Emmerdale viewers were sad to hear the beloved character of Annie Sugden had died after watching tonight’s episode.
Vic Sugden broke the devastating news, as she received a phone call while chatting with Marlon Dingle about her relationship with Luke.
The chef, who was a grandchild of Emmerdale matriarch Annie, explained why she had decided against pursuing a romance with Luke.
However, a phone call from a mystery caller interrupted the conversation, as she turned her back to Marlon to take in the news.
With shock crossing her face, she revealed: “Our gran’s died. It’s Annie – she’s dead.”
Soap legend Annie Sugden passed away on this evening’s Emmerdale (Image: ITV)
A legendary Emmerdale castmember, Sheila Mercier, who played Annie, passed away last December at the impressive age of 100.
Watching from home, viewers took to Twitter to express their shock over her passing, paying tribute to her legacy on the soap.
One said: “Sad News-RIP Annie Sugden.”
Esteemed actress Sheila Mercier played the character of Annie Sugden (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
And a second added: “Bye-bye officially Annie Sugden.”
While a third chimed: “Annie Sugden dying is the real end of an era. Ma outlived the majority of her family and friends, amazing character.”
The soap star famously played Annie on the show for two decades, before her emotional departure from the Yorkshire dales in 1994.
Victoria Sugden received the news that Annie had died tragically
Her co-star Frederick Pyne announced Mercier had died over social media last year, saying: “Sad to tell all you Emmerdale fans that Sheila Mercier, Annie Sugden, died peacefully in her sleep…
“She would have been 101 years old on New Year’s Day. She was a great character and wonderful to work with.”
Mercier had been a part of the show since day one, back when it first launched as Emmerdale Farm in 1972.
For the next 22 years, she was a leading character, at the heart of a number of main storylines, before her character jetted off to live in Spain.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
