12 biggest and best storylines in Emmerdale this year – Belle’s abuse, Ross’ return, Zak’s sad goodbye

It’s been another action-packed year in Emmerdale, with several standout moments and performances from the brilliant cast, but what were the best storylines of 2024?

Major storylines have included Belle Dingle’s domestic abuse, Moira’s brain tumour diagnosis, Kim Tate’s return to the top and the arrival of a brand new Sugden – John. We said a sad goodbye to Emmerdale legend Zak Dingle, and hello again to village bad boy Ross Barton. 2024 has also seen the arrival of Caleb’s feisty missus, Ruby, who’s now a firm favourite amongst the fans.

So as we get ready to see what 2025 has in store, let’s round up our top picks from the past 12 months…

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: Belle’s hell at the hands of Tom

The standout storyline of 2024 has to be Belle’s abuse at the hands evil Tom King. It’s been a difficult journey to follow, but Emmerdale have worked hard to tackle a subject that sadly occurs all too often in real life.

Tom’s true nature was revealed this year as he subjected Belle to a wicked campaign of physical and mental torture, which pushed her to the very brink.

In September, the soap aired a special episode where a broken Belle was haunted by her imagined futures. These disturbing nightmares gave Belle the courage she needed to report her ex to the police. But it was another two months before Tom was finally arrested and charged with abuse.

At last, justice has been served, Tom is behind bars and Belle has been reunited with her beloved Piper. Finally she can start to slowly rebuild the life that Tom shattered.

We want to take this moment to applaud actors Eden Taylor-Draper and James Chase, whose performances this past year have been nothing short of spectacular.

Charity stabbing Mack

Charity began the year in a very dark place. She was suffering from PTSD and wracked with guilt over accidentally killing gangster Damon ‘Harry’ Harris while trying to protect her husband Mackenzie.

Haunted by visions of the man whose life she had taken and gripped by insomnia and night terrors, Charity’s mental health began to spiral out of control. She was also triggered by any loud noises, as it reminded her of the sound of the gunshot that fateful day.

Events reached a terrifying climax on February 22 when Mack walked in to find his wife having a night terror. Believing he was Harry, Charity grabbed a knife to protect herself and plunged it into Mack’s stomach.

Mack would have used up the last of nine lives if it wasn’t for Moira popping by and finding him lying on the floor. He was rushed to hospital and made a full recovery, while Charity found herself under arrest. She was later let off and attended therapy to get herself better.

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: Chas’s cancer battle

Chas Dingle has faced some tough battles in her time, but non more so than her one against cancer.

The Woolpack manager’s world was turned upside down after her lover Liam alerted her to a lump in a breast. Just days later, Chas’s worst fears were confirmed when doctors revealed she had triple negative breast cancer – the same type her late mum Faith had died of.

The discovery was a big turning point for Chas, who had previously been disowned by the Dingles after her affair with Al Chapman. After learning their family member was in crisis, they all rallied round and supported Chas.

Another crushing blow came when further tests revealed Chas was carrying the faulty BRCA2 gene. She urged the rest of her family to get checked out, and Aaron discovered he also carried BRCA2. Chas was on hand to support her son, while she made the brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy.

The treatment worked and Chas is now in remission. But while it’s still in debate whether Chas has done enough to be redeemed, we hope 2025 is a happier, and healthier, one for her.

Ella’s killer secret

One of the darkest twists of 2024 was the revelation that Ella Forster was a child killer.

Ella was introduced in January when she landed a job at Brook Cottage Surgery and embarked on a romance with Dr Liam Cavanagh. As a newcomer to the Dales, not much was known about the character’s backstory. But it became clear Ella was hiding a secret she didn’t want anyone to find out.

As speculation mounted, nothing could prepare Liam for the discovery that his girlfriend was actually a murderer.

