Emmerdale actress Katie Hill has opened up about a dramatic double wedding twist that left her character Sarah Sugden's big day in tatters. The star shared exclusive details about secret nuptials and a looming baby secret that threatens to devastate the young couple.
A Wedding Disguised as a Gender Reveal
In upcoming episodes of the ITV soap, Sarah Sugden and Jacob Gallagher plan to tie the knot. However, they face a significant hurdle: their loved ones seem too preoccupied to attend. To ensure their presence, the couple devises a clever, if heartbreaking, ruse. They invite everyone to what they claim is a baby gender reveal party, when in reality, it is their wedding ceremony.
Katie Hill, who plays Sarah, explained the emotional toll. "They are trying to make sure all the important people to them are available," she said. "However, they are having some difficulty with doing this, as no one is prioritising them right now." The actress confirmed that Sarah is particularly hurt when her grandmother, Charity Dingle, declines, citing a work meeting.
A Devastating Secret and a Shocking Marriage
Unbeknownst to Sarah, a far more significant betrayal is unfolding. She and Jacob believe Charity is pregnant with their child following an embryo transfer. The shocking truth is that the procedure failed. Charity subsequently slept with her former flame, Ross Barton, and is now carrying his baby.
Hill revealed Sarah is completely in the dark. "I think she has probably noticed Gran has not been her usual self sometimes," the actress noted. "However, she puts it down to the fact Gran is stressing about wanting everything to be okay with the baby."
The couple's distress is compounded when their secret wedding is spectacularly upstaged. Just moments before they are due to say their vows, Jacob's grandfather, Eric Pollard, unexpectedly marries Kerry Wyatt at the registry office. "It completely ruined their day as their special moment was now taken away," Hill shared, though she added filming the shock scene was "fun."
A Dream Saved by a Surprise Ceremony
All hope is not lost for the heartbroken pair. In a touching turn of events, Charity orchestrates a surprise New Year's Day wedding for Sarah and Jacob at The Woolpack pub.
Katie Hill described Sarah's elation: "She honestly can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true for Sarah. She is finally getting her winter wedding she’s always wanted just as she thought it was never going to happen." The actress painted a picture of the magical scenes, with the pub decorated for the unsuspecting couple.
Looking ahead, Hill teased the explosive potential of the baby secret. "I can’t wait to see what's going to happen next," she said. "It's definitely a unique storyline that I think I can say has never been done before!" While hoping for a happy ending for Sarah, she acknowledged the complexity, stating, "we don’t know how Sarah would feel about the baby if she finds out the truth."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
