# Samantha Giles

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British actress

For the golfer, see [Samantha Giles (golfer)](/source/Samantha_Giles_(golfer)).

Samantha Giles Born Samantha Elizabeth Giles (1971-07-02) 2 July 1971 (age 55) Maidstone, Kent, England Occupations Actress author Years active 1993–present Known for Emmerdale Where the Heart Is Hollyoaks Spouse Sean Pritchard ​ (m. 2010)​ Children 2

**Samantha Elizabeth Giles** (born 2 July 1971)[1] is an English actress and author. She is best known for playing [Bernice Blackstock](/source/Bernice_Blackstock) in the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_channel)) soap opera *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*. She had also played Sally Boothe in the ITV drama series *[Where the Heart Is](/source/Where_the_Heart_Is_(British_TV_series))* and [Valerie Holden](/source/Valerie_Holden) in the [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4) soap opera *[Hollyoaks](/source/Hollyoaks)*. She departed from *Emmerdale* in 2019 to focus on other creative projects, such as writing her [debut novel](/source/Debut_novel), *Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill*, released in August 2020. In April 2021, it was confirmed that she would be returning to *Emmerdale*.

## Career

From 1998 to 2002, and again in 2004, Giles played [Bernice Blackstock](/source/Bernice_Blackstock) in the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_channel)) soap opera *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*.[2] For her role as Bernice, she won the [*TV Quick* Award](/source/TV_Quick_Award) for Best Actress.[3] Giles' other television credits include *[Doctors](/source/Doctors_(2000_TV_series))*, *[Dangerfield](/source/Dangerfield_(TV_series))* and *Midnight Man*. Her stage credits include *[A Taste of Honey](/source/A_Taste_of_Honey)* (as Helen), *Dead Funny* (Lisa), and *Season's Greetings* (Belinda).[4] In December 2007, it was announced that Giles was to join the cast of the [Channel 4](/source/Channel_4) soap opera *[Hollyoaks](/source/Hollyoaks)* in 2008 as [Valerie Holden](/source/Valerie_Holden), a role that she had taken over from actress [Jacqueline Leonard](/source/Jacqueline_Leonard). She returned in July 2010,[5] and left again in August 2010. In December 2010, Giles appeared on *[Celebrity Mastermind](/source/Celebrity_Mastermind)* where her specialist subject was the works of [Alfred Hitchcock](/source/Alfred_Hitchcock).[6] Giles returned to *Emmerdale* in 2012. However, in 2019, Giles announced her departure from the series to focus on other creative projects.[2] In August 2020, her first book, titled *Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill*, was published.[7] After *Emmerdale* producers offered a return to Giles in 2021, she accepted; her return scenes aired on 27 May.[8] She left the role again in 2023, and will return for a guest stint in 2025.[9]

## Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1994–1995 Coronation Street Kirsty Recurring role 1997 New Voices Michelle Roberts Episode: "Supplies" 1997 Midnight Man Mary Farmer Television film 1998 Dangerfield Amy Episode: "The Long Weekend" 1998–2002, 2004, 2012–2019, 2021–2023, 2025 Emmerdale Bernice Blackstock Regular role 2003–2006 Where the Heart Is Sally Boothe Main role; 28 episodes 2007 Doctors Pia Marshall Episode: "Bon Voyage" 2008, 2010 Hollyoaks Valerie Holden Regular role; 34 episodes 2011 Doctors Felicia Bennett Episode: "An Inspector Calls" 2011 The Case Monica Sauzer Episode #1.4 2012 Crime Stories Kate Spencer Episode #1.7 2015 Nomads Penny Television series 2025 The Football Fantastics Val Television series

## Stage

- 1993, Rosalind in *Double D* directed by [June Brown](/source/June_Brown)

- 2004, Jennifer in *Party Piece* at the [Theatre Royal Windsor](/source/Theatre_Royal_Windsor) directed by Mark Piper

- 2010, Marge in *[Absent Friends](/source/Absent_Friends_(play))* at the [Oldham Coliseum](/source/Oldham_Coliseum)/Harrogate/Anvil Arts Production directed by [Nikolai Foster](/source/Nikolai_Foster)

- 2007, Lisa in *Dead Fully* at the Oldham Coliseum and National Tour directed by [Nikolai Foster](/source/Nikolai_Foster)

- 2006, Helen in *A Taste of Honey* - National Tour at the Oldham Coliseum directed by Stuart Wood

- 2006, Belinda in *[Seasons Greetings](/source/Season's_Greetings_(play))* at the [Liverpool Playhouse](/source/Liverpool_Playhouse) directed by [Nikolai Foster](/source/Nikolai_Foster)

## Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref. 1999 5th National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer Nominated [10] 2000 6th National Television Awards Most Popular Actress Nominated [11] 2002 British Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [12] 2002 British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [12] 2002 British Soap Awards Best On-Screen Partnership (shared with John Middleton) Nominated [12] 2014 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female Nominated [13] 2015 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female Nominated [14] 2016 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female Nominated [15] 2018 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female Nominated [16] 2019 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Female Nominated [17] 2021 Inside Soap Awards Funniest Performance Nominated [18] 2023 2023 British Soap Awards Best Comedy Performance Nominated [19] 2023 Inside Soap Awards Best Comic Performance Nominated [20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_1-0)** ["How old is Emmerdale's Samantha Giles and how did she become a witch?"](https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-emmerdale-samantha-giles-witch-husband/). *[Heart](/source/Heart_(radio_network))*. 4 August 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200924004929/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-emmerdale-samantha-giles-witch-husband/) from the original on 24 September 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Aprons_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Aprons_2-1) Harp, Justin (20 September 2019). ["Emmerdale exit for Bernice Blackstock as actress Samantha Giles leaves the soap"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. [Hearst Magazines UK](/source/Hearst_Magazines_UK). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200808100344/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/) from the original on 8 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Samantha Giles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122006/http://www.vipappearances.co.uk/samantha-giles/). *VIP Appearances Ltd*. Archived from [the original](http://www.vipappearances.co.uk/samantha-giles/) on 6 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Samantha Giles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231841/https://www.aimagents.com/actors/samantha-giles/). *AIM Agents*. Archived from [the original](https://www.aimagents.com/actors/samantha-giles/) on 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Samantha Giles returns to 'Oaks"](https://metro.co.uk/2010/06/26/samantha-giles-returns-to-oaks-419130/). *Metro*. 26 June 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231839/https://metro.co.uk/2010/06/26/samantha-giles-returns-to-oaks-419130/) from the original on 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["BBC One - Celebrity Mastermind, 2010/2011, Episode 1"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x3whf). *BBC*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190921060343/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x3whf) from the original on 21 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Harp, Justin (20 September 2019). ["Emmerdale exit confirmed for Bernice Blackstock"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200808100344/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29156640/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-exit-samantha-giles-leaves/) from the original on 8 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Returning_8-0)** Anderton, Joe (18 April 2021). ["Emmerdale's Samantha Giles returns as Bernice causes trouble for Liam and Leyla's romance"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. [Hearst Magazines UK](/source/Hearst_Magazines_UK). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210418230549/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a36156319/emmerdale-samantha-giles-bernice-return/) from the original on 18 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Warner, Sam (5 June 2025). ["Emmerdale's Bernice Blackstock tipped to return for very special occasion"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250811054943/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64980611/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-tipped-return/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. [Hearst Communications](/source/Hearst_Communications). Archived from [the original](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64980611/emmerdale-bernice-blackstock-tipped-return/) on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["TV stars prepare for battle"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/486003.stm). BBC News. 26 October 1999. Retrieved 12 November 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["National Television Awards: The winners"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/966147.stm). *[BBC](/source/BBC)*. 10 October 2000. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20031212160304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/966147.stm) from the original on 12 December 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BSAs2002_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BSAs2002_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BSAs2002_12-2) Welsh, James (16 May 2002). ["British Soap Awards 2002: Nominations"](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a7412/british-soap-awards-2002-nominations/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. [Hearst Communications](/source/Hearst_Communications). Retrieved 30 April 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Dainty, Sophie (29 July 2014). ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2014 longlist revealed"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a587117/inside-soap-awards-2014-longlist-revealed.html). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Retrieved 29 July 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a658118/inside-soap-awards-2015-longlist-revealed-whos-in-line-for-best-actor-actress-and-newcomer.html). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Retrieved 14 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2016 longlist revealed"](http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a798505/inside-soap-awards-2016-longlist/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Retrieved 23 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Davies, Megan (24 July 2018). ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2018 full longlist revealed: Which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?"](http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a862268/inside-soap-awards-2018-full-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Retrieved 21 November 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2019 longlist has been revealed"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a28250686/inside-soap-awards-2019-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Alexander, Susannah (28 September 2021). ["*Inside Soap* Awards announces 2021 longlist as voting opens – here's who's up for prizes"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a37769663/inside-soap-awards-2021-nominees-longlist-how-to-vote/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. ([Hearst Magazines UK](/source/Hearst_Magazines_UK)). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211002110028/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a37769663/inside-soap-awards-2021-nominees-longlist-how-to-vote/) from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Barrett, Kerry (2 May 2023). ["The British Soap Awards 2023: shortlist nominations, categories, how to vote and all we know"](https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/the-british-soap-awards-2023-categories-nominations-how-to-vote-and-all-we-know). ([Future plc](/source/Future_plc)). Retrieved 3 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Kilkelly, Daniel (4 July 2023). ["Inside Soap Awards 2023 announces full list of nominees"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44420530/inside-soap-awards-2023-nominations/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.

## External links

- [Samantha Giles](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0318495/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Samantha Giles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Giles) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Giles?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.