It turned out Ella had taken the life of her childhood best friend Joanne in a jealous rage. The crime had occurred on the day of Ella’s (who was known as Ruth back then) 11th birthday. Ella was imprisoned for years and had assumed a new identity after being released. The disturbing revelation caused Ella’s relationship with Liam to collapse and made her the village outcast.

Ella later found out she was expecting Liam’s baby, but tragedy struck when she suffered a miscarriage. With Liam now loved up with Chas, it’s rumoured Ella will be departing next spring. But how will she bow out?

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: The arrival of John Sugden

The announcement of a new Sugden coming to Emmerdale caused great excitement. Finally it was a chance to put the soap’s famous family back on the map, and actually give Victoria a decent storyline.

Vic first discovered she and John were related on the day of his mum’s funeral, when Eric Pollard let the cat of the bag. She was buzzing to meet her late dad’s long-lost son, but John couldn’t have really cared less. He also had zero interest in getting to know the rest of Emmerdale’s residents and made an enemy of Mackenzie Boyd.

However, there was one person who John did connect with, and that was Aaron Dingle. The pair embarked on a steamy affair which was made more interesting by the fact John is the half-brother of Aaron’s ex Robert. John and Aaron have just confessed their love for one another. But it all feels a little too safe for our liking. We’d love it for Robert to come home and compete with his sibling for Aaron’s affections.

And while we’re at it we’re hoping to learn more about John’s backstory. That Aidan Moore mystery was a right anti-climax, although we’re not convinced John was telling the truth. Will we ever find out what he’s hiding?

Mandy’s adventures as Madame Diamante Dales

Mandy can always be relied on for bringing the laughs and we loved her short-lived career as Madame Diamante Dales!

The beautician found herself in a financial pickle after racking up thousands in credit card debt. Having promised fiancée Paddy a lavish honeymoon to Venice, Mand had to a find a way to fund it. So when barmaid Gail Loman mentioned the lucrative benefits of being a financial dominatrix she decided to give it a whirl.

Disguised (although not very convincingly) in a blue masquerade mask, Mandy transformed herself into Madame Diamante Dales and started exchanging smutty chat with online admirers in exchange for dosh.

Everything was going great until Bear overheard Miss DD on the phone to one of her clients and spilled the beans to Paddy. Mandy’s saucy side hustle almost cost her her man, but Paddy forgave all the lies and still married her.

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: Kim’s revenge on cheating Will

2024 marked the return of Queen Kim, who has shown once again she’s not a woman to be trifled with.

We feared Kim had gone soft on us after she fell victim to Will’s manipulative ex-wife Rose. The scheming madame went as far as forcing Kim out of her beloved Home Farm, and she just let it happen. Even when it transpired Rose had been working with Ruby to destroy her, all Kim did was tell her to do one. But when Kim discovered Will and Rose had slept together it was payback time!

The lady of the manor posed as a mystery blackmailer and threatened to expose Will unless he paid up. As Will dug himself into a deeper financial hole – Kim was doing some digging of her own. She faked a kidnap, then lured Will to the woods, where he discovered a creepy mannequin with Kim’s face on it.

Next Kim forced Will to dig up a coffin she’d buried, before she pushed him in the grave and unveiled herself as his tormentor! It was about as classic Kim as you could get.

She’s since taken Will back, but he’s now secretly planning to get his own back. Hasn’t he forgotten who he’s dealing with?!

Moira’s brain tumour

What’s wrong with Moira? That was the question on every viewer’s lips as they watched the normally friendly farmer undergo a sudden personality transplant.

Moira’s volatile behaviour, aggressive outbursts and memory lapses were a cause of concern to her loved ones. Cain feared his wife had succumbed to her previous alcohol addiction, but was unaware she had started to experience seizures.

Events came to a head when Moira started experiencing visions of her late nemesis Emma Barton. She threatened Ruby with a shotgun, and caused a near-fatal explosion at Butlers Farm. After seeing Moira suffer a seizure in front of his eyes, Cain forced her to get medical help.

