Emmerdale stars who appeared in the first episode and where they are now 50 years on

Emmerdale turns 50 years old this week – but do you know where the original stars of the first episode are now?

Known in 1972 as Emmerdale Farm, the first episode saw the ITV soap introduce viewers to a whole host of iconic characters including Annie Sugden and son Joe, as well as lovable Woolpack Pub owners Amos Brearly and Henry Wilks.

They became regular fixtures in the dales, with some returning in later years to reprise their roles for special anniversaries, or dramatic storylines.

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As Emmerdale broadcasts its 50th anniversary episode this weekend (October 16, 2022), Daily Star takes a look at where some of the stars of the first ever episode are now.

Sheila Mercier (Annie Sugden)

The Sugden family are one of the most iconic in the Dales, and they were originally led by matriarch Annie in its very first episode.

Sheila Mercier played Annie Sugden between 1972 to 1994, returning for guest stints in 1995, 1996 and 2009.

Although she appeared in an online tie-in to the soap in 2000, Sheila decided to retire from acting after leaving Emmerdale.

However before her retirement, the star had a long acting career on both the stage and screen, appearing in Dry Rot, Simple Spymen, One for the Pot, Chase Me Comrade and in Uproar in the House.

Away from the limelight, Sheila was married to fellow actor and later agent Peter Mercier from 1951, with who she had a son called Nigel.

The star also celebrated a major milestone when she turned 100 years old on January 1, 2019, but sadly died in her sleep just 12 months later on December 4.

A spokesperson for ITV confirmed Mercier’s death in a statement, with Kim Tate actress Claire King paying tribute to the star in a tweet.

She said: “It’s always sad to hear of the death of an actor who played a significant part in Emmerdale’s success.

“Even more so when that actor was in the very first episode and around whose family the show was built.”

Marlon Dingle actor Mark Charnock, also paid tribute to the late actress, saying: “The great Sheila Mercier has left us. What an iconic character Annie Sugden was.

“Used to watch it with my grandparents as a boy, so to meet her in later years was a thrill.”

Frazer Hines (Joe Sugden)

Frazer Hines played Joe Sugden for more than 20 years between 1972 and 1992.

However, long before playing his iconic Emmerdale role, Frazer Hines rose to fame as one of the companions in Doctor Who.

He was a companion for longer than any other actor, totalling 117 episodes alongside Patrick Troughton’s second doctor and in specials such as 1983’s The Five Doctors.

Along with Doctor Who and Emmerdale, the actor has continued to be a presence on our screens in TV series and films such as Doctors, Two Days In The Smoke and most recently 2020’s Lost At Christmas.

Frazer has also revealed his shock after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 1999, telling The Mirror: “The surgeon says you have bowel cancer, suddenly you feel like you’ve swallowed a bowling ball. Did I think I’d die? Yes, for sure.”

Following extensive surgery and chemotherapy, the actor was told he was in remission after an 11 year battle with the disease.

However, he also revealed that the cancer had an affect on his decision not to have children, which led to his marriage breaking down, saying: “I always said I’m not cured, I have not beaten cancer – because there is always the risk it will come and bite you in the bum again.

“Liz was desperate for a child. But in my mind I thought, why? I could die. Then I found the marriage was beginning to deteriorate.”

He added: “You go through this self doubt. It was my fault, I just withdrew and said I don’t want to have a family. It was incredibly selfish.”

In his personal life, the actor was first married to Gemma Craven from 1981-1984 and then to Liz Hobbs from 1994 until their divorce in 2003.

Ronald Magill (Amos Brearly)

Ronald Magill played Amos Brearly in Emmerdale from its very first episode, and became known as the person to go to for the village gossip.

He later departed the soap in 1991, but returned for cameo appearances in both 1994 and 1995, when his character married Annie Sugden.

Emmerdale was his last credited TV appearance, but in his life, the actor had a successful career on stage, performing in productions such as Measure for Measure.

However in his personal life, the actor also suffered heartbreak after his partner of 32 years, David Soar, died in 1997.

Ronald Magill later died ten years after his partner, on September 6 2007 at the age of 87.

The Standard also reported that Ronald had been diagnosed with Bells Palsy in the years before his death.

Following his death, it was later revealed that Ronald had left over one third of his £1.3 million estate to the man who had nursed him in the last years of his life.

His will stated that £550,000 was to be left to the man, with the other £830,000 (before inheritance tax) to be divided between Ronald’s two brothers.

Arthur Pentalow (Henry Wilks)

Arthur Pentalow played Henry Wilks in Emmerdale, owning the Woolpack pub alongside Amos Brearly until 1991.

The actor already had a hugely successful career prior to Emmerdale, having starred in TV programmes including Z-Cars and in a rival soap as George Greenwood, Hilda Ogden’s friend in Coronation Street in 1971.

However tragedy struck when Arthur suddenly died of a heart attack aged 67 on August 6, 1991, while driving from his home in Birmingham to Leeds, where Emmerdale is filmed.

Following Arthur’s death in real life, the character was later written out of the soap in October 1991.

In his personal life, the actor had been married to his wife Jennifer, and they had two sons called Nick and Simon.

Gail Harrison (Marian Wilks)

Gail Harrison played Henry Wilks’ daughter Marian for six years between 1972 to 1978.

However, the character later returned to the dales from 1987 to 1988, when she was played by Debbi Blythe.

Gail has began her career just one year before her Emmerdale debut, appearing in the TV series Budgie, before going on to appear in David Copperfield, A Roof Over My Head and The Great Riviera Robbery during the seventies.

After leaving Emmerdale, she also appeared in hit comedy series Hi-Di-Hi and Only Fools And Horses, as well as drama series Brass and the TV Movie The Things You Do For Love: I Still Believe.

However, the TV Movie is Gail’s last credited acting role according to IMDB and it appears that the star has since retired from acting.

It is not known what the star is up to now, as Gail tends to keep her personal life private.

Frederick Pyne (Matt Skilbeck)

Frederick Pyne played kind-hearted farmer Matt Skilbeck for more than 17 years, between 1972 to 1989.

He was already a familiar face on TV before his Emmerdale fame, having appeared in series including Talking to a Stranger, The Three Princes and Dixon of Dock Green.

However according to IMDB, Emmerdale was the star’s last credited acting role.

It is also reported that Frederick also served on the Actor’s Equity Council and was the organisation’s president from 1994 to 2002, as well as being a trustee of five acting charities.

Similar to other Emmerdale co-stars, Frederick appeared to keep his personal life private, and it is not known if the star is married or has any children.

Toke Townley (Sam Pearson)

Sam Pearson played Annie Sugden’s father Toke Townley between 1972 to 1984, where he became known for his catch-phrase “In my day.”

Having begun his acting career in repertory theatre, he went on to land roles in films and TV shows including Three Men In A Boat, Scars Of Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, The Two Ronnies and Out Of The Unknown.

However, during his time on Emmerdale, the actor died of a heart attack on September 27, 1984 at the age of 72 years old.

His character was later written out of the soap by having Toke Townley die off-screen.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk