List of Emmerdale characters introduced in 1996

{{Short description|None}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:List of ''Emmerdale'' characters introduced in 1996}} The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British [[soap opera]] ''[[Emmerdale]]'' in 1996, by order of first appearance.

==Sandra Fowler== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Sandra Fowler |portrayer = Kate Layden |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = {{start date|1996|1|4|df=y}} |last = {{end date|1997|5|15|df=y}} |years = 1996–1997 |sons = [[Biff Fowler]] }} '''Sandra Fowler''' is the mother of [[Biff Fowler]] ([[Stuart Wade]]). She was played by Kate Layden. She was very disapproving of Biff's life in Emmerdale and tried to get him to come home with her when he was lodging with [[Seth Armstrong]] ([[Stan Richards]]) and [[Betty Eagleton]] ([[Paula Tilbrook]]). She also didn't like Biff's partner [[Linda Fowler|Linda Glover]] (Tonicha Jeronimo), and tried to stop them from getting married. When they exchanged vows, she stormed out of the church. {{clear}}

==Sean Rossi== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Sean Rossi |portrayer = Mark Cameron |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = {{start date|1996|2|22|df=y}} |last = {{end date|1997|1|8|df=y}} |years = 1996–1997 |occupation = Chef |daughters = Sarah Rossi }} '''Sean Rossi''', played by Mark Cameron, made his first appearance on 22 February 1996. Actor [[Paul Opacic]] originally auditioned for the role of Sean, before he was cast as [[Steve Marchant]].<ref name="Amazing">{{cite magazine|date=26 June – 9 July 1999|title=100 amazing facts about Emmerdale|magazine=[[Inside Soap]]|issue=130|page=43}}</ref> Chris Hughes of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' observed "fast-talking chef Sean Rossi, is plainly a scheming rat."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Love+song+stopped+our+wedding%3B+INTERVIEW%3A+Malandra+Burrows.-a061314076|title=Love song stopped our wedding; Interview: Malandra Burrows|last=Hughes|first=Chris|date=23 July 1996|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|accessdate=18 February 2021}}</ref> A reporter for ''[[The Guardian]]'' included Sean in a feature on soap characters that did not work. They wrote that he was a "beautiful man", but his biggest achievement was bringing an oyster knife to the village, while his brief relationship with [[Kathy Glover|Kathy Tate]] ([[Malandra Burrows]]) "caused even fewer ripples than the unwrapping of the oyster knife."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71386352/new-characters/|title=New Characters|date=7 November 1996|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=18 February 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805155200/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71386352/new-characters/|url-status=live}}{{free access}}</ref>

Sean is employed as a chef at The Old School Tearooms run by Kathy Tate. He and Kathy become friends and begin a relationship. When Kathy's brother [[Nick Bates]] ([[Cy Chadwick]]) kills poacher Jeremy "Jed" Connell (Ian Blower), Jed's brother Sidney Connell (Rodger Fox) begins terrorising Kathy and targets the tearooms. One night, Sean sees Sidney and pins him to his car and warns him to back off or he will kill him. Kathy ends their relationship when she learns that Sean had been in prison for knocking down and killing his daughter while he was drunk. Sean leaves the village, but returns a few months later after learning Kathy's husband [[Dave Glover]] ([[Ian Kelsey]]) has died. Sean tries to reconcile with Kathy, but she tells him to leave and he does. {{clear}}

==Susie Wilde== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Susie Wilde |portrayer = Louise Heaney |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = {{start date|1996|3|19|df=y}} |last = {{end date|1996|10|17|df=y}} |occupation = Hairdresser }} '''Susie Wilde''' is the ex-girlfriend of [[Emma Nightingale]] (Rachel Ambler) who went on to have a relationship with [[Zoe Tate]] ([[Leah Bracknell]]). She was played by Louise Heaney. She arrived in Emmerdale after being thrown out by her girlfriend and moved in with Emma and Zoe. Emma was thrilled and welcomed her with open arms, but Zoe didn't warm to her juvenile habits. Susie managed to settle down in Emmerdale and tried to convince [[Alan Turner (Emmerdale)|Alan Turner]] ([[Richard Thorp]]) for a job at The Woolpack. Zoe soon left Emma for Susie and they began a relationship, which ended when Susie had an affair with another woman and subsequently left the village. {{clear}}

==Steve Marchant== {{Main|Steve Marchant}} '''Steve Marchant''', played by [[Paul Opacic]], made his first appearance on 26 March 1996. Opacic originally auditioned for the role of Sean Rossi, but proved more suitable for the role of "shady dealer" Steve.<ref name="Amazing"/> He was initially contracted for six episodes.<ref name="Hey">{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BY+X%2C+IT%27S+PAUL%21-a061336441|title=By X, it's Paul!|last=Hey|first=Sarah|date=23 February 1996|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=10 April 2012|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004420/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BY+X%2C+IT%27S+PAUL%21-a061336441|url-status=live}}</ref> Steve was introduced as a former university friend of established regular [[Rachel Hughes]] ([[Glenda McKay]]).<ref name="Hey"/> The character was written out in 1998 by series producer Kieran Roberts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Murder+on+the+Farm%3b+Emmerdale+trio+axed.-a060609555|title=Murder on the Farm; Emmerdale trio axed|last=Wright|first=Matthew|date=3 September 1998|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=14 March 2012|archive-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020211800/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Murder+on+the+Farm%3b+Emmerdale+trio+axed.-a060609555|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Andy Sugden== {{Main|Andy Sugden}}

==Faye Clarke== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Faye Clarke |portrayer = Helena Calvert |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = 30 July 1996 |last = 10 October 1996 }} '''Faye Clarke''', played by Helena Calvert, made her first appearance on 30 July 1996. Shortly after her introduction, Faye was described as being a "Glamorous blonde" and a "brazen hussy" by Tony Purnell of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]''.<ref name="Purnell">{{cite news|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laughs+all+way+as+bad+boys+stray.-a061317840|title=Laughs all way as bad boys stray|last=Purnell|first=Tony|date=2 August 1996|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref> Another reporter for the paper called Faye "glamorous" and said that she was a "mini-skirted character".<ref name="Sexy">{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sexy+Helena+set+to+leave+Emmerdale.-a061178356|title=Sexy Helena set to leave Emmerdale|date=18 August 1996|work=[[Daily Mirror|Sunday Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|access-date=7 April 2012|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305102643/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sexy+Helena+set+to+leave+Emmerdale.-a061178356|url-status=live}}</ref> They added that Faye had become a favourite with male fans.<ref name="Sexy"/> Describing her first scenes, Purnell said Faye made her entrance in a flash sports car and then "showed off her bare midriff and prompted Terry from the Woolpack to describe her as the perfect woman."<ref name="Purnell"/> On 18 August 1996, it was announced that Calvert had chosen to leave ''Emmerdale''.<ref name="Sexy"/> A Yorkshire TV spokesperson said "Millions of hearts will be broken, but her leaving won't mean things simmer down."<ref name="Sexy"/> Faye leaves her lover [[Steve Marchant]] ([[Paul Opacic]]) to go to the city.<ref name="Sexy"/> {{Clear}}

==Granny Hopwood== {{Infobox soap character |series=Emmerdale |name=Granny Hopwood |portrayer=Beatrice Kelly |introducer= Mervyn Watson |appeared= 1 August 1996 |sons=[[Billy Hopwood]] |grandsons=[[Andy Sugden]] [[Daz Eden]] |relatives= [[List of Emmerdale characters (2005)#Sarah Sugden|Sarah Sugden]] [[List of Emmerdale characters (2012)#Jack Sugden|Jack Sugden]] }} '''Granny Hopwood''', played by Beatrice Kelly, is the mother of [[Billy Hopwood]] ([[David Crellin]]) and grandmother of [[Andy Sugden]] ([[Kelvin Fletcher]]) and [[Daz Eden]] ([[Luke Tittensor]]). She is Andy's legal guardian for much his life prior to 1996, as his father, her son Billy is in and out of jail. They live in a run-down Tower Block of Flats in Leeds.

When [[Jack Sugden]] ([[Clive Hornby]]) brings Andy home, he is taken aback by Granny Hopwood's manner and living conditions. While smoking and drinking heavily, She tells him about Billy's imprisonment and wished that Andy would run away and never come back. Three weeks later, Andy tries to wake his grandmother but cannot. Jack initially believes Mrs Hopwood is drunk but when he arrives at the flat, he finds that she has died. Following her death, The Sugden family subsequently foster and adopt Andy. {{clear|right}}

==Lisa Dingle== {{Main|Lisa Dingle}}

==Jamie Tate== {{Infobox soap character | series = Emmerdale | name = Jamie Tate | portrayer = Jake Meays (1996) Elliott Suckley (1996) Sam Silson (1997) Oliver Carroll (1997) Bradley White (1997–1999) [[Alexander Lincoln]] (2019–2021) | introducer = Mervyn Watson (1996) Kate Brooks and Laura Shaw (2019) | first = Episode 2118 {{start date|1996|09|24|df=y}} | last = Episode 9197 {{end date|2021|11|04|df=y}} | years = 1996–1999, 2019–2021 | occupation = Veterinarian | alias = James Francis Tate | father = [[Frank Tate (Emmerdale)|Frank Tate]] | mother = [[Kim Tate]] | wife = [[Andrea Tate]] (until 2021) | daughters = [[Millie Tate]] | sons = [[List of Emmerdale characters (2021)#Thomas Tate|Thomas Tate]] | stepfather = [[Steve Marchant]] [[Graham Foster (Emmerdale)|Graham Foster]] [[Will Taylor (Emmerdale)|Will Taylor]] | halfbrothers = [[Liam Hammond]] [[Chris Tate]] [[Caleb Miligan]] | halfsisters = [[Zoe Tate]] | nephews = [[Joe Tate (Emmerdale)|Joe Tate]] [[Noah Dingle]] [[List of Emmerdale characters (2022)#Nicky Miligan|Nicky Miligan]] | nieces = [[Jean Tate]] }} '''James Francis "Jamie" Tate''' made his first appearance on 24 September 1996. He was played by various child actors until his departure on 19 January 1999. The character was reintroduced in 2019, with Alexander Lincoln cast in the role which he played until 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a27071740/emmerdale-cast-kim-tate-son-james-actor-alexander-lincoln/|title=Emmerdale is bringing back Kim Tate's son James after 20 years – and here's who'll be playing him|last=Seddon|first=Dan|date=8 April 2019|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-date=28 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728171309/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a27071740/emmerdale-cast-kim-tate-son-james-actor-alexander-lincoln/|url-status=live}}</ref>

James is the only child of [[Frank Tate (Emmerdale)|Frank Tate]] ([[Norman Bowler]]) from his marriage to [[Kim Tate]] ([[Claire King]]). His paternity is initially in doubt as Kim had been having an affair with [[Dave Glover]] ([[Ian Kelsey]]). Dave dies saving James from a fire before the paternity tests show Frank is the father. Kim expresses doubts about the tests, thinking that Frank's money means he could have paid for the test results to be altered; however, after Frank dies, Dave's father [[Ned Glover]] ([[Johnny Leeze]]) agrees to a second DNA test, which proves James is Frank's son. The following year, Kim marries [[Steve Marchant]] ([[Paul Opacic]]). They are involved in a hit and run accident while stealing a horse, and Kim pins the blame on Steve. She escapes with James in a helicopter to avoid being arrested. When Kim returns to the village without James after she spent six years in prison and sent him to boarding school. Kim asks her lover [[Graham Foster (Emmerdale)|Graham Foster]] ([[Andrew Scarborough]]) to track down James as she needs him back in her life. Graham later gives her James' phone number, but she is forced to leave a voice message as James does not answer the phone.

Jamie returns to Emmerdale to attend an interview for a role at the Emmerdale Veterinary Centre. Jamie stops his [[Ford Mondeo]] to let [[Eric Pollard]] ([[Chris Chittell]]) cross when [[Megan Macey]] ([[Gaynor Faye]]) crashes her [[Volkswagen Golf]] into the back of him, pushing his Mondeo forward and running over Eric. Megan caused the accident as she was using her phone whilst driving. Eric sustains serious head injuries and is later found to have internal bleeding. Jamie has a major panic attack. Kim later arrives on the scene to find Jamie being treated in the back of an ambulance, telling the paramedics not to let her come. [[Rhona Goskirk]] ([[Zoë Henry]]) drives Kim to the hospital to see Jamie. Jamie refuses to see Kim and tells Rhona to stay wary of her. Kim steals his car keys so she can see more of him. Jamie later arrives at Home Farm to retrieve his keys from Kim, although she claims she does not have them. They go to The Woolpack to retrieve them from [[lost and found|lost property]] although they are not there. Back at Home Farm, Kim tries to help Jamie piece together what happened. As Jamie confronts his mum about her past, Kim hands back his car keys, just as Graham shows up. He tells her they are finished. Jamie starts a custody battle for his daughter Millie and begins an affair with [[Belle Dingle]] ([[Eden Taylor-Draper]]). Jamie strikes [[Moira Barton|Moira Dingle]] ([[Natalie J. Robb]]) with his car and leaves the scene. His estranged wife [[Andrea Tate]] ([[Anna Nightingale]]) learns what happened and blackmails him into breaking up with Belle. Later that year Belle turns against Jamie to work with Andrea to bring him down. Though Kim steps in and Belle and Andrea fail.

