Millions of us watch Emmerdale but it is not often you get to spend a day with its stars and have a little wander around the TV show's setting.
Alongside my colleague Megan Shaw, I was one of the lucky journalists invited to the actual purpose-built village, off Eccup Lane, where the popular soap is filmed to hear what’s planned for Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary - happening this October. Among the major storylines, we know old faces will be returning, there will be a wedding and a major storm which will likely, in true soap fashion, end in tragedy.
To give us a steer on what lies ahead, some of the lovely stars from the soap greeted reporters in the village alongside Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson and producer Kate Brooks. Soap favourites who attended the big media briefing included Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle, Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle and Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona Goskirk, among many others.
Read more: Old favourites confirmed to return for Emmerdale's 50th anniversary celebrations
They told us as much as they could about what is planned while, of course, keeping some of their cards close to their chests. We wouldn’t want all the surprises spoilt - would we?
Given it was a beautifully sunny day, those who attended enjoyed a barbecue outside with the Emmerdale team and were even treated to a Mr Whippy from the ice cream van (we didn't pay but if we were to the old fashioned van only charges 30p!). As days working go, it was hard to complain greatly.
In the down time between interviews and press conferences, for the various stories we’ve produced in recent weeks, we were given an opportunity to wander around the village. The first thing to say is that it feels like a beautiful quaint Yorkshire village - because it is.
As diehard Emmerdale fans will know, the real village of Esholt had been used as the location for Emmerdale’s exterior scenes for 22 years. In 1998, the current 11-acre village was built as a permanent home.
Built in just 20 weeks, the village has its own supply of essentials including electricity and water, phone lines, sanitation and a high-tech security system. Many of the properties are based on housing designs from the 1600s and built in traditional Yorkshire limestone.
Some were replicated from Esholt. The Woolpack is built exactly as it originally looked in Esholt. Instead of popping in the Woolie for a pint, we had a wander inside the church and the village hall - it is really something coming across the little details.
While all the village is something to behold, particularly if you are a fan, undeniably one of the most eye-catching features is the massive pirate ship. Located in the garden of Mulberry Cottage, in between the house and The Grange, fans will likely remember the pirate ship was introduced as something special for character Ashley Thomas to share with son Arthur Thomas before the former’s dementia took hold.
I didn’t want to take too many liberties given how friendly the Emmerdale had been but I rather fancied a play on it - perhaps another time. Attention to detail was an overwhelming feature during our visit.
The filming location certainly feels like a vast space and as we’d previously reported real headstones, salvaged from an 18th century East London graveyard during its redevelopment, are used in the Emmerdale graveyard.
You can understand why so many acting stars talk so glowingly of the set and find it hard to leave. During the rest of our wander we bumped into Jay Kontzle, who plays Billy Fletcher, as well as Fiona Wade, who fans will know as Priya Sharma, and Chris Bisson, who plays Jai Sharma.
They posed outside the Woolie for a big group photo with a massive cake of the famous pub - to celebrate their upcoming milestone. We were even treated to a glass of bubbly to give Emmerdale a much-deserved toast.
The village is open for fans as part of a tour experience although we can’t guarantee you’ll bump into any of your faves. If you’d like to do the Emmerdale Village Tour you can find out more by visiting the attraction’s website.
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars. There you'll also find our Emmerdale features and news about the show's 50th anniversary plans.
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