Emmerdale viewers in disbelief and 'feeling old' as Sarah Sugden's real age revealed

Emmerdale viewers couldn't believe their ears as young Sarah Sugden celebrated a milestone birthday on the ITV soap on Tuesday.

Her family gathered around to celebrate the birthday in the latest episode, initially pretending to forget the big day.

As Sarah enjoyed her moment, she was saddened to learn her mother Debbie Dingle would not be visiting her from Scotland.

But viewers were distracted from the news, as they couldn't believe how old Sarah was - with her being born on the ITV soap.

Sarah has grown up on the show since her birth in 2005, despite a brief time away from the village before she was a teenager.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed Sarah was now 18 years old as she celebrated this milestone birthday - 18 years to the day that Debbie dramatically gave birth in the woods.

Emmerdale viewers couldn't believe their ears as young Sarah Sugden celebrated a milestone birthday (ITV)

Viewers could not believe how old Sarah was, remembering her as a child and having seen her grow up before their eyes.

Many admitted they thought she was much younger, and that they "felt old" knowing she was now 18.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: "Sarah Sugden is 18 now? WOW. I'm getting old."

Another fan wrote: "How is Sarah 18 already? She was like 12 yesterday," as a third said: "She's 18? Still only looks 14 ffs."

The comments kept on coming too with another reading prior to the episode: "I can't believe Sarah turns 18 next week."

As Sarah enjoyed her moment, she was saddened to learn her mother Debbie Dingle would not be visiting (ITV)

Other fans were more focused on the fact Charley Webb's character Debbie didn't return to celebrate her daughter's big birthday.

While she sent a card and promised a holiday to Spain, viewers were unimpressed with one writing: "18 and her mum is not even there."

It comes amid a sad time for Sarah's grandmother Charity Dingle, after her split with Mackenzie Boyd over his betrayal.

Mack slept with Chloe Harris last summer and she fell pregnant, with her since welcoming their baby son Reuben.

With him keen to be involved in the baby's life despite lying about it all for months, it seems he and Charity will be over for good.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.