Adam Barton
*Adam Thomas *
He made his first appearance in 2009, and Adam Barton has gone on to be involved in some of the soap’s most exciting storylines.
Most recently, he ended up in a love triangle between Victoria Sugden and Vanessa Woodfield. After proposing to Victoria, Adam slept with Vanessa – who fell pregnant. But when the wedding went ahead it was later revealed Kirin Kotecha is the father.
Victoria Barton
Isabel Hodgins
Victoria is the longest-serving female character on the soap, having first appeared in 1994. She is the daughter of Jack Sugden and Sarah Connolly.
Following Adam’s betrayal with Vanessa this year, Victoria accidentally ran over Ashley Thomas. After being told Ashley had died in hospital, Victoria handed herself into the police and was arrested. Upon her release Victoria learned Ashley was still alive and she and Adam eloped to get married.
Finn Barton
Joe Gill
Finn is the youngest of James Barton’s sons and has been in the show since December 2013.
Upon his arrival in the village, Finn revealed that he is gay. He had a brief relationship with nurse Darren Thompson, but Val Pollard sabotaged the relationship after learning of Darren’s HIV status.
Ross Barton
Michael Parr
Fan favourite Ross has been a huge part of Emmerdale since his arrival in 2013.
Most recently he started an affair with his brother Pete’s wife-to-be Debbie Dingle, which resulted in a huge fight between them. Believing he had killed Ross, Pete dumped his body in the woods before confessing all to Debbie.
Ross’ fans petitioned to bring him back – and it was soon revealed he was still alive. Following his brush with death, it was uncovered that Ross was the one who shot Robert Sudgen.
Belle Dingle
Eden Taylor-Draper
Belle has been in the soap since Christmas Day 1998, and has had some huge storylines since. From drinking contaminated alcohol and ending up in a critical condition, to being imprisoned for her part in the death of Gemma Andrews.
Cain Dingle
Jeff Horldey
From a relationship with his cousin Charity, to being attacked and left for dead by his father Zac – Cain has had a dramatic time since joining the line-up in 2000.
Cain later married Moira Barton on the same day Charity tied the knot with Declan Macey, and in January 2014 it was revealed he has a brain aneurysm.
Chas Dingle
*Lucy Pargeter *
Chas made her first appearance on the show in 2002 but, after a few breaks, returned permanently in 2005.
She is the mother of Aaron Livesy, and the ex-wife of Paddy Kirk. During this year’s Disaster Week, while attending Pete and Debbie’s wedding, Chas and her family were caught up in the helicopter crash.
It’s later revealed that scorned wife Chrissie caused the crash, after discovering Aaron’s affair with husband Robert. When Aaron was arresting for shooting Robert, some suspected he was covering for Chas.
Debbie Dingle
Charley Webb
This year alone has been particularly huge for Debbie, who made her first appearance in 2002.
During the lead up to her and Pete Baton’s wedding, she started an affair with his brother Ross. After the helicopter crash and finding out Pete left Ross for dead, she ended their marriage.
Aaron Livesy
*Danny Miller *
Aaron first appeared on the show in 2003, but has been played by Danny Miller since 2006.
One of Aaron’s biggest story lines was coming to terms with his sexuality, his relationship with Jackson Walsh and struggling to cope with his suicide.
After a short break in 2014, Aaron returned and began an affair with Robert Sugden. As a result of being caught up in Robert’s lies, Aaron unwittingly played a part in covering up Katie Sugden’s death.
David Metcalfe
Matthew Wolfenden
David is the illegitimate son of Eric Pollard, and turned up to find him in 2006.
This year he, Alicia Gallagher and her son Jacob moved to Portugal. But they later returned to David could visit his daughter Amba, and to support Eric are Val’s death during Disaster Week.
However Alicia realised the Village held too many sad memories for her, so she and Jacob left David behind and moved back to Portugal.
Jai Sharma
Chris Bisson
Jai was brought into the show in 2009, and has been involved in many dramatic story lines since. From discovering a secret love child, to having many affairs, being in a coma and having a cocaine addiction – he’s done it all.
Recently, as Jai attempted to get custody of son Archie, who he had with Rachel Breckle as a result of a one night stand, he resorted to dirty tactics.
After drugging the recovering addict, he tried to record her but his plan failed when he instead filmed himself cheating on wife Megan with Leyla Harding. Rachel found the tape and tipped off Megan, and the pair planned their revenge.
Nikhil Sharma
*Rik Makarem *
Another fan favourite is Nikhil, who first showed up in the Village in 2009. He stayed until 2013, and made a brief reappearance this year.
He and his wife Genesis, along with their daughter Molly, moved to Toronto in 2013, when Nikhil took a job as a hotel manager.
But he returned in October 2015, when his dad Rishi informed him of brother Jai’s recent behaviour. Nikhil declined his dad’s offer to come back on a permanent basis, but stuck around anyway.
Andy Sugden
*Kelvin Feltcher *
Andy (and Kelvin) have been on our screens since 1996, when he was fostered by Jack and Sarah.
Among his many dramatic story lines, in the past year alone Andy has dealt with the death of his wife Katie – and the revelation that his brother Robert murdered her.
Robert Sugden
Ryan Hawley
Since the character’s debut in 1986, Robert has been played by four actors, with Ryan taking over the part in 2014.
Robert returned with Chrissy White, along with her son Lachlan, and attempted to pick up where he left on in 2009.
But it wasn’t long before started he a gay affair with Aaron, scheming to keep his infidelity a secret. When Katie took a picture of them kissing and threatened to expose them, Robert sent her crashing through the floor at Home Farm and leaving her for dead.
After managing to alienate every one close to him, Robert ended up getting shot in September – by Ross Barton.