Emmerdale icon 'set for shock return to the Dales after years away in explosive new storyline'
Champagne corks will be popping at The Woolpack as Emmerdale 's beloved barmaid Bernice Blackstock is reportedly making a comeback.
According to The Sun, actress Samantha Giles, 53, is set to return to the ITV soap after two years off-screen.
However, fans will reportedly have to savour every moment of her scenes, as her return is expected to be brief.
Samantha's character Bernice is said to be back in the Dales for Gabby and Vinny's wedding, with filming due to start in a couple of weeks.
A source told the publication: '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.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'And Samantha being back among the cast is a real win too, as everyone loves working with her.'
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
Samantha first joined Emmerdale in November 1998 and stayed until April 2002. She returned for two further stints, once in 2004 and again in 2023.
She left the show two years ago to pursue other opportunities, including a theatre production of The Syndicate.
During an interview at the time, Samatha was asked if she would ever return to Emmerdale.
She replied: 'I don't feel I'd want to go back to Emmerdale at the moment. I'm enjoying doing other things, and the show changes.
'I haven't had a chance to see what's going on with the show, so I don't know whether Bernice would fit into it at the moment.
She added: 'Who knows? They might not want the character to come back.'
A source told the publication: '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' (pictured 2023)
Samantha's character Bernice is said to be back in the Dales for Gabby and Vinny's wedding, with filming due to start in a couple of weeks (Rosie Bentham and Bradley Johnson pictured in April)
In 2023, Samantha called time on playing barmaid Bernice Blackstock after 25 years.
A source told The Sun at the time: 'Bernice Blackstock has been in and out of Emmerdale village more than they change the barrels at The Woolpack.
'She's always welcomed back with open arms by ITV and fans alike, but it's now becoming a bit of a running joke.
'It wouldn't pay to bet on whether Samantha will one day be back, but for now, she will leave the soap later this year.'
During her stint on the show, Samantha's character was involved in a whole host of dramatic storylines, and she was awarded Best Soap Actress at the 2000 TV Quick Awards.
She originally exited the show in 2002 before joining the cast of Hollyoaks in 2008 as Valerie Holden, a role she played for two years.
Samantha then returned to the dales in 2012 for a seven-year stretch before leaving again to pen her children's book Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle Hill.
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