List of Emmerdale characters (1996)

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1996, by order of first appearance.

Steve Marchant

Main article: Steve Marchant

Andy Sugden

Main article: Andy Sugden

Faye Clarke

Faye Clarke
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Helena Calvert
First appearance	August 1996
Last appearance	October 1996
Introduced by	Mervyn Watson
Classification	Former; recurring

Faye Clarke, played by Helena Calvert, made her first screen appearance in August 1996. Shortly after her introduction, Faye was described as being a "Glamorous blonde" and a "brazen hussy" by Tony Purnell of the Daily Mirror. Another reporter for the paper called Faye "glamorous" and said that she was a "mini-skirted character". They added that Faye had become a favourite with male fans. Describing her first scenes, Purnell said Faye made her entrance in a flash sports car and then "showed off her bare midriff and prompted Terry from the Woolpack to describe her as the perfect woman." On 18 August 1996, it was announced that Calvert had chosen to leave Emmerdale. A Yorkshire TV spokesperson said "Millions of hearts will be broken, but her leaving won't mean things simmer down." Faye leaves her lover Steve Marchant (Paul Opacic) to go to the city.

Granny Hopwood

Granny Hopwood
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Beatrice Kelly
Appears on	1 August 1996
Introduced by	Mervyn Watson
Classification	Former; guest
Family Sons Billy Hopwood Grandsons Andy Sugden Daz Eden Other relatives Sarah Sugden Jack Sugden

Granny Hopwood, played by Beatrice Kelly, is the mother of Billy Hopwood (David Crellin) and grandmother of Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher) and Daz Eden (Luke Tittensor). She is Andy's legal guardian for much his life prior to 1996, as his father, her son Billy is in and out of jail. They live in a run-down Tower Block of Flats in Leeds.

When Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) brings Andy home, he is taken aback by Granny Hopwood's manner and living conditions. While smoking and drinking heavily, She tells him about Billy's imprisonment and wished that Andy would run away and never come back. Three weeks later, Andy tries to wake his grandmother but cannot. Jack initially believes Mrs Hopwood is drunk but when he arrives at the flat, he finds that she has died. Following her death, The Sugden family subsequently foster and adopt Andy.

Lisa Dingle

Main article: Lisa Dingle

James Tate

James Tate
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Jake Meays (1996) Elliott Suckley (1996) Sam Silson (1997) Oliver Carroll(1997) Bradley White (1997-99)
Duration	1996-99
First appearance	24 September 1996
Last appearance	19 January 1999
Introduced by	Mervyn Watson
Classification	Former; recurring
Family Family Tate Father Frank Tate Mother Kim Tate Half brothers Chris Tate Liam Hammond Half sisters Zoe Tate Nephews Joseph Tate Noah Sharma Nieces Jean Tate

James Francis Tate is the son of Frank and Kim Tate. He appeared from 1996 to 1999.

Born in 1996, James Tate is the only child of Frank Tate and his second wife, Kim. His paternity is initially in doubt as Kim had been having an affair with Dave Glover. Dave dies saving James from a fire before the paternity tests show Frank is the father. Kim expresses doubts about the tests, thinking that Frank's money means he could have paid for the test results to be altered; however, after Frank dies in 1997, Dave's father Ned agrees to a second DNA test, which proves James is Frank's son. The following year Kim marries Steve Marchant. They are involved in a hit and run accident while stealing a horse, and Kim puts all the blame on Steve. In January 1999, she escapes with James in a helicopter to avoid being arrested.

Marlon Dingle

Main article: Marlon Dingle

Ashley Thomas

Main article: Ashley Thomas