This week, Mark Charnock, who plays much loved Emmerdale chef Marlon Dingle, looks back on the story of a real First World War chef who lived in the original Emmerdale village. Mark, who has little real life experience of cooking, suddenly finds himself behind the lines and preparing meals for hungry troops, as he uncovers the twists and turns of a cheeky chef who left behind a remarkable legacy. Mark starts to feel the heat as he prepares a special pudding for the finale event in First World War cooking conditions. Can he keep it together and honour this Yorkshire hero?
This week Charlotte Bellamy, better known for playing much-loved Laurel Thomas, heads to Esholt – the village that inspired Emmerdale – to uncover a story of love and loss that played out at the real Woolpack pub during the Great War. Charlotte pieces together the heart-breaking story of the 22-year-old son of the landlord, Joshua Booth. The life and soul of the village, he left behind his sweetheart Winnie when he volunteered to fight. She follows in his footsteps from the real Emmerdale, through military training in the Dales, and finally across the channel to the Belgium front line. Charlotte searches for an answer to the ultimate question – did Joshua return home to Winnie and the Woolpack after the Great War?
This week Zoe Henry, better known as Emmerdale vet Rhona Goskirk, uncovers the astonishing story of a local Yorkshire vet whose life was transformed by the Great War. Aged 55 at the outbreak of war, Joseph Abson was driven by his love of horses to serve in the front line and in the process would go on to change the course of veterinary science. She may be very used to playing a vet, but it’s quite a reality check for Zoe when she’s faced with the real demands of the job. From getting hands on at a dairy farm to observing pioneering equine surgery, Zoe finally faces her fear to prepare a skittish war horse for Emmerdale’s big parade. Charting Joseph’s career from family practice to post war super vet, can Zoe uncover what happened in the battle fields of France to leave him honoured by the king and one of the most distinguished vets in Britain?
This week, Natalie J Robb, who plays feisty farmer Moira Dingle, sets off on the trail of a remarkable Yorkshire city girl who led the way in Britain’s very first women’s land army: 19-year-old Clara Bill. Natalie, who has little experience as a real farmer, suddenly finds herself shearing sheep, ploughing the land, and visiting a working forge as she uncovers the incredible story of a precocious young woman who seized this unprecedented chance at independence. Natalie’s land girl wasn’t content with just worked the fields close to Emmerdale – she had her sights set much higher - but a young woman trying to make her way in a man’s world, was it possible to achieve her dream? Natalie follows Clara through her postings across Yorkshire and beyond to find out.
This week Bhasker Patel, who plays onscreen factory owner Rishi Sharma, follows the dramatic story of Alfred Martlew - a young clerk at Rowntree’s chocolate factory in York, who faced a huge moral dilemma during the First World War. Alfred was just 19 years-old and recently engaged when war broke out, but whilst the factory workers around him signed up in droves to do their bit, Alfred refused. Instead, he became a controversial conscientious objector. Bhasker’s emotional journey takes him from the streets of York to medieval Richmond castle and over the channel to the battlefields of Northern France. Here, Alfred was faced with the biggest decision of his entire life: would he ignore his morals and join the army, or stick to his principals and face the firing squad?
Marking 100 years since the end of the First World War, Emmerdale’s Mark Charnock, Charlotte Bellamy, Zoe Henry, Natalie J Robb and Bhasker Patel all pull together for the grand finale, throwing open the doors of the famed Yorkshire set to host a unique Great War centenary street party. Over the past 5 weeks, Emmerdale 1918 has uncovered stories of real Yorkshire men and women from the unique perspective of the cast of one of Britain’s favourite soaps. From Woolpack chef to the real wartime cook, telly farmer to the real country land girl and Emmerdale vet to the real frontline vet. Inspired by these amazing stories of gallantry, sacrifice and heartbreak from villages in rural Yorkshire, including the actual village that Emmerdale was based on, tonight the soap’s popular faces are taking over the set to host their very own Armistice celebration. Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel Thomas) will be master of ceremonies, Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) will be her new head of catering, in charge of dressing the set is Emmerdale farmer Natalie J Robb (Moira Dingle), Bhasker Patel (Rishi Sharma) is greeting the relatives of these impressive local men and women, and overseeing the guest of honour for the parade is telly vet Zoe Henry (Rhona Goskirk). But there’s one final surprise for everyone – John Middleton, who played village vicar Ashley Thomas for 20 years, is returning to the village for the first time since his character’s death, and he has been tasked with a great responsibility. Inspired by the epic story of First World War vicar, Reverend Richard Whincup, who ministered the parish just next to Esholt, it’s fallen to him to deliver a poignant armistice speech. In a day full of amazement, will our cast be able to pull their huge celebration together, and will John find the right words to do justice to these incredible Yorkshire men and women? Emmerdale’s Armistice day is here.
