An Emmerdale legend will make a surprise return on Thursday night, despite being killed off five years ago.
Lisa Dingle, played by actress Jane Cox, was originally written out of the show in 2019 after the character was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a terminal heart condition.
But she will make a ghostly appearance in the Yorkshire Dales as screen daughter Belle prepares to marry abusive fiancée Tom King.
A source said The sun: ‘Belle faces a terrible future when Tom’s true colors emerge, but her mother Lisa will be there for her in spirit.
Actress Jane Cox reprized her role in a special way for the surprise performance.
Lisa Dingle, played by actress Jane Cox, will make a surprise return on Thursday night despite being murdered five years ago (pictured with Zak Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell)
She will make a ghostly appearance in the Yorkshire Dales when screen daughter Belle marries abusive fiancée Tom King
It really is one of the most poignant moments in Emmerdale. Jane was more than happy to return in her own special way, but unfortunately she was unable to visit the set and reunite with her on-screen daughter in person.”
Cox played the matriarch of the Dingle family for 23 years before her emotional departure, but has since made a handful of brief guest appearances, albeit in voiceover.
Her latest return comes just two months after the death of actor Steve Halliwell, who starred alongside Cox as screen husband Zak Dingle.
Halliwell, who was the second longest-serving cast member after joining Emmerdale in 1994, died on December 15 at the age of 77 in a hospice in Leeds.
At an Emmerdale press event in January, actress Eden Taylor-Draper – who plays daughter Belle – revealed his funeral took place the day before her wedding scenes were filmed.
She said: “We had the funeral yesterday and all the Dingles were there, it was beautiful. Steve obviously plays a big role in our lives and it’s wonderful to be here on set because he’s still with us every moment.”
Halliwell’s family paid tribute to the ‘amazing father and grandfather’ in a heartfelt statement: ‘He went to sleep peacefully with his loved ones around him.
‘He made us laugh until the end, the most wonderful father and grandfather you could ask for, family was everything to him.
Cox originally left the show in 2019 after Lisa was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a terminal heart condition
Her return comes just two months after the death of Steve Halliwell, who starred alongside Cox as screen husband Zak Dingle
‘We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn’t want sadness, but just to be happy with a life well lived.’
ITV added: ‘All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones at this very difficult time, and we ask that their privacy is respected as they mourn his loss.
‘Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family.
‘Heart and humor in everything he did, it is and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.