Emmerdale aired a special episode this evening, to mark International Women’s Day.
The half-hour programme featured only female cast members and was created solely by female crew.
And what a landmark it was, not least because it also revealed the impending death of a much-loved veteran character…
Yesterday Charity received a call from a mystery someone and in the early stages of tonight’s episode, we saw her visit this person.
Charity revealed that she was there to plan a speech for the character’s funeral… and slowly it was revealed to be Lisa Dingle.
LISA DINGLE!
One of soap’s greatest matriachs is hiding out in Scotland and dying from a terminal heart condition.
We can’t stand it!
Lisa made it very clear to Charity that her devastating news was just between them, so daughter Belle is still in the dark about her mother’s diagnosis.
The Dingle legend wants Charity to keep her secret for the coming weeks so she can have some normality with her loved ones.
Heartbreaking as her return was, actress Jane Cox’s return to the soap was an absolute triumph of class acting.
Jane, who has played the role for more than two decades, said: “Lisa is so close to my heart as she’s been such a huge part of my life for the past more than 23 years.
“So I know I will shed more than a few tears when it comes to filming her final scenes.
“But I’m really looking forward to my return to the show to tell this story and to give the character of Lisa a deserving farewell.
“I will miss her.”
Not nearly as much as fans of the soap will! Twitter was on fire with viewers stunned by the shock return… and the devastating news.
And the tears are set to stream for weeks to come.