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I’ve long described Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) as Emmerdale’s premier problematic Queen. Since her debut 25 years ago, she’s constantly found herself in the eye of a storm, more often than not, of her own creation.
She’s currently pregnant. Not with the implanted embryo, belonging to her granddaughter, Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) and Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant), who she agreed to be a surrogate for. Not even by her husband, Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb). No, that would be far too straight forward, wouldn’t it?
She’s carrying the baby of Ross Barton (Michael Parr), a one-time lover who she’s previously had a child with with whom she had a one night stand, while pretending to the world and, most crucially, her beloved Sarah, that the baby is, in fact, the product of a successful embryo transfer and is her and Jacob’s biological offspring.
Even by Charity standards: what. A. Mess.
Charity is in a real pickle (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)
As it stands, only Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) knows the truth. Charity also broke down to ex-girlfriend Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), who knows that the baby may not be Sarah’s. Charity failed to correct her when she guessed the baby was Mack’s, meaning she has no idea that it’s definitely Ross’.
Ross himself was (quite rightly) convinced that the baby is his, and proceeded to hound Charity. Under immense pressure though, Charity forging a document claiming that a paternity test confirmed that he isn’t, seemingly shutting his suspicions down. He’s since formed a friendship with Mack, further stressing Charity out.
It’s safe to say that Charity is hardly having the time of her life, with the weight of her secret rendering her an emotional mess; a ticking timebomb that is, as soap law dictates, sure to explode at the worst possible moment.
Charity’s secret would not only destroy Sarah… (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)
…but her marriage to Mack, too (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)
Speaking of explosions, though, Charity is confirmed to play a role in Corriedale, alongside husband Mack. With the highly anticipated episode set to usher in a new ITV ‘power hour’ of soap and promising unlimited carnage, actress Emma shared her excitement over being part of the ultimate soap crossover.
When asked how she felt upon the announcement, Emma told Metro: ‘We all wanted to be in it!
‘Luckily with my character, she’s fully involved, in a manic chase to the airport. I was thrilled to be part of it. I’ve seen little snippets and I have to say, we’re in safe hands.
‘We’ve got a brilliant production team, the stuff I’ve seen, it’s like a film!’
Charity will cross with Shona Platt (Picture: ITV)
With the episode bringing both soaps together, fans have been salivating over the potential pairings that could be realised, creating dream scenarios between characters we previously thought impossible.
One confirmed cross is with Corrie’s Shona Platt (Julia Goulding), another mum-to-be. The recently released trailer sees Charity calling out for help while trying to comfort a screaming Shona.
On the previously unimaginable cross, Emma said: ‘It was really moving. As Emma, I got to watch Julia and Jack (P. Shepherd) pull off some hugely emotional stuff. Being in the room watching them, I was like wow! They are awesome. They’re really good together. I felt privileged to watch and work with them.’
How does Emma think viewers will react?: ‘I think the audience is going to be devastated and mind-blown. It’s going to be spectacular in the best and worst way.’
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