List of Emmerdale characters introduced in 1999
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 1999, by order of first appearance.
Pete Collins
Peter "Pete" Collins, played by Kirk Smith, is known in the village as the lorry driver that crashed into the bus containing Emmerdale residents on the village's main street in 2000. The accident severely injures Butch Dingle and he later died in hospital. Pete is also killed in the accident.Ezra Dingle
Ezra Dingle is Zak Dingle's brother. He first appeared in March 1999, alongside his wife, [|Gwen Dingle], their two children and their dog in an ice-cream van when they arrived at Wishing Well Cottage for the christening of Zak and Lisa Dingle's daughter Belle Dingle. He returned in October 1999 for his niece, Mandy Dingle's wedding to Paddy Kirk. Whilst there, he caused trouble outside the village hall and subsequently left the village.Gwen Dingle
Gwen Dingle is married to Ezra Dingle, who appears in March 1999 alongside Ezra, their two children and their dog in an ice-cream van when they arrived at Wishing Well Cottage for the christening of Zak and Lisa Dingle's daughter Belle Dingle. They got the date for the Christening wrong, so they ended up staying a few days, annoying Lisa. She does not return with Ezra in October 1999 for Mandy Dingle's wedding to Paddy Kirk.Sean Reynolds
Angie Reynolds
Angela "Angie" Reynolds arrived to the village in March 1999 with her husband Sean, son Marc and daughter Ollie. A police sergeant, Angie was eager to move into the village but was frustrated at Sean's delays. She took drastic measures, handcuffing him to the bed until he agreed to sign the contract. She arrested Mandy Dingle after being punched in the face by her.In 2000, Angie was shocked when Marc was injured in a bus crash, though luckily, his injuries were not critical. Later that year, she was devastated when her best friend, Sarah Sugden, was killed in a barn fire caused by Sarah's adoptive son Andy. Sean accused her of having an affair with Sarah's lover Richie. Then her marriage really hits the rocks when she discovers Sean's affair with Lady Tara Oakwell. Angie took her revenge when she punched her in the face in full view of the punters of The Woolpack. Lady Tara tried to get her arrested but no one claimed to have seen anything. Angie threw Sean out of the house, a move which Ollie resented her for.
In 2001, Angie's father-in-law Len comes to stay following the revelation of Sean and Tara's affair and was happy about it, as he was a great source of comfort for the family. Angie had been miserable and lonely and relented to the attentions of Cain Dingle, a well-known criminal. The fling was exciting and dangerous and she thrived, but the excitement soon wore off. Cain was devastated - he was in love and vowed to get revenge. Meanwhile, Angie and Sean have reconciled and after a holiday together he moves back in. Cain was furious and starts to pursue Ollie, warning Angie to resume the affair or he will sleep with Ollie. Angie was worried sick and agreed. But she was late for the liaison and Cain hotfoots it to a willing Ollie. But unsuspecting Len came into the house as they are upstairs in bed. Cain punches the old man and he falls down the stairs unconscious. Angie blamed herself and when Len came round begged him not to press charges against Cain. She told him about the affair. Len keeps his word but Cain, unsatisfied with justice, wreaked havoc on the Reynolds and tells the whole family all about the affair with Angie and Ollie. Sean was enraged and went after him. He beats Cain up in full view of the village. Cain didn't retaliate and pressed charges against Sean. He also told the police all about the affair with Angie resulting in her suspension from the force. Her whole family was in ruins and she blamed herself. Angie puts in for a transfer. But worse is to come when she found out that Marc was responsible for the death of his school teacher Jean Strickland.
In November 2002, Angie plotted with Cain to rob Tate Haulage being moving away with him. But it was revealed that Angie planned to have him arrested. Cain took off in a Tate van, with Angie and Detective Constable Adrien Collins in hot pursuit. After Cain parked his van in a layby on a blind corner and turned off the lights in order to hide in the darkness, the police car overtook him, left the road, flipped over and crashed. Cain dragged an injured Angie out of the car. She tells him to tell her children that she loves them. Cain begs her to tell him that she loves him but she dies in his arms.