Subsequent tests discovered a mass on Moira’s brain, and she was told she had a meningioma – a type of non cancerous tumour. In November, Emmerdale aired a special episode which followed Moira’s journey as she underwent surgery to have her tumour removed. In a surprising, emotional twist, Moira was reunited with her late daughter Holly during a dream sequence.

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: Zak’s death

We all knew this sad day was coming after the announcement of actor Steve Halliwell’s death in December 2023. And credit to the writers, they gave Zak a memorable and poignant farewell that was befitting of his legendary status.

As per his final wishes, Zak had requested to be buried in Dingle land within 48 hours of his passing. Cain and Sam journeyed to Scotland to bring their dad’s body home and took Zak’s coffin to the Woolie for one last pint with the locals. Afterwards, Zak was drummed up the road to his final resting place, as his family gathered around the graveside.

Many of the Dingles were present for Zak’s send-off, although there were a few notable absences. Yes, Debbie Dingle, we’re talking about you.

Tina’s rowdy arrival certainly brought the drama, but we were all about the quieter, more tender moments. Like new head of the clan Cain getting too choked up to deliver his speech. And Belle requesting Zak be buried with Lisa’s ashes, so her parents would be together forever. Aww.

They’ll never be another Zak Dingle, but we were lucky to have him.

The return of Ross Barton

The Barton bad boy has been top of our dream comeback list for a while, so you can imagine our delight when we learnt it was actually happening. During his first stint in the Dales, Ross was often in the thick of the action, and this time looks set to be no different.

Ross was unveiled as Billy Fletcher’s surprise opponent, in the underground boxing match organised by ruthless promotor Jade. Since then he’s found himself caught up in other dangerous situations.

Ross made a deal with Kim Tate that nearly resulted in him killing Will, he let a gun off in son Moses’s presence, and put April’s safety at risk by trying to double-cross Jade. He’s also made an enemy of Mackenzie – perhaps he and John should compare notes.

And then there’s the women. Ross never goes hungry for long – he’s already locked lips with Charity and enjoyed a romp with newcomer Steph. Who’s next?!

Emmerdale 2024 best storylines: Cain and Ruby’s betrayal

Cain’s done a lot of terrible things in his time, but cheating with your brother’s wife while your own missus is undergoing life-saving brain surgery must be a new low.

The pair’s forbidden tryst was one of those shocking OMG moments that no one saw coming and it’s left fans absolutely fuming. Yes, Cain was struggling with his fear of losing Moira. But why on earth did he think having sex with Ruby was going to make the situation any easier?

Unable to cope with his guilt, Cain is now spiralling out of control. But what will happen if his conscience gets the better of him and he decides to ‘fess up to Moira? We’re not sure their marriage could survive another betrayal, especially one on this scale. And god only knows what Caleb would do if he found out.

This ticking time bomb could cause some serious damage.

The rise of Ruby

Emmerdale has suddenly turned into the Ruby Fox-Miligan show, and we’re not mad about it.

The ballsy blonde has been in the soap less than 12 months and has already established herself as one of its leading ladies. She’s also shown she’s not someone to reckon with. So far Ruby has publicly outed Caleb’s affair with Tracy (which she later forgave him for) and orchestrated a plot to destroy Kim Tate. But as well as bringing the drama, Ruby has been busy building herself a life in Emmerdale. She’s made friends and even won over the Dingles.

We’re now learning more about Ruby’s backstory. Her wealthy mother Helen made a brief appearance as viewers watched Caleb blackmail the dying woman to sign over her fortune to her. And now Ruby’s daughter Steph and estranged dad Anthony are on the scene. Ruby has been desperate to reconnect with Steph, but it has been revealed Anthony abused Ruby as a child and could be Steph’s real father.

Recent shock revelations point to 2025 being another huge year for Ruby. Bring it on!

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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