An Emmerdale legend is set to make a surprise return on Thursday evening, despite being killed off five years ago.
Lisa Dingle, played by actress Jane Cox, was originally written out of the show in 2019 after the character was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a terminal heart condition.
But she will make a ghostly appearance in the Yorkshire Dales as screen daughter Belle prepares to marry abusive fiancé Tom King.
A source told The Sun: ‘Belle’s facing a horrible future as Tom’s true colors emerge, but her mum Lisa will be there for her in spirit.
Actress Jane Cox has reprised her role in a special way for the surprise appearance.
It really is one of the most poignant moments seen in Emmerdale. Jane was more than happy to make the return in her own special way but sadly she didn’t get to visit the set and reunite with her on-screen daughter in person.’
Cox played the Dingle family matriarch for 23-years before her emotional exit but has since made a handful of brief cameo appearances – albeit in voiceover.
Her latest return comes just two months after the death of actor Steve Halliwell, who starred alongside Cox as screen husband Zak Dingle.
Halliwell, the second longest serving cast member after joining Emmerdale in 1994, passed away in a Leeds hospice on December 15, aged 77.
Speaking at an Emmerdale press event in January, actress Eden Taylor-Draper – who plays daughter Belle – revealed his funeral was conducted the day before her wedding scenes were filmed.
She said: ‘We had the funeral yesterday and all the Dingles went, it was beautiful. Steve is obviously such a big part of our lives and it’s lovely being here on set because he’s still with us in every single moment.’
Halliwell’s family paid tribute to the ‘amazing father and grandfather’ in a heartfelt statement, sharing: ‘He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him.
‘He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.
