List of Emmerdale characters introduced in 2006
The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale in 2006, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the soap's executive producer, Keith Richardson.
Samson Dingle
Samson Dingle, played by Sam Hall, is the son of Sam and Alice Dingle. He has appeared since January 2006. The character has also been played by other actors in the past, one being Ben Shooter, who was controversially sacked in 2008 for "crying on set". Following this, Shooter's mother Emma slammed producer Anita Turner and claimed that he was treated like a "prop" and that he had to film "horrifying" scenes.After discovering she is pregnant, Alice falls ill with cancer. She is advised to terminate the pregnancy to start chemotherapy immediately, but she refuses to abort. She gives birth prematurely via a caesarean section, and her son is named Samson. After stopping her chemotherapy because it is not working, Alice dies. After Alice's death, Sam vows to bring up Samson on his own and moves into his own cottage. However, he finds it difficult to cope and someone calls social services. Samson is knocked down by Val Pollard in her jeep. He soon recovers, but Sam goes on the run with Samson because he is worried he will be taken away from him. An arrangement is later made and Sam is allowed to keep Samson. He later moves back in with Sam and the Dingle family.
It became known that Amelia Spencer was pregnant and that Samson was the father. In October 2022, Esther Spencer was born and although Samson by no means wanted no part in this, he started to come to his senses and helped Amelia for their baby.
In 2024, it was announced that Sam Hall would be leaving the role of Samson Dingle after fifteen years. In June 2024, Samson ended up befriending a boy called Josh Cope, who was transphobic. He ended up being stabbed by Matty Barton, who was holding a knife whilst chopping fruits, after Josh pushed Samson into him. Rumours had speculated that Samson was going to be killed off, however Hall confirmed this was not the case. Hall told Inside Soap, "well, I don't want to give too much away, but Samson has some really big stuff coming up. However, don't worry, as he's definitely not being killed off! There are some good stories coming up for him, and I was very excited when I read the scripts." Hall also said he "enjoys playing the 'mean' side of Samson, even while his 'good side' tends to shine through." Hall continued, "Like with the baby storyline, he was worrying about Amelia being okay for Esther because Samson obviously lost his mum – and he didn't want his kid to grow up without a mum. So, he can get angry, but his intentions are always right in the end."
[|Vonda] Lockhart
Vonda Lockhart is Bob Hope's ex-wife. Bob and Vonda, a show dancer in Las Vegas, met in 1994 on a cruise and drunkenly got married aboard the ship. They divorced after the cruise. Unknown to Bob, Vonda fell pregnant and gave birth to [|Roxy], his fifth child.In 2006, when Bob is planning to remarry Viv she wants to have all of his children there. They find out about Roxy, and she and Vonda come to the village for the wedding. In 2007, Vonda and Roxy return to the village when the former is doing a tour of Northern England decides that Roxy should spend some time with Bob.
Roxy Lockhart
Roxy Lockhart is the daughter of Bob Hope. She appeared in 2006 and 2007.Bob does not know of Roxy's existence until near the time of his second marriage to Viv when Viv wants to have all his children there. He had married Roxy's mother Vonda when they were drunk on a cruise and they got a quick divorce. Vonda later gave birth without Bob knowing. Vonda and Roxy only stay for Bob's wedding. Roxy has done many beauty pageants back home in America.
The following year, Vonda is employed to tour in the North of England, and decides that Bob and Roxy should spend some time together while she is working. However, Bob spends too much time with his new born twins, Cathy and Heath, and forgets to feed Roxy. When he does, she begins choking and Jimmy King performs the Heimlich Manoeuvre on Roxy and saves her. Vonda arrives after this and accuses Bob of being a neglectful father. They leave shortly after and Bob gives Roxy a bracelet that belonged to his late daughter, Roxy's half-sister Dawn. Roxy returns to the village for Cathy and Heath's christening and is asked to be Cathy's godmother. She is annoyed, however, that she is not the only godmother and after Bob flees the church, she tells him he is a loser. Vonda and Roxy then leave Emmerdale. Bob visits Roxy in 2008 as the two have since made up.
Jamie Hope
Owen Hartbourne
Owen Hartbourne is the grandson of Pearl Ladderbanks. He appeared in 2006 and 2007.Owen - who lives in Hong Kong - arrives in the village looking for his father, Frank Bernard. Pearl lies and tells him he is dead. However, when Owen wants to visit his grave, Pearl has to tell him that is father is alive but has been in prison for rape. Owen returns in May 2007 to help Pearl deal with the death of Len Reynolds. Pearl joins him in 2020. Four years latter, Owen sends Paddy Dingle and Rhona Goskirk a letter telling them that Pearl has died.
