As the rural soap nears its 40th birthday in October, we honour the show – known as Emmerdale Farm until 1989 - created by Kevin Laffan. And what a long way it's come! From the early days when the Sugdens took centre stage, to the cataclysmic plane crash in December 1993 that saw the village of Beckindale renamed Emmerdale. With iconic characters like Amos Brierley, Seth Armstrong, Kim Tate and the wily Dingles, Emmerdale has cemented its place in British hearts. Here’s to the next 40 years!