Emmerdale legend Sammy Winward is making a huge comeback to ITV – eight years after quitting the show to become a teacher.
The soap actress, 38, starred as Katie Sugden on the show from 2001 to 2015.
But Sammy has now hinted at a return to TV screens as she is set to star in The Long Shadow, which started airing in September.
The programme follows the story of the manhunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the Yorkshire Ripper.
Sammy plays Peter’s wife, Sonia, and will star alongside Toby Jones, Lee Ingleby and Katherine Kelly.
Big return: Emmerdale legend Sammy Winward is to return to TV screens for a new ITV drama
Star role: Sammy played Katie Sugden on Emmerdale from 2001 to 2015
This time, the documentary focuses on the families and victims of the killer.
The Bolton-born actress is one of a whole host of soap stars returning to screens to star in the TV drama.
She is joined by Emmerdale’s Michael Parr, Charley Webb, Rob James-Collier, as well as EastEnders icon Jill Halfpenny.
Speaking of her character’s exit from Emmerdale at the time, Sammy said: ‘It’s probably best that she was killed off.
‘Now I won’t be looking over my shoulder all the time thinking: “What if I went back?” It’s clean cut.’
After she left the show, Sammy went on to become an acting teacher.
Sammy played stable manager Katie in Emmerdale since July 2001 – when she joined the soap aged 15 years old.
She was introduced to viewers as Andy Sugden’s first girlfriend and was at the centre of plots that saw her get married, have numerous affairs, suffer a miscarriage, and shatter her pelvis after a fall.
Twinning: Sammy is pictured with lookalike daughter Mia at the Van Gogh Alive exhibition in 2021
Shock depature: Sammy left Emmerdale in 2015 and pursued a career in acting
Katie died after falling through rotten floorboards after being pushed to the ground by her ex-lover Robert Sugden.
For her role as Katie, Sammy was nominated for the Popular Newcomer award at the National Television Awards.
Sammy is married to her childhood sweetheart Martyn Hardy and the pair met in school. He works as a HR manager.
She was previously engaged to footballer David Dunn before they split in 2005. They share a daughter, Mia.
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