ITV soap Emmerdale was first broadcast on October 16 1972, and in its 49 year history, has not only brought us dramatic storylines, but some weird and wonderful spin-offs.
Lots of soaps and television programmes have released merchandise throughout the years, from puzzles of Coronation Street to a board game of the BBC Sitcom Bread.
However, if you wanted an item of clothing inspired by Emmerdale Farm, or wanted to dance along to the voices of your favourite characters, the show released spin offs that had everything an Emmerdale fan could want.
We take a look back at some of the soap’s spin off-items – from line dancing albums to Woolpack inspired cook books.
Hillbilly rock, Hillbilly roll country song
Back in the early 90s when a line dancing craze swept the nation, Emmerdale decided to join in on the fun with their first ever country song.
Hillbilly rock, Hillbilly roll was released in November 1996 and proved so popular that it reached number 5 in the UK music charts, staying there for over 15 weeks.
Sang by characters Vic Windsor, Zak Dingle and Terry Woods as group The Woolpackers, the country number was even recently featured on the Now Music album Now forgotten 90’s hits.
Fans who love a bit of nostalgia even delighted in the return of the song in 2019, when it was remade for a performance at Zak and Lisa Dingle’s wedding, featuring Bob Hope as the lead singer.
The Woolpackers released album Emmer Dance featuring the song on December 14 1996, and fans certainly loved it, as it reached number 25 in the UK top 40 and stayed in the charts for eleven weeks.
Line dancing CD
The love for line-dancing didn’t stop there, as Emmerdale looked set to follow up the success of Hillbilly rock, Hillbilly roll.
Emmer Dance wasn’t enough and a year later, The Woolpackers were back with their follow up album Line Dance Party.
Though not as successful as their first album, Line Dance Party still charted at number 48 on November 29 1997 and even produced a top 40 single of the same name.
But the remaining question is, with the return of Hillbilly Rock, Hillbilly roll in 2019, will it be long before we hear another Emmerdale album in the music charts again?
The Emmerdale Farm Knitting patterns
If you ever fancied having an Emmerdale inspired piece of clothing, then the Emmerdale Farm Knitting patterns book was all you needed to help you create that perfect item.
Released in 1989, it featured over 23 different Emmerdale inspired knitting patterns including fair isle jumpers, hats and tops.
If that wasn’t all, pictures of the knitted designs were also modelled by some of your favourite Emmerdale characters from the 80s.
Alan Turner’s Emmerdale Cook book
Even Woolpack owner Alan Turner got his own piece of Emmerdale merchandise with the Alan Turner’s Emmerdale Cookbook.
Released in 1995, it featured over 190 Emmerdale inspired recipes, promising the reader the chance to “sample the flavours of the countryside.”
It also offered readers a sneak peak into the lives of their favourite Emmerdale characters.
That wasn’t all though – in 1999, the New Emmerdale Cookbook was released, featuring recipes presented by Marlon Dingle, Zak Dingle’s family favourites and cooking from the Sugden kitchen.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
