, Faye is continually looking to nurture new and emerging talent.

After 22 years, the production moved to the Harewood Estate, where a replica of Esholt was constructed, after the village became too busy to film, with congestion and disruption caused by visits from fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the soap’s characters and locations. You can take an official tour of Emmerdale's village. I'm really playing with fire there. But it's last chance saloon, she's got to make her feelings known before he walks down the aisle and that's it. Obviously, much of what is being planned is hush-hush but we know storm will be at the focus of the drama. In terms of deaths, we know we'll sadly be saying goodbye to Faith Dingle, played by Sally Dexter, as her cancer battle reaches a tragic conclusion. While Emmerdale has started airing a new romance between Harriet Finch and Dan Spencer, it already seems doomed to fail as Harriet still has feelings for her ex-partner Will Taylor. It’s still got the best work ethic and it’s still the most down to earth place, and I know people always say, ‘Oh, it’s like a family’ but it really is. I think it’s because we’re the only one that has the greenery, the rural setting, the beautiful Dales, it just looks different from city soaps. And there’s such a variety of different people because of the setting; there are people from the city, there are country bumpkins and you wouldn’t normally get that on a soap.'

In her personal life, Isobel plays guitar and often records covers of pop songs on her social media accounts. Harriet is no Kim Tate but they are both feisty women and able to look after themselves so there will be more fireworks. They will have their moments." As well as a stunt-heavy special episode focused on the major storm ITV will also air a one-off documentary. Reflecting and celebrating on the last 50 years of Emmerdale, the TV special will document how a sleepy daytime afternoon serial about rural folk became the award-winning, hard-hitting drama that we know and love today. Darcy Grey joined the role of sparky electrician Marcus Dean, the son of Rhona’s rapist Pierce Harris, late last year. Some of our best-loved villagers will be in peril and it is safe to say literally the village won’t be the same after this - it will never be the same again. The impact this storm has on peoples’ lives is massive.”

Everything you need to know about Britain's most iconic rural drama can be found in this beautifully designed and fact-filled book.She feels like she’s done all she can at Emmerdale and wants to focus on her music career and make a real go of it. Bosses have pulled out all the stops for the 50th anniversary month and Isobel’s exit will be no different." Emmerdale’s major milestone is happening on Sunday, October 16 which marks 50 years to the day since the first broadcast of the ITV soap. Other families were ushered, such as a new farming clan, the Bartons, as well as the Wyldes at Home Farm, and the business savvy Sharmas. I know some of you know I often trip up and say things I shouldn’t but I’m surrounded by a press team today so I can’t make a mistake. But, it is Emmerdale, there’s normally a murderer lurking round the corner somewhere.”

Spice Girl Mel B popped up as an extra at Leeds station, and in a three-legged drinking race with Angela Griffin of Coronation Street fame, and again at Leeds station in 1994. Son of Charles and successful solicitor, Ethan Anderson, played by Emile John, followed his father to Emmerdale and after meeting his sister Naomi and boyfriend Marcus has chosen to settle in the village. It’s a life-changing experience to work with such a good ensemble team. There are still people involved in the show that I was with on the first day, there are no airs and graces, no one’s above anyone else-it’s the best formula for getting the job done.' Emmerdale was intended to fill a lunchtime slot for only 13 weeks - which equates to 26 episodes. It moved to being broadcast in the evening, where it has remained, from 1990. The ITV programme was originally filmed in the real-life village of Arncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales before moving to Esholt in West Yorkshire. Today's Emmerdale village is filmed close to Harewood: the 300-acre Harewood estate was leased and planning permission for an entire village set was granted (Image: ITV)Through his research, Parfitt noted a consistent response when asking cast, crew or fans what it is they love about Emmerdale-it’s the setting. As he notes, unlike other soaps constrained to a square or street, Emmerdale’s location is beautiful and vast.But it now seems the 21-year-old actress wants to make a switch, going full-time with her music career after covering everything from Abba to One Direction's Harry Styles on her YouTube channel. Storylines escalated, too. There had been affairs in the past, but now there were literal rolls in the hay. Also, as we’ve previously reported, Isobel Steele looks set to quit the ITV soap after starring as Liv Flaherty on screen for six years. According to The Sun, Isobel's final scenes will be broadcast later this year, with her character tragically killed off.