An legend is returning to the soap after years away - much to the delight of fans. Samantha Giles left the soap two years ago, with her character Bernice Blackstock heading off in 2023 after giving her shares in the B&B to her sister Nicola and fleeing to Portugal to see Diane.

According to The Sun, however, she's soon set to head back for her daughter Gabby Thomas's wedding to Vinny Dingle, with filming due to start in a matter of weeks. An insider told the publication: "Everything is being kept very hush hush but of course Bernice's return is a big deal as one of the soap's most loved characters.

"And Samantha being back among the cast is a real win too, as everyone loves working with her."

She is reportedly only returning for a brief stint - but, as with the surprise return of Robert Sugden star Ryan Hawley proved, that can always change.

Samantha has had four separate stints on Emmerdale, first appearing from 1998 until 2002. She briefly returned in 2004 before departing until 2012, remaining until 2019 before another stint from 2021 until 2023.

Eventually Samantha left to pursue other opportunities, admitting at the time: "I don't feel I'd want to go back to Emmerdale at the moment. I'm enjoying doing other things, and the show changes.

"I haven't had a chance to see what's going on with the show, so I don't know whether Bernice would fit into it at the moment.

"Who knows? They might not want the character to come back. I don't think they've killed her or anything - they could still do that. It's something that's there for the future possibly, or not.

"Never say never is what I'm saying. For now, I'm enjoying doing lots of different things."