Emmerdale fans have travelled the length and breadth of the country - and some from across the world - to get their hands on special limited edition memorabilia as the soap celebrates its 50th year.
The long-running soap was first broadcast on ITV in 1972 - and a fair bit has happened in the Yorkshire village since then. This year Emmerdale celebrates it's 50th year, and is treating its dedicated fans who have travelled far and wide to visit the set.
Viewers are also being treated to a retrospective documentary to get them in the mood for the dramatic storylines this week. At 6pm on ITV, lots of cast members, past and present are set to appear to share their memories in Emmerdale - 50 Unforgettable Years.
Read more: Live Emmerdale 50th anniversary updates spoilers and gossip as major storm hits village
Then at 7pm the hour-long Emmerdale special featuring the soap’s much-publicised storm will air. In terms of what to expect, Emmerdale boss Jane Hudson has teased fans with a little hint.
She said: “It is all in the daytime, it is very much a wind storm rather than a rain storm. We’ve got some amazing wind machines being tested at the moment which are epic.”
Jane added: “One element which will feel different, trust me, as nobody has done it and no other soap could do it apart from Emmerdale because of where we are. That’s a hint for you all.”
LeedsLive reporter Megan Banner joined fans on a tour around the Emmerdale set on Sunday - and met many who had travelled from far away wanting to get a taste of the action before Sunday's TV celebrations.
Joyce, Amanda and Micheal travelled all the way from the Midlands. Joyce said: “I have watched it more or less from the start, I love to follow the story lines. I know it’s not real but you just get involved."
Amanda added: “They are good actors it makes it believable.” Micheal said: “Faith dying made it seem like she has really died, they’re real stories that does really happen to people.
“And Marlon played a stroke victim so well.”
Tour guide Clem told us the furthest place someone has travelled to the village is New Zealand.
Fenella and Gary visited the set from Bristol. They said their 4 hour journey took 6 hours and they’re on a soap tour. They visited the Coronation Street set in Manchester on Saturday and made their way to Yorkshire for the Emmerdale tour on Sunday. Fenella said: “We watch it all the time, we just love it it’s real life, and the Faith Dingle story - well my mum died and it was so spot on acting it was really good. The 6 hour drive was worth it, it’s been nice and we’re excited to see it.”
Gary: “It’s the characters you fall in love”
Some soap fans were closer to home, though. Anne Webster and her daughter, Anne, are from Sheffield. Anne said she has watched the show from the beginning and went to the set on Sunday to celebrate her birthday. She said: “The characters are my favourite thing about the show, I like Cain, Aaron and Faith - it’s so sad what’s happened to Faith.
"I want Chas and Al to get found out too, I’m so desperate for them to get found out. We love Marlon too, he always makes me cry and he has done the stroke story line perfectly, so well. Faith and Cain have been my favourite storyline so far, they have had me in tears, when he was talking to Faith when she died it got me because he has been such a bad boy from the start and now the mellow human side has come out.
“I hope Chas and Al get found out I can’t wait for them to be found out and Paddy to tell them where to go. I want him to be happy, he has had a lot of bad luck.”
We’ll be by your side for Emmerdale’s major milestone and bringing you any gossip we get throughout the door. We’ll also be emotional support during any shocks and surprises.
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars. There you'll also find our Emmerdale features and news about the show's 50th anniversary plans.
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