Emmerdale fans will remember Holly Barton’s (Sophie Powles) harrowing death from September 2016 scenes.
Now, the character is cropping back up in November 2024, as a special episode focusing on Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) saw Sophie reprise her role.
Albeit for a brief moment!
If you need a refresher on Holly’s backstory, here’s who she was and how she died, and everything you need to know about her return.
Who was Emmerdale’s Holly Barton and how did she die?
Holly Barton was first introduced to Emmerdale in July 2009, as the daughter of Moira and John Barton (James Thornton).
The Bartons moved into Butlers Farm, and it wasn’t long before Holly revealed to her family she’d been experimenting with drug use – after being caught giving Maisie cocaine. Holly soon began stealing from friend Scarlett and overdosed, asking boyfriend Aaron (Danny Miller) to keep it a secret from her parents.
Ultimately, her family tried to get her clean, but were unsuccessful – and things escalated as Holly burgled Butlers Farm and started selling sex in exchange for drugs.
Holly was then locked in her room by John and Moira, and left to experience withdrawal, before agreeing to quit taking drugs and undergoing methadone treatment.
It didn’t last long. After dad John’s death in a car accident, grief-stricken Holly relapsed and was found unconscious by Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), which she swore was a one-off.
Holly departed the village in June 2012 scenes, moving to London with pal Roz. She returned in March 2016, causing chaos upon her arrival by attempting to steal Moira’s husband Cain’s car – hoping to sell it cover £2,000 she owed to her drug dealer.
In May 2016, she attempted to kiss Cain and relapsed on heroin, and events went from bad to worse – as Holly’s drug dealer attacked her friend Victoria, and she crashed a van into a wall while driving high.
Holly eventually got clean once more, and formed a relationship with Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson).
Sadly, Holly died in her bed after returning home from a friend’s wedding, a heroin packet found on the floor beside her. Her body was discovered by a devastated Moira.
When was Holly previously mentioned?
In May 2022, newcomer Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough) revealed she has an unpleasant connection to the tragic villager.
Drug dealer Suzy spotted a picture of heroin addict Holly in bereaved mum Moira’s house – spooking her, as it dawned on her that they’d done drugs together in the past. Suzy was then forced to confess to drug-taking pal Leyla (Roxy Shahidi) that the pair were linked.
Actress Martelle said of the revelation: ‘Suzy met Holly prior to coming into the show at an event as they used to do events planning together.
‘Suzy needed a photographer and Holly was talented, so she took Holly on to do some wedding photography work. On the party scene, drugs were involved and they took occasional drugs together.’
What happens in tonight’s episode as Holly returns?
Spoilers for the episode of Emmerdale that airs tonight – but is available to view on ITVX – follow.
This was the episode where favourite Moira faced surgery to remove her brain tumour. She was petrified at the prospect, knowing there was a chance that she could die during the surgery or be permanently changed.
As she was given the anaesthetic and slipped into unconsciousness, we then saw what was happening in Moira’s mind as she slept. The first thing she saw were Isaac (Bobby Dunsmuir) and Kyle (Huey Quinn) playing at brain surgery at home, their game interspersed with real sounds of the operation that was taking place. They told Moira she’d fallen asleep in her wellies.
Moira walked outside in the sunshine and sat down to watch the boys play. It was an idyllic scene, and became even more magical when she realised she wasn’t alone.
Turning to the side, she realised her daughter Holly was sitting next to her. She could hardly believe it and questioned, ‘Are you here?’ before hugging her daughter tightly.
The writing was beautiful as Moira cried tears of joy and told Holly, ‘You smell so lovely, like flowers.’ Holly looked happy and healthy, and told her mum, ‘I’m better now.’
While this loving reunion was taking place we were also reminded of the ongoing surgery as we could hear the voices of the medical staff. They were saying that the tumour might be a higher grade than they were expecting, and Moira started to lose a lot of blood. Then she had a seizure.
Moira had taken her daughter’s hand. Was Holly leading her gently and lovingly towards her death? As the medical emergency continued it did seem that way.
Then Moira remembered the boys, who were playing across the field. She couldn’t go with Holly and leave them, and her hand fell away from her daughter’s.
