Emmerdale icon Jacqueline Chadwick hits out when asked about return to iconic role
Tina Dingle has been absent from Emmerdale since Christmas 1998, when the tearaway headed to London and left her family behind, but now the beloved character has made a surprise return to the Dales
Tina made waves in the village before she upped and left for London (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Emmerdale legend Jacqueline Chadwick has hit out and confirmed she wasn’t asked to return to her iconic role.
The 50-year-old actress played Tina Dingle from 1996 to 1998. The daughter of Zak Dingle made a big impression on the village during her two year stint including being kidnapped by her former fiance Luke, and exiting the Dales when she refused to marry Frank Tate. Fans were surprised to see Tina return to Emmerdale in scenes that aired this week, especially as it was a new actress who was playing the role.
Samantha Power made her debut in Thursday’s dramatic hour-long episode, but fans were left confused over Jacqueline’s absence, as they believed she should be the one bringing the tearaway character back to the ITV soap. Viewers had speculated Jacqueline had not been invited back with the original actress now taking to social media to confirm what really happened with the ‘comeback.’
Jacqueline confirmed she was never approached by Emmerdale bosses to come back to the show, and wished her replacement well.
Jacqueline played Tina for two years
Samantha Power is the new actress who will be playing the iconic character
“So many questions regarding Tina Dingle’s return. Great character, great show. I wish @sampower_sam all the best, I loved playing her, I’m sure she will too, great cast to be a part of… and, no… they didn’t ask me #emmerdale #tinadingle #dingle,” Jacqueline tweeted. Samantha replied to the post, and sweetly wrote: “Thanks so much Jacqueline! Very kind xxx”.
But fans were disappointed she had been replaced, with many suggesting Emmerdale bosses should have brought back the original actress. “Nothing on the lady who was cast but they should have asked you back you was outstanding as the character every emmerdale fan feels the same,” one tweeted, as another agreed: “I haven’t watched for years, but back when I did Tina Dingle was one of my favourites. To not have the courtesy to ask you is pretty poor though.”
Tina Dingle was the daughter of Zak, and left the village in 1998 ( Image: Yorkshire Television)
“Tina was iconic. To have original Tina back would have been awesome,” one fan replied, while a fourth chimed in: “Big shame you were not able to play the part, doesn’t seem the same as you were such an iconic character.”
Samantha’s stint on Emmerdale began with Tina’s arrival in the village for Zak Dingle’s funeral, and she gathered with her on-screen siblings for the emotional scenes. However, the grief soon turned to anger when Tina tried to get her hands on any money left to her, but she was quickly dismissed by the grieving Dingles, who made it clear she wasn’t included in his will.
