Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins on taking break from ITV soap

Isabel, who has played Victoria Sugden in Emmerdale for nearly 20 years, is set to become a first-time mum.

The soap star filmed her final scenes in December and revealed how she was releived to be getting a break.

Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins on taking break from ITV soap

Speaking to The Sun , she said: “I thought I would be really emotional when I filmed my final scenes.

“Emmerdale is all I have ever known. But pregnancy does funny things to you and the truth is I felt ready not to have to film on Emmerdale!

“I live in Manchester and I’ve been driving over to Leeds to film. By the end, I felt exhausted and I knew it was time to have a rest before the baby arrives.”

Isabel discovered she was pregnant shortly after getting married to her partner, Adam, in April 2025, and is expecting sometime soon.

She said: “It suddenly feels very real now. I am so excited about becoming a mum for the first time and this will be, by far and away, my biggest role I’ve ever had.

“Adam is going to be a great dad. He pours his heart into everything he does and we both feel so lucky to be having a child.”

The couple chose not to find out whether they are having a boy or a girl, with Isabel also saying how co-stars Ryan Hawley, who plays half-brother Robert, and Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle, have helped her on set.

She said: “Ryan is a father, so is Danny, and they have been so sweet.

“They have really spoilt me, making sure I have somewhere to sit down in between scenes.

“I remember once I’d missed breakfast and Danny went to the canteen to get me toast. They are always getting me snacks and both have been really caring.

“They are like my two naughty brothers as they also have a great sense of humour.”

Despite her break, Isabel has confirmed she will return to Emmerdale in the future.

She said: “They told me it was up to me when I come back to the soap, which is lovely.

“I’ve been in Emmerdale for 19 years and it’s been a huge part of my life. Everyone has been so nice.”

She added: “I am in my own baby bubble now.

“I will be back in time but now it’s time to be with my baby and Adam. We can’t wait to be parents.”

Which actors have been on Emmerdale the longest?

Despite Isabel having been on Emmerdale for nearly two decades, there are characters who have been on the show even longer.

Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in the ITV soap, first began in 1986, having now been on the show for 40 years, making him the longest-serving cast member in the soap’s history.

Sheila Mercier was another long-standing Emmerdale star, having played Annie Sugden in the soap from the programme’s first episode in 1972 until 1994, with a guest return in 2009.

Annie died off-screen in August 2020, aged 100.

Other long-serving characters include Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle from 1994 until his death in 2023, as well as James Hooton (Sam Dingle), Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) and Dominic Brunt (Paddy Kirk), each playing their role since 1995, 1996 and 1997 respectively.

Several characters may have appeared longer, such as Robert Sugden since 1986, but have been played by more than one actor.

Emmerdale airs every weekday at 8pm on ITV1 and STV1, with episodes available at 7am on ITVX.

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale? Let us know in the comments.