Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap

Emmerdale: Moment Moira discovers that Holly has died

One Emmerdale star has posted a heart-wrenching update after filming her last ever episode of the ITV soap.

Sophie Powles returned to the Dales for a special one-off episode, eight years after her character Holly Barton was killed off in a devastating drug overdose storyline.

She was a figment of her mum Moira’s imagination while undergoing brain surgery to remove a tumour – and at the same time, Moira’s husband Cain was engaging in a torrid affair with his sister-in-law Ruby.

Emotional scenes saw mum and daughter reunite, and it seems things were just as emotional off-screen as Sophie reunited with Natalie J. Robb, who plays Moira.

Taking to her Instagram account to post a sweet series of snaps cuddling up to her former co-stars, she penned a heartfelt message to fans.

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Emmerdale said farewell to one character for the final time (Image: ITV)

She said: “Thank you for all the lovely messages and the amazing response to last week’s episode of @emmerdale a show that will always hold a really special place in my heart.

“Forever grateful to have worked with the best cast and crew and had so many incredible opportunities. The best thing though is the friends I met that are genuinely my family. Heart is full.”

Natalie, meanwhile, added: “What a very special day filming these scenes with my on-screen daughter Holly. It was like she had never left – wish it had been for longer! Love you Sophie.”

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Sophie replied: “I adore you. Forever grateful to you Nate. Learnt from the best on that show.”

Fans couldn’t get enough of Holly’s return, with one speculating: “September - Emma appeared. October – Ross returned. November – Holly appeared. And on Christmas Day Pete Barton is returning!”

Someone else tweeted: “Wasn’t that camera shot great when it pulled away from Moira sitting on the haystack and Holly was beside her?” And another said: “Emmerdale is that bonkers they could bring back Holly Barton permanently!”

Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap

Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap

Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap

Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap

Emmerdale star's emotional update after filming last ever episode of ITV soap