Emmerdale star Paula Tilbrook dies aged 89

She played Betty Eagleton on the soap for 21 years

PAULA TILBROOK AS BETTY EAGLETON ON EMMERDALE

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

Paula Tilbrook, who played the role of Betty Eagleton on ITV soap Emmerdale for a massive 21 years, has sadly passed away at the age of 89.

News of Paula's sad passing was announced on theatre website The Stage on Wednesday 15th July, with reports suggesting she died peacefully a number of months ago at her home, surrounded by her family.

Paula's family released a statement reading, "The family of Paula Tilbrook are sad to confirm the peaceful passing of their beloved Paula.

"She died of natural causes a few months ago at home with her loved ones beside her. The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time."

CAST OF EMMERDALE MET THE QUEEN
CAST OF EMMERDALE MET THE QUEEN ©© Getty Images

Emmerdale: Cain Dingle vows VENGEANCE on D.I Malone

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Emmerdale Monday 20 - Friday 24 July

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Following the hit and run Moira is still battling for her life in hospital and Cain has his suspicions about who is behind the attack.

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Bristling with fury at what's happened to Moira, Cain assures Harriet that he'll be avenging Moira and that Malone should watch his back.

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But Harriet is insistent that Malone had nothing to do with Moira's attack and begs Cain not to do anything rash. Will he heed her warning?

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Later on, Malone visits Harriet at the church and pours his heart out to her, insisting she can't marry Will because he's still completely in love with her.

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A desperate Malone begs Harriet to run away with him so that they can elope and begin a new life, leaving Harriet reeling at the unexpected admission.

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Later on Malone visits the garage and, finding Will's car parked and unlocked, goes to leave a dealer-sized bag of drugs in the glove box.

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But he's soon interrupted by Will, who catches Malone red handed trying to set him up. Will confronts Malone about what he's doing.

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Soon, a row breaks out between the two men, both of them determined to prove themselves the alpha male and win Harriet's affection.

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As things get physical, each of them throws punches and in the aftermath of the fight, one of them is left in a crumpled, lifeless heap on the floor.

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Elsewhere, Jamie is desperately trying to make things up with Belle but it's clear Belle is trying to move on when she refuses to join him for a drink.

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Jamie's devastated he may have lost Belle for good. Back at Home Farm, Andrea lets slip to Kim that Jamie is responsible for Moira's hit and run.

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Experienced in such matters, Kim jumps into action to clear up any evidence, but Andrea knows she's holding all the cards and says that from now on, it's her way or the highway.

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Meanwhile, Lydia hasn't been herself recently and opens up to Chas about her fears around getting the Huntington's test.

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And Chas tells Lydia that she understands her fears but that the only way to settle her mind is to have the test.

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Lydia is reflective about what she's putting Sam through and knows the only way to know for sure is to go through with it. What will she decide?

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At the café, Jimmy is growing frustrated with Nicola's meddling in how the place is run and tells her to butt out of his affairs.

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But Nicola certainly has other ideas and refuses to be sidelined in the running of the establishment.

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When Charity overhears that Al's stuck in Aberdeen she suggests that she and Priya make a deal – Debbie will fix his car, if Priya rings Kirin's sister.

Paula joined the cast of Emmerdale back in 1994, playing the role of Betty until 2015, picking up a number of high-profile storylines along the way.

Paula made the decision to retire in 2015, with her final scenes as Betty airing later that year in May. However, the actress made a brief comeback to the soap for a Christmas Day special in 2015, appearing via a video chat to speak to her former neighbours.

Although her role in Emmerdale is her most famous, Paula also appeared inCoronation Street as Estelle Plimpton, and other shows such as Open All Hours, Last of the Summer Wine, and Tales of the Unexpected.

When is Emmerdale on TV?

Emmerdale has stripped back to two episodes a week: Monday and Wednesday at 7pm.

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