Jamie continues to work at the vets when they need a new receptionist after Belle's departure. They hire [[Dawn Taylor]] (Olivia Bromley). Jamie soon falls for her but his mother and her father, [[Will Taylor (Emmerdale)|Will Taylor]] ([[Dean Andrews]]), disapprove of the relationship. They temporarily break up after Dawn's father makes them split up. [[Gabby Thomas (Emmerdale)|Gabby Thomas]] ([[Rosie Bentham]]) and Jamie have sex whilst they are on a break and Gabby later reveals that she is pregnant to Jamie. Kim learns that Jamie has been poisoning her in order to get her fortune and she casts him out of her life. Gabby convinces Jamie that in order to get money for themselves and their forthcoming child, they should get married. Whilst on the way to elope with Gabby, Jamie swerves off the road to avoid [[Chas Dingle]] ([[Lucy Pargeter]]); his [[Jeep Liberty (KJ)|Jeep Cherokee]] goes into a nearby lake and his body is not located. The village believes that Jamie has died; however, he is later revealed to be living with his former mother-in-law [[List of Emmerdale characters (2021)#Hazel|Hazel]] ([[Kate Anthony]]). After Andrea's death, the two plot to regain custody of Millie, which they succeed with. Following the reveal that Jamie is alive, an ''Emmerdale'' spokesperson confirmed that Lincoln had left the soap and that producers had no plans to reintroduce him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Emmerdale confirms Jamie Tate exit after final twist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a38163436/emmerdale-spoilers-jamie-tate-exit-confirmed/ |access-date=4 November 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Magazines UK]]) |date=4 November 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104194557/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a38163436/emmerdale-spoilers-jamie-tate-exit-confirmed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, Laura-Jayne Tyler from ''[[Inside Soap]]'' wrote that she was "rooting" for Jamie's relationship with [[Dawn Fletcher]] (Olivia Bromley), explaining "Their chemistry is proper ''[[Romeo & Juliet]]'', true-love-thwarted-at-every-turn stuff...Plus, he's much less of a complete and utter tool when she's around."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tyler |first1=Laura-Jayne |title=Hits & Misses! |magazine=[[Inside Soap]] |date=20–26 February 2021 |issue=8|page=98}}</ref> {{clear}}

==Tom Bainbridge== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Tom Bainbridge |portrayer = Jeremy Turner-Welch |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = {{start date|1996|10|8|df=y}} |last = {{end date|1997|4|3|df=y}} |years = 1996–1997 |occupation = Teacher }} '''Tom Bainbridge''' was a teacher at [[Kelly Windsor]]'s ([[Adele Silva]]) school. He was played by Jeremy Turner-Welch. He began an affair with 16-year-old Kelly when he was lodging with [[Betty Eagleton]] ([[Paula Tilbrook]]), who caught them on her settee. Kelly's father [[Vic Windsor]] ([[Alun Lewis (actor)|Alun Lewis]]) took a dislike to him as a result and tried to get him sacked, which did eventually happen in January 1997. As a result, Tom had to leave the village to find work elsewhere. Kelly decided against moving away from her family, so remained in Emmerdale. {{clear}}

==Sophie Wright== {{Infobox soap character |series = Emmerdale |name = Sophie Wright |portrayer = Jane Cameron |introducer = Mervyn Watson |first = {{start date|1996|10|15|df=y}} |last = {{end date|1997|11|26|df=y}} |years = 1996–1997 |occupation = Nanny |mother = Jean Wright }} '''Sophie Wright''' was hired by [[Frank Tate (Emmerdale)|Frank Tate]] ([[Norman Bowler]]) as a nanny for his baby son [[#Jamie Tate|James]]. She was played by Jane Cameron. After being hired, she began a relationship with Frank's daughter [[Zoe Tate]] ([[Leah Bracknell]]). Her appointment came as a surprise to James' mother [[Kim Tate]] ([[Claire King]]). At the New Years party, Sophie got drunk and had a one night stand with [[Butch Dingle]] ([[Paul Loughran]]), who began stalking her after she rejected him. His father [[Zak Dingle]] ([[Steve Halliwell]]) took a belt to him as a result. After developing a relationship with Zoe, she wanted to have a family with Sophie but Sophie felt a father needed to be involved and left Emmerdale after she felt that Zoe was bullying her into it. {{clear}}

==Marlon Dingle== {{Main|Marlon Dingle}}

==Ashley Thomas== {{Main|Ashley Thomas}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Lists of Emmerdale characters|1996]] [[Category:Television characters introduced in 1996|*, Emmerdale]]