Emmerdale legend confirms she is returning – sooner than you think | Soaps

In a list of characters that Emmerdale fans can’t wait to see again, Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) is right up at the top of the wish list. Fear not, Dales lovers. That wish is about to be granted!

Victoria left the Dales earlier this year in February, after a deadly confrontation in the woods with her twisted serial killer half-brother John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) ended when she killed the monster in self defence with his own syringe, before trying to make it look like a suicide and fleeing the scene.

The truth behind John’s death was uncovered by the conniving lord of Home Farm Joe Tate, (Ned Porteous), who blackmailed Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) into framing Moira Dingle with an incriminating video of Victoria doing the bloody deed.

Wrestling with her own guilt over taking a life, Victoria decided to take Harry and flee the Dales, jetting off to Portugal to stay with her former stepmother Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen)

Victoria’s exit came after actress Isabel Hodgins announced she would be taking maternity leave, departing the show after almost two decades in the village.

‘I will miss it.’ Isabel admitted’. I love the people there, but I’ve worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do and been selfish with my career. Now, it’s time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me.’ 

Isabel gave birth to her first child, Georgia, with her husband Adam Whitehead back in February. Her departure left fans eagerly clamouring for the Emmerdale legend’s return.

That return appears to be right around the corner, according to Isabel. The actress posted two photos on Instagram which heavily tease her imminent comeback. The pictures show Isabel posing with the Emmerdale sign in the sunshine, with the flowers fully in bloom.

The soap star also included a video of her pushing her baby daughter Georgia round the village in her stroller, showing her all the sights including the church, the garage, the grave of her on-screen father Jack Sugden. Adam even got in on the fun, taking a ride on the roundabout in the village playground.

‘For the first time, I got to show Georgie (and Adam) around the village that’s been such a huge part of my life.’ Isbobel wrote.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to call this place work since I was 12 years old, so sharing it with my little family meant so much.

‘GG’s verdict? She’d quite happily move in.’

The post had fans buzzing with excitement within seconds. One user said: ‘Are you going to be back on our screens very soon?’

A second shared: ‘Come back!’

A third added: ‘Already? Wow! Fantastic news.’

Fans weren’t the only ones anticipating Isabel’s return. Chris Coghill, who plays eccentric hardman newcomer Kev Townsend , joked that he’d notified the relevant authorities about his co-stars comeback.

‘Just so you know, I’ve alerted security’ Christ posted.

Isabel’s rumoured return comes amid the shocking exit of Jack Downham (Noah Tate), which has just been freshly announced after the characters’ 17 years in the show.

This is the latest departure in a major cast shake up where four other actors and actresses are set to bow of the the ITV soap . This includes Jimmy King (Nick Miles), Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor), Bradley Johnson (Vinnie Dingle), and Caroline Harker, whose character, the villainous Doctor Todd, has already been killed off.

Victoria’s return is sure to set the cat among the pigeons now there’s a new addition to the Sugden clan in the form of Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy), who seemed to have a strange interest in John Sugden the moment she set foot in the village. Given the fact that Serena was recently revealed to be a copper, this can only spell bad news for Victoria.

Watch this space!

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