Emmerdale star Emma Atkins teases 50th anniversary plot

Emmerdale’s Emma Atkins has teased the soap's "big" upcoming storyline ahead of the show's 50th anniversary.

The 46-year-old actress, who has played Charity Dingle in the ITV programme since joining the show in 2000, insisted there will be "something bigger and better" than a live episode.

During a chat with ‘Good Morning Britain’ co-hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid, Richard, 65, said: "The last time the programme had a big anniversary and you were a part of it, you did an episode live, which was really brave. Do you think you will be doing it again?"

Emma replied: "It was utterly terrifying, Richard, I won't lie. I don't think we're doing [a] live, but we're going to do something bigger and better. What that will be I can't actually say because it's a big secret. But it's going to be big."

The star admitted it doesn't feel as though she's been on the show for more than 20 years.

She added: "We're there to offer escapism and relief in strange times."

It comes after producer Jane Hudson recently teased the 50th anniversary.

She said: "We need to make this the biggest year we've ever had. We've already got some great stuff planned – maybe a wedding in the summer.

"There are some really big things that will test couples' strength and them as parents, so there is a lot in store. We might see some old faces returning, we're not sure yet.

"I think there is a lot coming up – the focus is really to celebrate Emmerdale turning 50. Our focus at the moment is to really build those stories so when we get to our golden month of celebration, we've got secrets that the viewers are desperate to be revealed."