“Friends and fans have rallied around a former Emmerdale star after they shared a heartbreaking tribute.”
An Emmerdale icon has paid tribute following a devastating loss. Verity Rushworth first appeared on the popular ITV soap in 1998 as Donna Windsor, taking over the role from Sophie Jeffery.
The 40-year-old actress portrayed the much-loved character until 2009, and at the time of her departure, Donna was the third longest-serving character in the Dales. In 2014, it was revealed that Verity would return to the role for a five-month stint.
She made her comeback in March that year, when viewers learned that Donna was battling terminal lung cancer. The storyline ended tragically just months later when Donna took her own life by jumping from a multi-storey car park with Gary North.
Her final appearance came in a flashback the following day, during scenes in which her daughter, April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), was kidnapped and taken to the same car park where Donna died.
Donna’s time on the show featured a number of memorable storylines, including her turbulent marriage to Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), her corruption as a police officer, and her affair with Ross Barton (Michael Parr), reports the Mirror.
On Monday (January 19), Verity took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to her father, Michael, marking the second anniversary of his death.
Alongside a smiling photo of her dad, she wrote: “Two years today xxx Thought about every single day and missed more than anything. The best of the best xxx No 1 Dad.” Friends and followers quickly filled the comments with messages of love and support, many posting heart and dove emojis.
Verity first shared the devastating news of her father’s passing in January 2024, posting an emotional message that read: “Daddy. My ultimate hero xxx Dad fought the fight till the bitter end and showed immense strength and bravery throughout. Dad passed away peacefully in his bed knowing just how very loved he is. We will miss him so very much. The kindest man who never failed to make you laugh. Love you Daddy and thank you for everything.”
Since then, she has continued to honour her late father with several tributes, including a touching post on his birthday last June. Alongside a selection of family photos, she wrote: “Happy heavenly birthday Daddy! We miss you so so much xxx The best dad in the world xx Ethan is your carbon copy xxx So funny, hazel eyes like his Grandad and a very good sport. Hope you’re having a nice cold pint with Nana Iris xxx Love you.”
Since leaving Emmerdale, Verity has appeared in the BBC medical drama Doctors and taken on several theatre roles. She notably played Velma in Chicago at the Curve Theatre in 2014 and portrayed Lauren in the West End production of Kinky Boots in 2017.
Off-screen, Verity is married to theatre director Dominic Shaw, and the couple are proud parents to two children: nine-year-old Amelie and six-year-old Ethan.
On-screen, her character April has had a difficult year in Emmerdale, finding herself homeless before returning to her father, Marlon, and stepmother, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry). However, April soon fell victim to the manipulations of drug dealer Ray Walters and his wicked mother, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), who made her life miserable for several months.
The sinister duo also kept Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) and several other captives prisoner on their farm. In an attempt to start fresh with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy), Ray took drastic action and stabbed his mother in their kitchen.
Ray later met a grim fate when his body was discovered being dragged through the village shortly before the Corriedale crossover. The mystery behind his murder is set to be revealed in a series of flashback episodes this week, leaving viewers questioning who in the village could be responsible.
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