A deadly armed robbery, a tragic plane crash, a shocking whodunnit and a horrific car crash are among Emmerdale’s most memorable Christmas storylines that ended in death.
Death has long been a recurring theme during Christmas in Emmerdale, with the festive period becoming a favoured time to kill off characters.
In 2023, Damon Harris (Robert Beck) was fatally shot by Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), continuing a tradition that stretches back decades. In fact, the soap’s very first Christmas Day death aired almost 30 years ago.
It’s still unclear whether any villagers will meet a tragic end this year, but fans are already speculating that Celia Daniels could suffer a grisly fate following confirmation that actress Jaye Griffiths is set to leave the ITV soap.
Here’s a look back at some of the Christmas deaths that shook the village and changed lives forever.
Vic Windsor
Christmas Day 1998 marked the final moments of postmaster Vic Windsor (Alun Lewis). The much-loved character was tragically killed during an armed robbery carried out by Billy Hopwood (David Crellin), the criminal father of Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher).
Desperate for cash to fund a new life overseas with Andy, Billy chose to break into the Post Office on what he believed would be the quietest day of the year. However, he hadn’t counted on being caught in the act by Vic.
Armed with a shotgun, Billy threatened Vic, and a struggle followed. Vic was thrown into a set of shelves and sustained fatal injuries.
As he lay dying, Vic begged Billy to call for help, but the robber fled the scene, leaving him to die alone. A heartbreaking 11.1 million viewers watched the devastating episode and mourned the loss of the beloved character.
Tom King
Tom King (Kenneth Farrington) met a shocking end during Christmas 2006. The King family patriarch had just married the gold-digging Rosemary Sinclair (Linda Thorson), much to the dismay of his sons.
The reception at Home Farm was in full swing when the day took a sinister turn. Tom was upstairs when a shadowy figure broke into his room and attacked him with a bronze statue.
Moments later, Tom plummeted through the window, landing in front of his horrified guests. He died from a broken neck.
His brutal murder set off the soap’s biggest-ever whodunnit, with numerous villagers under suspicion. The mystery lasted for months before Carl King (Tom Lister), Tom’s own son, was revealed as the killer.
Dave Glover
Dave Glover (Ian Kelsey) played a dangerous game by having an affair with Kim Tate (Claire King), the lady of the manor — and it ultimately cost him his life. For two years, Kim and the dashing farmhand carried on an on-and-off romance behind her husband Frank Tate’s (Norman Bowler) back.
In December 1995, Kim discovered she was pregnant but was unsure of the baby’s paternity. Though she loved Dave, when Frank offered her a million pounds to end the affair and put his name on the birth certificate, Kim chose the money.
Baby James was born the following year, and a DNA test later confirmed Frank was the father. Yet neither Kim nor Dave could sever their bond, and the pair planned to run away together — but fate had other plans.
On Christmas Day 1996, a fire erupted in James’s nursery at Home Farm. Dave heroically battled the flames to save the child, successfully passing him through a window. Tragically, Dave didn’t survive; he made it to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Plane crash
The Emmerdale plane crash, also known as the Beckindale air disaster, marked a major turning point in the soap’s history. The episode aired on December 30, 1993, attracting a record-breaking 18 million viewers — the highest in the show’s history.
Farmer Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines) was driving his mother Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) and her husband Leonard Kempinski (Bernard Archard) to the airport when he swerved to avoid debris from the doomed aircraft. The crash claimed Leonard’s life and left Annie in a coma for three months.
Leonard wasn’t the only victim. The disaster also killed three others: Elizabeth Pollard, Archie Brooks (Zoe Tate’s ex), and local father Mark Hughes. Meanwhile, Chris Tate (Peter Amory), heir to Home Farm, suffered severe injuries that left him confined to a wheelchair permanently.
Ray Mullen
Evil stalker Ray Mullen (Seamus Gubbins) met a gruesome end on BoxingEmmerdale fans were left devastated when Heath Hope (Sebastian Dowling) was killed off on New Year’s Eve 2023.
Heath, his twin sister Cathy (Gabrielle Dowling), and their friend Angelica King (Rebecca Bakes) were eager to ring in 2024 at a house party in Hotten.
The trio decided to steal nurse Wendy Posner’s (Susan Cookson) car to get there, but tragedy struck when the vehicle went off the road.
Heath’s father Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Wendy arrived at the scene to find Angelica and Cathy injured and in shock. Sadly, there was nothing they could do for Heath, whose lifeless body lay slumped in the back seat — he was only 16.
Initially, Cathy took the blame for the crash, but it later emerged that Angelica had been driving. She confessed and was sentenced to prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
Day 2003. The sinister businessman was dating Woolpack landlady Louise Appleton (Emily Symons), but what she didn’t know was that he was also secretly her stalker.
For months, Louise had been terrorised with threatening letters from a mysterious figure. Ray manipulated her, convincing her to move with him to Italy. After saying their goodbyes, they set off on Christmas Day, but en route Louise realised the true danger he posed.
A struggle ensued, causing their car to veer off the road. Ray was knocked unconscious, and Louise escaped — though her nightmare was far from over. On Boxing Day, Ray returned to Mill Cottage for a final deadly confrontation.
In the ensuing fight, Louise killed Ray in self-defence. Her friend Terry Woods (Billy Hartman) discovered the aftermath and helped stage the scene to make it appear as an accident, ensuring Louise wouldn’t be charged. The plan worked, and she got away with murder.
Heath Hope
Emmerdale fans were left devastated when Heath Hope (Sebastian Dowling) was killed off on New Year’s Eve 2023.
Heath, his twin sister Cathy (Gabrielle Dowling), and their friend Angelica King (Rebecca Bakes) were eager to ring in 2024 at a house party in Hotten.
The trio decided to steal nurse Wendy Posner’s (Susan Cookson) car to get there, but tragedy struck when the vehicle went off the road.
Heath’s father Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Wendy arrived at the scene to find Angelica and Cathy injured and in shock. Sadly, there was nothing they could do for Heath, whose lifeless body lay slumped in the back seat — he was only 16.
Initially, Cathy took the blame for the crash, but it later emerged that Angelica had been driving. She confessed and was sentenced to prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
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