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

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From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery. Shipments to the USA & Canada: To be part of a serial drama as iconic as Emmerdale on its 50th birthday is special in itself. What makes it even better is the gorgeous people I get to work with on a daily basis. Dreamy!” 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.' I’m so thrilled to be part of Emmerdale’s iconic 50th celebrations. To be working in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with such an amazing team. Fifty years ago one of my first jobs was playing Sharon Crosswaite on Emmerdale Farm, then a humble lunchtime show, and now here I am again, full circle. I couldn’t be happier.” Years of Emmerdale: The official Story of TV's iconic rural drama was written by Emmerdale stoyliner Tom Parfitt and is due to be published 29 September 2022.

I'm a relatively new viewer of Emmerdale, which made this book about its first half century a very welcome read. The show had humble beginnings as a family farming drama (under the name of Emmerdale Farm), but over the years it has become pure soap. The events that have taken place in the village are astounding (if you thought Midsomer County was a dangerous place to live, this book makes clear that Emmerdale is the deadliest place in the UK). They've definitely got more in the way of shared interests. Leyla was all about weddings and nails. Liam loves Wendy and he likes that she's so interested in the short stories. 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. The root of Emmerdale is brilliant families, like a crochet blanket. We’ve had these family driven characters for so long, and viewers care – they want to know what they’re doing, because we’re in their household night after night. That’s what makes it so terrific. I honestly feel like I’m part of the heart of the programme, and that fills me with pride.' I’m absolutely loving being part of the team. I grew up on Emmerdale so it’s a real honour to be in it especially during its 50th year of being on our screens!”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.

Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton dropped into Home Farm in 2014 as the celebrity guest at the estate’s relaunch I wanted to do creative writing when I was about 18. I got an old-fashioned typewriter and I used to do an hour's worth of writing every single morning for about a year. I was obsessed with novels and really, really wanted to get into it.It’s been a gift, all the way through. I can honestly say, 25 years later, I genuinely get excited to go in every day. It’s a support network, it’s a hotbed of creativity. I used to watch it when I was a little boy, with my grandparents. It’s a little piece of magic in the world.' 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. We see Liam and Wendy kiss while attending an online murder mystery convention. Do they end up sleeping together? 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.

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. Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe Harris has had several big storylines since joining the show and is looking forward to what lies ahead for Chloe. 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." If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking! Where to Find Us

The thing is, if you're going to explore a story like that properly, you have to go through it. Your body becomes tense. You have to short cut your brain into actually feeling like you're going through it. There's no way around it. People sometimes say they don't take the stories home with them, but you do."

Will's wedding to Kim Tate will be a focal point of the 50th anniversary month, but there are sure to be fireworks when Harriet decides it's a good idea to confess her feelings. Absolutely. For me, with the whole Leanna story, it felt like coming home from a funeral every single day when I was finishing work. 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. As a team we are passionate about finding new talent and the right actor for the role. All of these actors have really made their own mark on the show already.”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. Yes – we cut to the next morning in the following episode. We see that they've spent the night in the doctors surgery, where there's a surgical bed! So she's involved because she's getting wrapped up in Will's life, a little too much than she should be. That has an impact on his upcoming nuptials. I’ve been on all the soap sets and it’s the one I find most realistic. I catch myself looking to cross the road because you forget you’re not in a real village. They are proper buildings, proper infrastructure,' says Parfitt who highlights there have been various locations used over the years.