[Scarlett.]

Yup, thats right, Diane has been mentioning her for years, and now she's finally coming back

Emmerdale favourite Bernice Blackstock is *making a dramatic comeback after more than eight years away from the village.

Samantha Giles, who plays the former vicar’s wife, will be back filming the hit ITV1 soap next month.


Her sensational return will come after the soap’s 40th anniversary next month, which will include an hour-long live episode and the shock death of one popular villager.


Show chiefs are keeping tight-lipped about the identity of the character but the death will have *repercussions for months to come.


And, as everyone is *getting to grips with what has happened, Bernice will return and really “stir things up.”


Excited Samantha, 41, said: “It’s so *lovely to be asked back to Emmerdale.


“The show is on top form and I’m really looking forward to being part of the team again.”


Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sunday about the move, series producer Stuart Blackburn said: “Bernice *Blackstock has always been one of *Emmerdale’s most popular characters. Linked to Nicola, Ashley, Diane, Rodney and her daughter Gabby, she remains right at the heart of the show.


“With the recent separation of Ashley and Laurel and problems ahead for Diane, the time is right for Bernice to come back and really stir things up”.


Bernice arrived in Emmerdale back in 1998 and fell in love with the village’s then vicar Ashley Thomas.


They tied the knot but randy Bernice was caught having an affair with chef Carlos Diaz, inset, who was engaged to her half-sister.


She departed in 2002 following the birth of daughter Gabby, *leaving Ashley to raise the child alone. Bernice made a brief return in 2004 for the funeral of Tricia Dingle when it was revealed she had another daughter.


The show celebrates 40 years on *October 16 with a packed week including Chas Dingle getting set to wed Dan *Spencer.


Declan Macey will take Katie Sugden down the aisle and Gennie Walker and Debbie Dingle will give birth.

[flamingGalah!]

Is she back for good or just a couple of weeks? I always liked Bernice & as they say she still has lots of strong links to the village

[Scarlett.]

I hope she does stay, like you say she has a lot of strong links to the village still

[waterhog]

new ish to emmerdale - never heard of her - looking forward to it though.

[Omah]

M I L F .....

[Gillian-73]

I loved her i'm really glad to hear she's coming back. I hope it's a long spell.

[cheeky_monkey]

Cant wait until she comes back and hope theres more drama when she returns lol

[Scarlett.]

I hope she takes Gabby off Laurel and Marlon

[cheeky_monkey]

I hope Bernice looks after Gabby and they have a mother and daughter bond!

I wonder if Ashley and Bernice get back together?