Frankie Smith
Frankie Smith, originally played by Gina Aris, first appeared in 1999, working as a lorry driver for Reynolds Haulage, run by Sean Reynolds, which had merged with Chris Tate's business, Tate Haulage. She caught the attentions of Chris' sister, Zoe Tate, who subsequently became smitten with her. Zoe was disappointed when Frankie brought her girlfriend, [|Maggie Cassidy] along to her birthday party. Zoe tried to gain Frankie's affections, but she wanted to stay with Maggie, until she broke up with her and left the village in August 1999.In January 2000, Frankie returned, now being played by Madeleine Bowyer. This time, she and Zoe built up a relationship, but when one of the Tate Haulage lorries crashed into a bus, killing lorry driver Pete Collins and passengers Butch Dingle, it did put their relationship on the rocks as it seemed as though the Tates didn't care, but Zoe proved that she did. In November 2000, their relationship ended when Zoe realised that she didn't have any more feelings for Frankie and in January 2001, Frankie left the village.
Gavin Ferris
Gavin Ferris, portrayed by Robert Beck, was a bartender at The Woolpack, who was introduced as a love interest for Bernice Blackstock, whom he later embarked on a relationship with. He soon bought the pub. Gavin was a womaniser and had previously slept with Tricia Stokes, who he told that he was addicted to women, making her feel cheap, before entering his relationship with Bernice. Gavin and Bernice split up when she and Tricia caught him kissing Tricia's boyfriend, Jason Kirk, and then planned to leave the village. Bernice, who was distraught, trashed his belongings. She claimed she still loved him, but couldn't give him a second chance due to her ex-husband, Anthony Binns, had also turned out to be gay. Gavin decided there was nothing left for him in Emmerdale, so he departed leaving Bernice to find someone else to pay off the mortgage on the pub. In January 2000, two weeks after Gavin left, Tricia asked her grandfather, Alan Turner what would be happening to the pub.24 years later, in 2023, Beck returned to Emmerdale, playing a different role. This time playing gangster Damon Harris. Beck commented on his return to the programme and referenced Gavin. He said, "I am thrilled to be working on Emmerdale again, it’s a great show that I have followed for years, with a fabulous cast. It has always had a special place in my heart. I had a fantastic time working on the show playing Gavin Ferris, 24 years ago. The cast and crew were so welcoming and of course, I met my wife because of that job so I have much to thank Emmerdale for! I'm looking forward to getting involved and to working with such a great bunch again."
Emily Kirk
Richie Carter
Richie Carter, played by Glenn Lamont, made his first appearance on 19 May 1999. Richie is perhaps best known for his affair with Sarah Sugden. Lamont reprised the role in 2007 as part of the show's 35th anniversary. A writer for the Bolton News described Richie as "a womaniser". Vikki White of the Daily Mirror listed the scene where Richie and Sarah are caught in a barn fire in their feature on Emmerdale's 40th anniversary as one of the serial's most dramatic disaster storylines.Richie goes into business with his friend Scott Windsor and rents a room from Sarah and Jack Sugden. He develops feelings for Sarah and they soon begin an affair. Sarah agrees to leave Jack, but Richie becomes frustrated when weeks go by and she keeps stalling. He eventually packs her bags for her on the day of the May Fair and when the couple return home, Richie tells Jack the truth. Sarah and Richie leave the farm together. Sarah wins custody of her daughter Victoria, but Richie is not keen on being a father figure to her. Sarah eventually ends the affair. One night Richie asks Sarah if they can talk and they go into a barn at the farm together. They hide when they hear someone enter and assume it is Jack. However, it is Andy Sugden, who sets fire to the barn as part of an insurance scam. Richie manages to escape, but Sarah cannot leave as she is too scared. Richie is knocked down by an explosion, but continues to try and save her. Jack rushes out of the house to help, but the barn blows up killing Sarah instantly. Richie later leaves the village. Years later, Victoria tracks Richie down and asks him for the truth about Sarah's death, having long believed that Jack was responsible. Richie says Jack is covering for someone, and even takes the blame, but he becomes scared Victoria will call the police, so he leaves.