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

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.

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.”

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!”