List of major storylines in Emmerdale

Popular ITV soap Emmerdale has featured numerous storylines since it began in 1972. For a full list of major storylines in Emmerdale, see List of storylines in Emmerdale.

Before the plane crash in 1993, Emmerdale had a number of major storylines during the 1970s and 1980s

In 1973, shortly after giving birth to twins, Sam and Sally Skilbeck, Matt Skilbeck's (Frederick Pyne) first wife Peggy Skilbeck (Jo Kendall) died of a brain hemorrhage, leaving Matt to face life as a single parent. Matt found life as a single parent difficult, going what with bringing them up and his work on the farm so Sam and Sally were sent to live with Matt's aunt, Beattie. However tragedy struck in January 1976 when their car stalled at a level crossing and was hit by a train killing Beattie, Sam and Sally instantly. Matt struggled to face up to the fact that he had now lost all his immediate family and he spent the night wandering around the Dales alone before finally coming home. He told Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) he should never have come to the farm as all he's brought is pain and misery to the family, but Annie reassured him that Peggy couldn't have had a better husband, Sam and Sally a better father, or her a better stepson, and she made it clear to him that he was and always would be one of the family.

In late August 1986, Pat Sugden (Helen Weir) was driving her sister Janie back to the railway station after her visit to Emmerdale Farm. Her husband Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) was supposed to have driven Janie back, but Pat wanted to do so, despite the fact it was nearing their son Robert Sugden's (Richard Smith) feeding. After dropping Janie safely at Hotten Station, Pat was in a hurry so she first overtook a milk lorry, by which time she was speeding along Hotten Road. She then turned a corner where some sheep were blocking the road having escaped from their field. Pat swerved her car in order not to hit the sheep, but drove off a hillside, where her car rolled down the hill, killing her instantly. The police broke the news to Jack and his mother, Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier). Jack then broke the news to his children, Jackie (Ian Sharrock) and Sandie Merrick (Jane Hutcheson), who were devastated. Pat's death had an effect on everyone in the Sugden family: Sandie broke down in front of Jack; Jackie was trying to remain strong; and Jack himself fell into a deep depression that took him years to get over. Robert never knew Pat as he was only four months old at the time. Ironically, he would lose his adoptive mother, Sarah Sugden, a decade later in an equally tragic way.

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