‘Most loved' ITV star set to make series return after 2 year absence
Bernice Blackstock is reportedly returning to Emmerdale, two years on from her departure.
Samantha Giles has played Bernice on and off from 1998. The character is the biological mother of Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham), and was often involved in light-hearted storylines to contrast the ongoing drama in the village.
In November 2023, Bernice's sister Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) discovered that she had been buying things in her name.
With Bernice drowning in debt, she attempted to run away and leave her family to pick up the pieces, but Gabby helped her realise that putting things right and facing her problems would be best.
To pay off the debt, Bernice gave Nicola her shares in the B&B. She then left the Dales for Portugal to visit Diane (Elizabeth Estensen).
Bernice is reportedly heading back to the Dales ahead of Gabby and Vinny Dingle's (Bradley Johnson) wedding. According to The Sun, Samantha is due to start filming in a couple of weeks.
'Everything is being kept very hush hush but of course Bernice's return is a big deal as one of the soap's most loved characters', a source told the publication.
'And Samantha being back among the cast is a real win too, as everyone loves working with her.'
Metro has contacted Emmerdale for a comment.
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Vinny and Gabby announced their engagement to Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) and Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) a few weeks ago, and suffice to say it took them both by surprise. More Trending
The couple haven't been together for very long, but decided they both wanted to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.
But what drama will they face in the lead up to the big day? Well, this week we saw Vinny try to kiss his new mate Kammy (Shebz Miah).
Surely Gabby won't be happy to hear this!
View More »
This article was originally published on 5th June 2025.
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