Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary special airs tonight on ITV – 50 years since it first hit the small screen on October 16, 1972.
Emmerdale fans are in for a treat as the popular ITV series prepares to air a dramatic hour-long episode to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The special will air today, October 16 – exactly 50 years since the soap first hit screens in 1972.
To mark the occasion, the show has unveiled an official photo of the cast taken earlier this year outside the Woolpack pub in the Yorkshire village of Emmerdale. Jane Hudson, executive producer of the series, said the special will be “a treat for all our loyal viewers” who will be “on the edge of their seats as the stories unfold”.
She added that the storylines will “bring tears to your eyes, make you laugh out loud, and of course, surprise you with some of the most epic stunts you’ll ever see.” Here’s everything you need to know about the Emmerdale 50th anniversary special, including how to watch it.
What is ‘The Storm’ and how will it affect Emmerdale Village?
The description for Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary reads: “Emmerdale celebrates 50 years with this special episode. On the day of Kim and Will’s wedding, a storm hits – Amelia is trapped and the search begins for her.’ One of the main stunts of the episode during “storm week” will be a life-threatening cow stampede. An Emmerdale village is set to be badly damaged by the storm – and people have been teased off a cliff alongside shocking deaths. Those who survive the “storm” will deal with the consequences.
How to watch Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary special and when is it on TV?
A special 50th anniversary episode of Emmerdale will be shown on ITV 1/ITV 1HD tonight (October 16) from 7-8pm. The episode will also be available on ITV Hub after its conclusion. Fans can enjoy two hours of action on Emmerdale tonight as a special documentary looking back at 50 years of the much-loved program will be shown before the episode from 6pm. You must have a TV license watch ITV in the UK.
What is Emmerdale?
Emmerdale, known as Emmerdale Farm until 1989, is a British soap opera set in Emmerdale, a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Emmerdale was known as “Beckindale” until 1994. The soap was created by Kevin Laffan and first aired on 16 October 1972. Since then, the interior scenes have been filmed at the Leeds studio, while the exterior scenes were first shot at Arncliffe in Lyttondale. The exterior scenes were later filmed in Elshott, but are now filmed on a purpose-built stage at Harewood Estate. The program is broadcast in every region on ITV.
King Charles surprises Emmerdale cast and crew with birthday message at National Television Awards
As Emmerdale prepares to celebrate its incredible 50th anniversary, cast and crew attending the National Television Awards this week on October 13 were surprised when host Joel Dummett delivered a special surprise birthday wish.
A message recorded earlier this year by the then Prince of Wales ahead of his accession to the throne congratulated the team on their half-century, as well as their work towards sustainable development both on and off screen, as well as their ability to entertain as they inform.
After recalling the show’s original name, Emmerdale Farm and the Sugden family, the monarch moved on to talk about the importance of the show’s depiction of rural life, the value of the countryside and the programme’s fans around the world. The prince congratulated all the actors and crew on their last anniversary.
