Atkins considers long-term Dales future

Emmerdale returnee Emma Atkins has revealed that the soap's producers want her to "stick around" for a permanent comeback.

In March, it was confirmed that the actress would reprise her role as Charity Tate on the ITV1 drama. Viewers will see the launch of her new stint this week.

The decision to bring Charity back to the village came as part of new series producer Gavin Blyth's ongoing revamp of the Yorkshire-based soap. Blyth joined the programme in January following the departure of his predecessor Anita Turner.

In an interview with DS, Atkins has now confirmed that she is under a six-month contract and will decide her long-term future at a later date.

"Gavin and I had a real heart-to-heart and he's very approachable," she explained. "I've been a jobbing actress for five years and I've really enjoyed the freedom of going and playing other roles. He was really understanding of that.

"Obviously he wants me to stick around and it seems that might be the way it will go, but until six months is up, I don't think anyone knows."

Charity's shock return sees her unveiled as the bride of her daughter Debbie Dingle's (Charley Webb) lover Michael (Jamie Belman).

Atkins commented: "I went to meet Gavin up in Leeds and it was fantastic. He gave me this incredible story outline and I sat there thinking, 'I'd be a bit stupid to say no really!' Six months work for any actress is a wonderful opportunity and it'd have been daft to turn it down."

Charity was last seen in Emmerdale in 2005.

> Click here to read our full interview with Emma Atkins