Emmerdale honoured one of their own with a touching tribute at the close of Thursday's broadcast, which is available on ITV X.
As credits concluded for the most recent episode, an emotional statement graced the screen from the ITV soap as they commemorated a 'friend and colleague'.
The heartfelt dedication read: "Dedicated to our friend and colleague Stephanie Ives-Stevens 1979 to 2023."
Belfast Live has contacted ITV for further comment on the emotional tribute.
It comes as Thursday's hour-long episode saw a series of storylines play out with Ella Forster being taken into custody while Cathy Hope consented to join Brenda Walker on a three-month ocean voyage, reports Leeds Live.
Long-time fans of the show will recall that Brenda recently discovered she had won tickets for a luxurious all-inclusive three-month cruise.
Initially, after her split from Eric Pollard last year, Brenda was reluctant to take on the journey alone.
Yet, by the end of Thursday’s show, Brenda made the choice to go, and Cathy too was convinced to partake in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Amidst her reluctance to leave her father Bob Hope in the wake of her twin brother and his son Heath Hope's death, it took Nicola King's persuasion for Cathy to consider the trip. Nicola coveted the cruise but placed Bob's daughter's happiness first.
Cathy expressed her concerns saying: "I feel dead guilty about it, me off enjoying myself while he's here feeling lonely."
To which Nicola provided comfort, assuring: "He'll be fine, I promise you. He'll have me and Jimmy, and all his other friends, and April too, she's family!
"He wants you to go and enjoy yourself, and if you did cancel it because of him how guilty would that make him feel.
"You've been through a lot these last couple of years, losing Heath and struggling with your PMDD, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and no one deserves it more than you."
Cathy then had a heart-to-heart with her father, Bob, who quipped: "Three months of peace and quiet? I can hardly wait! Of course I'm going to miss you but that doesn't mean I don't want you to go!"
He continued: "Your happiness is the most important thing, right? So get out there and enjoy yourself!"
It was reported earlier this year that Brenda star Lesley Dunlop, Cathy star Gabrielle Dowling and Ella star Paula Lane would be leaving the ITV soap.
In Thursday's episode, the stage seems set for their departure as Ella was arrested while Brenda and Cathy prepare for a three-month cruise, hinting at the characters' exit storylines.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
English (United States) ·