Emmerdale reveals Diane Sugden's return storyline for 50th anniversary

 It will be a bittersweet day.

Diane Sugden is about to make her Emmerdale comeback a year after leaving the village behind.

In August, it was revealed that actress Elizabeth Estensen had agreed to reprise the role for the soap's 50th anniversary event. Her character Diane will be back for a guest stint in Faith Dingle's (Sally Dexter) final goodbye.

As Faith is dying from cancer, she is determined to enjoy whatever time she has left. Speaking with Aaron (Danny Miller), she has an idea: she would love to spend the day with the Dingles at the beach.

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When Faith's health takes a turn, it becomes clear she can't go, so her family and friends decide to take the seaside to the village.

She's delighted to see what her loved ones have organised for her. But Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Rodney (Patrick Mower) have one more surprise in store for Faith: it's her pal Diane, returning to the village to see her.

While everyone is enjoying their day, they're unaware that Faith has decided to go out on her own terms and end her own life. Moira (Natalie J Robb), in the know about Faith's plan, is worried.

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"I was really pleased to be asked to come back to Emmerdale to celebrate its 50th. It's sort of the same but not the same," Estensen said of her return storyline.

Speaking about her decision to leave in 2021, the actress said: "Emmerdale will always remain special to me. I've been treated with respect and kindness, and I've had the very best friends and colleagues, both past and present. I'll miss everyone dearly."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, and streams on the ITV Hub. The 50th anniversary episode will air on Sunday, October 16.