Alasdair Sinclair
Alasdair Charles Sinclair is Grayson Sinclair's brother. He first appears in early 2006 as the fiancé of Sadie King. His mother, Rosemary, tries to persuade him not to marry her but to no avail. On the wedding day, Sadie's ex-brother-in-law, Matthew King gatecrashes the wedding. The wedding goes ahead, but Sadie soon leaves Alasdair for Matthew.Alasdair returns to the village several times, including for his mother's engagement to Tom King but returns to Dubai for work. On New Year's Day 2008, he returns for Rosemary's funeral. This is Alasdair's last appearance.
Grayson Sinclair
Perdita Hyde-Sinclair
Rosemary King
Beryl and Barney Chugspoke
Beryl and Barney Chugspoke, played by Georgina Hale and David Huw Thomas, respectively made their first appearance on 9 June 2006. The Chugspokes' casting was announced on 12 May 2006, a month before their debut. The duo were originally conceived as a married couple but were referred to as siblings when their first episode aired. Hale and Edwards were contracted for eight episodes. A writer from Inside Soap described the Chugspokes as a "pair of wasters" An Emmerdale spokesperson said: "We're delighted to have Georgina on board. This is a very funny storyline - viewers are in for a treat!"Barney and Beryl arrive in Emmerdale after their campervan breaks down outside of Wishing Well Cottage and ask Lisa Dingle to fix it. However, the pair soon begin to outstay their welcome with their behaviour and ingratitude. Shadrach Dingle devises a plan to get rid of them by faking a hurt leg when they go out truffle hunting and frames them for stealing Belle's pet pig, Petal. A row ensues between Lisa and Beryl and the Chugspokes are ordered to leave.
Ray Stead
Ray Stead is the owner of a chain of bookmakers. In June 2006, Pearl Ladderbanks, an old friend of his, visits one of his shops. After a horse she bets on wins, Ray convinces her to place further bets, it leaves her in a lot of debt. A few days later, Ray turns up in the village to see Pearl, but she isn't in and is greeted by her partner Len Reynolds. Ray tells Len that Pearl owes him £600, which Len offers to pay, and says that he has a couple of weeks to pay.A year later, Marlon Dingle visits another of Ray's shops when he decides to secretly bet all £3,000 he received from the sale of building materials to win £20,000 he and his wife Donna need for a deposit. Marlon's horse wins, but Ray rips him off by eating the betting slip, leaving him with nothing. Marlon tells his furious brother Eli about the debacle. Marlon vows to get the money back and Eli decides to help him out, as long as Marlon follows his plan. Marlon and Eli turn up to do the job at the bookies in a stolen car, but Marlon is horrified when Eli reveals that he's brought a gun. Eli threatens Ray and is almost successful when a customer walks in and a struggle ensures. Marlon walks in to see Eli threatening Ray and a customer with the gun and he tries to grab the weapon. But the gun goes off and Marlon is left in a pool of blood, as he urges Eli to run for the door. Ray and the customer ring for an ambulance and Marlon is rushed to hospital. A few days later, Ray, who is grateful to Marlon for preventing the robbery and feeling guilty, turns up at the hospital to give him his winnings.
Dr Josephine Abbott
Dr Josephine Abbott, played by Kate Maravan, is a local GP who first appeared in 2006, introduced by then-series producer, Kathleen Beedles. She continues to appear in the show, whenever a character visits her at her surgery, which is presumably in Hotton. She first appears when Jasmine Thomas visits her after she is too unwell to attend the funeral of Dawn Woods. Dr Abbott tells Jasmine that she is pregnant, but Jasmine doesn't believe it and leaves. Jasmine returns the following day and tells Dr Abbott that she had unprotected sex, and Dr Abbott advises Jasmine to book herself into an STD clinic as a precaution. Later, she visits a very weak Alice Dingle and tells Alice that she would like to admit her to hospital, but Alice doesn't want to.In 2013, her appearances have included when Belle Dingle was taken by her mother, Lisa to discuss contraception with Dr. Abbott, and the occasions when Rhona Goskirk visits her in connection with her back injury. Viewers have seen Rhona becoming addicted to her painkillers and getting frustrated with Dr. Abbott for lowering her dosage.
Charles Vaughan
Charles Vaughan is a friend of Tom King and the superintendent of Hotten police station. He appeared from 2006 to 2009.Vaughan first appears when his old friend Tom is kidnapped by Cain Dingle and Sadie King. Tom later chooses Vaughan as his best man for his Christmas Day wedding to Rosemary Sinclair. Tom is murdered on his wedding day and after his death Vaughan becomes close to Tom's widow Rosemary. Tom's son, Matthew King makes an unofficial complaint to DCI Grace Barraclough, about their closeness. Barraclough then speaks to Vaughan, who realises that he should have a professional relationship only with Rosemary.
After this investigation, Vaughan continues to appear as the senior police officer. He gets involved in 2008 when Donna Windsor-Dingle makes a complaint about PC Shane Doyle. He advises Donna not to make a formal complaint as it might affect her career. On 30 December 2008, Shane's body is found in a local lake. Early the following month, he goes to Matthew's funeral.