Yahoo Movies Stars who appeared in Emmerdale before they were famous
Cast your eye over the CVs of some of the best known entertainers and you'll often spot a soap on there somewhere.
From Lesley Manville to Mel B, Emmerdale has seen it all...
Lesley Manville
Lesley Manville, who was recently announced as Helena Bonham Carter's replacement in Netflix's The Crown, rocked up in the Dales in 1974, back when the soap was called Emmerdale Farm.
She played Rosemary Kendall, a young woman who moved to Emmerdale Farm after her mother Jean, who was depressed, had been admitted to a mental health institution.
She almost entered a relationship with Joe Sugden, who was her second cousin, before moving to Middlesborough.
Stephanie Cole
Stephanie Cole, who many of you will recognise as Roy Cropper's mother Sylvia from Coronation Street, played lawyer Mrs Bulstrode in Emmerdale in 1978.
Ross Kemp
Following a long old run on EastEnders, Ross Kemp is now widely associated with documentaries, covering everything from gangs in El Salvador and Poland to the NHS frontline under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
But back in 1985, he enjoyed a stint on Emmerdale as Graham Lodsworth, an army deserter and Dolly Skilbeck's son.
He lived with Seth Armstrong in the village before heading back to the army.
Beverley Callard
Beverly Callard is best known as Liz MacDonald in Corrie, but before that she appeared in Emmerdale in 1983, back when it was known as Emmerdale Farm.
She played Angie Richards, the girlfriend of Jackie Merrick who worked in the local chippy.
Jenna Coleman
We all have to start somewhere, and before she appeared in Doctor Who, Victoria and The Cry, to name just a few, Jenna Coleman played Jasmine Thomas in Emmerdale.
Jasmine was the nice of the late Ashley Thomas, the village vicar.
She ended up serving time in prison for manslaughter after killing police officer Shane Doyle following his attack on her love interest Debbie Dingle.
Joe Gilgun
Joe Gilgun (Brassic, Preacher, Misfits, This Is England) appeared in Emmerdale as Eli Dingle from 2006 to 2010.
He was Marlon Dingle's younger brother, who turned up in the village after being released from prison.
Before he left the show, Eli landed himself in yet more trouble when he stole a cash box from Eric Pollard's B&B. During the burglary, a drunk Eric had fallen down the stairs and knocked himself out, further complicating matters.
Sam Dingle was blamed for the missing cash box, but Eli cleared his name before leaving for good.
Joe also popped up in Corrie when he was much younger.
He played Jamie Armstrong from 1994-1997, Tricia Armstrong's son. Like Eli, he was almost always in trouble for something.
Mel B
Before the Spice Girls formed in 1994 and changed Mel B's life forever, she reportedly appeared as an extra in Emmerdale in 1993.
Her younger sister Danielle also popped up as extra, and then again as Paulette Lewis, Roy Glover's girlfriend.
He dumped her after he found out that she had kissed Scott Windsor, Paulette taking that as her cue to leave.
Mel B also played Amy Nelson in Coronation Street – Louise Duprey first took on the role, before Mel B was later cast.
Amy worked on the checkout at Bettabuy and dated Andy McDonald, Steve's twin brother.
She eventually left Weatherfield for Trinidad.
Anna Friel
Marcella star Anna Friel played Poppy Bruce on the soap in 1992 for a short period.
According to Emmerdale lore, she visited the holiday village on Home Farm land and quickly developed a crush on Joe Sugden.
She also appeared in Coronation Street in 1991 as Belinda Johnson, Vicky MacDonald's best mate.
Vicky, maiden name Arden, was Steve's first wife.
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