Emmerdale fans have seen the return of a popular character.
Tina Dingle, daughter of Nellie and Zak Dingle, has been seen by fans returning to the village for the latter’s funeral. Originally played by acting star Jacqueline Pirie, the character has been recast with Brassic fave Samantha Power portraying Tina for her short return to the village.
Many Emmerdale fans of a certain vintage will remember Tina while, for others, this might be their first introduction. So, we are here to help you get a little better acquainted or just provide a quick refresher.
Appearing in 179 episodes, the character was a firm favourite in the famous Dingle clan - debuting in Emmerdale back in 1994. It is fair to say, viewers saw on-screen Tina have a very up-and-down relationship with Luke McAllister.
Pregnant Tina was due to marry Luke only before a major revelation. The day of the wedding soon arrived and Luke and Tina headed to the altar. However, Tina interrupted the service and revealed that the whole relationship had been an act of revenge for her brother Ben's death.
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Not only that, but there was not, and never had been, a baby. Luke was left devastated by Tina's actions, and a few days later, decided to leave the village and return to his parents in London. Although, Luke later died in tragic circumstances with many in the village turning on Tina.
As she looked to rebuild her life, Tina took a job as Frank Tate's housekeeper at Home Farm. Tina believed that Frank had only offered her the job to annoy his ex wife, Kim. Later in 1996, Tina began a relationship with Steve Marchant, leaving Frank jealous, and he began playing mind games and making unreasonable demands on her time.
Tina eventually stood up to Frank and the pair made up when they attended a residential conference together. Away on the trip that Frank proposed to Tina, however she turned him down telling him that she didn't see him as anything more than her boss.
Viewers later saw the character exit the village for a job in London over the 1996 festive period. In the following years, a few minor references have been made to Tina, mostly about her being aloof, but Zak’s funeral is the first time fans have seen the character feature in-person for nearly 30 years.
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