EMMERDALE bosses have recast iconic character Tina Dingle after original actress Jacqueline Pirie turned down the chance to return.
The legendary character made a shock arrival in the village in today’s episode for dad Zak Dingle’s funeral – but this time she has a new face.
Emmerdal has recast the role of Tina Dingle after 28 years[/caption]
Brassic actress Samantha Power has taken over the role – but will only appear for a short stint.
Scottish actress Jacqueline Pirie played Tina for her original stint between 1994 and 1996.
And The Sun can exclusively reveal that she was approached to return – but declined.
A source said: “Jacqueline loved her time on Emmerdale and life as an actress but it was a long time ago and she’s moved on.
“She lives in Canada now and has a new career as a novelist and while she’ll always be fond of the show, a return isn’t something she’s interested in.
“These things happen, people move on and recasts happen all the time.”
Fans of the show watched instead as a mysterious woman arrived in the village in today’s episod while the Dingles held Zak’s funeral.
They took his coffin to the Woolpack before raising a glass with the entire village befor carrying his coffin to his final resting place at Wishing Well.
And it was there as they laid him to rest that the woman revealed herself as Tina much to the family’s shock.
“Dear God, this family couldn’t organise its way out of a paper bag,” she said.
“I don’t know what you’re all staring at – did you seriously think I wouldn’t come?”
She received a typically barbed response from the family – but gave as good as she got using gossip Mandy gave her.
“I’m here to pay my respects, like the rest of you,” she said as the service got back on track.
The Dingles played Zak’s favourite songs before burying him and saying goodbye in their own way, and Belle scattered Lisa’s ashes with the coffin to reunite the couple.
However it soon emerged that Tina was planning on taking the house – but her plan was foiled when Lydia produced the will and revealed she’d been cut out.
She promptly shoved Tina into the mud and exposed her ankle tag just in time for the police to arrive to take her away.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
Tina vowed she would be back and actress Lisa Riley has teased that she’s got a big storyline involving Mandy and Vinny coming up.
She recently teased: “It was emotional to film but there is going to be someone coming from the past who will have repercussions for Mandy and Paddy and Vinny especially moving forward.”
