Happy birthday, EMMERDALE!

LISA RILEY, CLAIRE KING and returnee DANNY MILLER on the start of a golden month of celebrations for the soap...

EMMERDALE MONDAY-FRIDAY, TIMES VARY, ITV SOAP

In October 1972, a new soap opera, created by playwright Kevin Laffan, hit UK screens. ITV's Emmerdale Farm centred on the fictional Beckindale village, a farming community with the Sugden and Skilbeck clans at its core.

Now, 50 years later, Emmerdale - minus the Farm - is one of the most popular shows on telly, with tales of love, loss, tragedy, and revenge keeping viewers glued. And as the soap begins a golden month of celebrations, the cast and crew are promising drama in its droves.

'It's wedding No.5 for Kim Tate,' reveals our cover star Claire King, 60, who has played the village vixen on and off since 1989. 'She feels deeply for [fiancé] Will. He gives as good as he gets; she trusts and respects him.

The wedding is quite a spectacle - she arrives on horseback - but let's say Kim is in for a stormy ride!'

As previously teased by show boss Jane Hudson, a killer storm is set to wreak havoc, and leave a trail of destruction...

'It has been amazing to film, although it's not so amazing for Mandy's lashes!' laughs Claire's co-star Lisa Riley, 46, better known as the irrepressible Mandy Dingle. I've spent every day picking hay out of my hair!'

We'll be hearing more from Claire and Lisa in the coming weeks as part of our series of special features to celebrate Emmerdale's milestone, but to kick off the party, TV Times caught up with Danny Miller, 31, who is back for a guest stint this week as the iconic Aaron Dingle...

Where has Aaron been since he left the Dales - and what brings him back?