The ITV soap recently recruited a new producer in the form of Sophie Roper, who has been working on the show for nearly a decade.

She promised that she ‘lived and breathed’ Emmerdale, having previously been the show’s story producer.

Now, the executive has revealed that there are huge stories set to air over the coming months.

They will include the news of a tragic death, the return of legendary characters, and a huge stunt that will have wide-ranging impacts.

Here is what’s in the works:

Zak Dingle’s Death
Emmerdale will pay tribute to Steve Halliwell as they mark his characters passing
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Emmerdale will pay tribute to Steve Halliwell as they mark his characters passingCredit: PA
Actor Steve Halliwell sadly passed away in December last year after a period of ill health at the age of 77.

Sophie has now revealed that Emmerdale plans to mark his passing and the death of his character, Zak Dingle.

She explained: “The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now and will continue to be so. And as many of you will know, of course, we lost Steve recently.

“So we’re going to be marking Zac’s passing, [the] iconic Zac Dingle character, in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.

She added: “So very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and obviously for a lot of our viewers who have grown and loved Zac for many, many years.

“But it will be a hugely fitting tribute to such an iconic character coming up.”

Mandy and Paddy’s wedding
Paddy and Mandy are set to finally tie the knot in her own signature style
ever, it will not be all sad times for the Dingle family as they also have plenty to celebrate.

Lisa Riley and Dominic Brunt have played Mandy Dingle and Paddy Kirk on Emmerdale for a number of years.

The duo are known amongst fans to be the life and soul of the village and fans are absolutely ecstatic at the prospect of their wedding.

The boss has teased that this will be a celebration to remember, and views can look forward to ‘fun’ scenes.

It’s going to be very Mandy, it’s going to be very big, it’s going to be very fun.”

Emmerdale Producer Sophie Roper
“Elsewhere in the Dingle world, we’ve got Mandy and Paddy building towards a wedding. It is Mandy and Paddy so that’s going to be filled with fun,” Sophie admitted.

“We’ve had Mandy’s dress made in-house by one of our dressmakers. It’s going to be very Mandy, it’s going to be very big, it’s going to be very fun.”

She added: “So look out for some fun in and amongst all of that with the Dingles clan as well.

New and returning characters
Former Coronation Street star Oliver Farnworth will star as John Sugden in a bid to boost the infamous soap family

The soap executive has admitted that fans can expect some shock returns to the Dales in the near future.

Alongside some familiar faces, the producers are introducing a new character to the Sugden clan.

They are the longest running family in Emmerdale, appearing in the first ever episode of the show in 1972.

However, Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) is currently the only remaining member of the infamous family.

In a bid to shake things up, they’re about to get a fresh face in the form of Oliver Farnworth, who will play the character of John.

Sophie revealed: “We’ve got some returning and new, and kind of exciting faces coming into the show over the next few months.

He’s going to bring lots of drama to the Dales which I’m going to keep quite tight-lipped about for now.”

Emmerdale Producer Sophie Roper
“And I’m pleased to confirm that we’ll have Oliver Farnworth joining us as a new casting. And he’s coming into the show as a new Sugden.

“The Sugdens, just like the Dingles, are an iconic family group in Emmerdale and we’re keen to cement them back in the show.”

She added: “So Oliver’s a brilliant new addition, incredibly talented and we’re really looking forward to welcoming him.

“And he’s going to bring lots of drama to the Dales which I’m going to keep quite tight-lipped about for now.”

Viewers have been shocked, surprised, and saddened by recent shocking scenes on the long-running ITV serial drama.

We have seen Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) locked in her house as a fire raged in the kitchen as the abuse from twisted husband Tom (James Chase) intensified.

“Belle and Tom, so that’s obviously a huge storyline for us at the moment.

“An incredibly important, if not difficult storyline to watch at moments,” explained Sophie.

She added: “And it’s resonating with our audience because of course it’s such a huge real issue.

“So we continue with that story and try to be really truthful to those kind of relationships.”

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Source: Tampa Bay Times