Emmerdale's landmark anniversary is taking place this month as the ITV soap celebrates five decades on our television screens with an hour long special episode set to air on the official birthday. On the lead-up to the milestone event, the long-running drama has been releasing some special photoshoots featuring members of the cast.
A new image has been released of five cast members in a 70s-style photoshoot - to mark the decade in which hit ITV soap, previously known as Emmerdale Farm, first launched. Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe Harris; Rosie Bentham, who plays Gabby Thomas; Katie Hill, who stars as Sarah Sugden; Daisy Campbell, who plays Amelia Spencer and Karene Peter, who stars as Naomi Walters, stepped back in time for the shoot and donned vintage style outfits paying homage to 1972 - the year the very first Emmerdale episode aired.
“I absolutely loved the shoot," Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe Harris, said: "It was so great to see everyone all together in the outfits and dance around to some 70s music. All the girls have been doing such an amazing job on screen, so it was great to get to celebrate with them during this shoot!”
Rosie Bentham, who has been on our screens as Gabby Thomas since 2016 added that the photoshoot was "so much fun". The 21-year-old said: "Choosing the outfits and getting all made up, really got us all excited for the 50th celebrations.
"There’s so much exciting stuff going on in the anniversary episodes," the actress added: "And it was nice to play around with costume and makeup to feel proper 70s vibes - with some tunes on too! I’m so lucky to be involved in such an exciting, and a huge moment in history, for Emmerdale.”
Katie Hill said the group had a "great time" getting all glammed up for the 70s photoshoot. “It's been great fun being in the show during its 50th anniversary!" the 19-year-old actress said: "Not only seeing all the exciting storylines that are going on, but also having the opportunity to do this fun 70s themed photoshoot.
"We had a great time on the day getting our hair and makeup done 70s style, and the costumes were so cool. It was lots of fun jumping back in time for the day."
"Playing dress up as an adult can’t ever not be fun, really," newcomer Karene Peter said of the photoshoot: "We got some amazing photos and it’s such an epic time to have joined the show, at such a pinnacle moment in its history!”
Daisy Campbell, has recently been part of some huge storylines as her character Amelia discovered she was pregnant this summer. Talking about swapping outfits for the day, Daisy said: “I’ve been wearing a pregnancy bump for the last few months so it was great to glam up. It’s such an honour to be a part of Emmerdale’s 50 years.
"I feel unbelievably lucky," She added: "It was such a great day on the shoot especially as I got to share it with these four amazing ladies. It was super cool and the costumes and make-up were unbelievable. Everyone put so much effort into it. I really feel like I was meant to be part of that era!”
Last week a picture was shared of the newest cast members to join the soap over the last couple of years. Karene Peter, Martelle Edinborough, Kevin Mathurin, Louise Jameson, Darcy Grey, Lawrence Robb, Emile John and Jessie Elland got glammed up for the special shoot and spoke of what it's been like joining the long-running drama during this special year.
A full official cast photograph taken outside the Woolpack pub on the set of Emmerdale was also released in September. ITV will be broadcasting the hour long episode on Sunday, October 16 to mark the 50th anniversary.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV and ITV Hub from 7.30pm.
