List of recurring and minor Emmerdale characters

Ever since the first episode, there have been thousands of characters who have appeared on the show in a minor, guest or recurring role. They still have a role on the show today, whether it be a member of the emergency services, a friend of a regular character or someone who only passes by the village briefly.
==The first==
See also: 1972 minor characters
The first ever minor character was Alec Saunders (played by Alan Tucker), who appeared in Episode 1 and was never seen again. The first recurring character was the role of Barney, a postman who was regularly seen drinking in The Woolpack. Played by George Malpas, Barney appeared intermittently between 1972 and 1978. The first unnamed character and first medical professional was a Nurse in 1972. The first police officer shown was PC Dave Ball, who appeared from Episode 9 for the next two months.
==Most guest roles==
Two actors have portrayed the most amount of minor characters in Emmerdale, with a total of nine and eight characters. These actors are:
*Christine Brennan
**Miss Dooley in March 1999.
**An unnamed doctor in May 2002.
**Dr. Dolan between September 2003 and January 2004.
**Sandra Flaherty in February 2006.
**Marcia Parker in June 2008.
**Miss Blomley in May 2012.
**A mum in November 2013.
**Sally in August 2018.
**An unnamed doctor in February 2020.
*Maeve Larkin
**Sian Harper between March and April 2005.
**An unnamed physiotherapist in September 2008.
**Dr. Eve Solomon in April 2010.
**Solicitor Gemma Carter in October 2012.
**An insurance rep in October 2014.
**Dr Parsons in December 2015.
**An unnamed doctor in February 2016.
**Suzie in October 2018.
==Police==
Police play a pivotal role in the show, as many of the characters find themselves in trouble, or in harm's way. And so it is up to the police to come to the village and sort things out. A great number of officers, detectives, sergeants and inspectors have returned to Emmerdale time and time again, with some villagers even getting to know their names, and vice versa. Other characters, such as Abi Peterson and Nancy Ryan are not just used for their job but are active players in storylines.
PC Mike Swirling, who has appeared sporadically since 2004, is one of the longest-running minor characters and also has the most appearances for any minor character, with over 240 episodes between 2004 and 2024.
Some of the officers who have appeared multiple times include:
*PC Fred Hallam (1973-1974)
*PC Ted Edwards (1977-1980)
*Sergeant Ian MacArthur (1980-1993)
*Sergeant Sharples (1995-1999)
*DCI Harvey (2000-2001)
*PC Linda Johnson (2003-2005)
*DI Tom Keysell (2003-2005)
*PC Denzel Calburn (2003-2005)
*PC Mike Swirling (2004-2024)
*DS Karen Williams (2006-2009)	
*Supt. Charles Vaughan (2006-2009)
*PC James Pierce (2010-2022)
*DS Andrew Flanagan (2013-2018)
*PC Williams (2013-2019)
*PC Gary Stone (2014-2018)
*DI Mark Bails (2014-2018)
*PC Craig Bishop (2014-2020)
*DS Hart (2015-2018)
*DS Jason Wise (2016-2023)
*Armed Police Officer (2018-2023)
===Prolific characters===
#	Name 	Role 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1	Mike Swirling 	Police constable 	2004-2024	240
2	Ian MacArthur 	Police sergeant 	1980-1993	163
3	Charles Vaughan	Police superintendent	2006-2009	50
4	Denzel Calburn 	Police constable 	2003-2005	47
5	Tom Keysell 	Detective inspector 	2003-2005	46
6	Vikesh Dasari 	Detective inspector 	2006-2007	39
7	James Pierce 	Police constable 	2010-2023	34
7	Benton 	Detective sergeant 	2017-2018	34
7	Jason Wise 	Detective sergeant 	2016-2023	34
7	Andrew Flanagan	Detective sergeant 	2013-2018	34
7	Karen Williams 	Detective sergeant 	2006-2009	34
7	Derek Spalding 	Detective inspector 	1998-1999	34
==Prisons and the judicial system==
Because of the nature of Emmerdale and the wider world of soap operas, trials and crimes are strife, especially for the innocent. We have seen prison and court scenes increasingly over the years. Many judges, barristers and cellmates have appeared in the show numerous times.
===Prolific characters===
#	Name 	Role 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1	Rachel Whatmore	Solicitor 	2003-2005	33
2	Abi Peterson 	Prison guard 	2010 	21
3	Ellie 	Belle Dingle's ex-cellmate	2016 	16
3	Harry Thompson 	Jack Sugden's cellmate 	2000-2001	16
5	Charlie Sellers	Andy Sugden's cellmate 	2008 	15
5	Charlie Willis 	Solicitor 	2003-2004	15
7	Jason 	Aaron Dingle's cellmate 	2017 	14
7	Nancy Ryan 	Prison guard 	2004 	14
9	Unnamed judge 	Judge 	1999-2019	12
9	Neil DePaul 	Solicitor 	2005 	12
== Medical professionals ==
Doctors, nurses, paramedics and GPs are all typical character types that return to care for regular characters. Dr Cavanagh was a minor character that was promoted to a regular in 2018. Doctor Jermaine Bailey was another character who appeared for a few months before also being promoted to a regular character for the whole of 2016 before he left. Another GP, Manpreet Jutla, first appeared in 2018 and by the start of the next year she was a regular.
*Dr. Jacobs (1977-1981)
*Dr. Sharma (1985-1986)
*Jim Penn (1994-2004)
*Nurse Ryan (1999-2006)
*Midwife Malby (2001-2004)
*Dr. Pam Bradshaw (2001-2006)
*Dr. Dolan (2002-2004)
*Dr. Carol Cohran (2003-2004)
*George Sutton (2004-2006)	
*Dr. Josephine Abbott (2006-2013)
*Paramedic (2011-2018)
*Paramedic (2012-2023)
*Jess (2013-2015)
*Gerald Tompkinson (2014-2015)
*Dr. Naya Hartley (2015-2022)
*Dr. Elliot (2017-2019)
*Dr. Alex Mason (2017-2018)
*Nurse Gail Hancock (2022)
===Prolific medical characters===
# 	Name 	Role 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1 	Josephine Abbott 	General practitioner	2006-2013	29
2 	Alex Mason 	Emergency doctor 	2017-2018	26
3 	Clare Scott 	General practitioner	1973 	22
4 	Joe Chappell 	Carer 	2011 	20
5 	Unnamed paramedic	Paramedic 	2012-2023	19
6 	Gail Hancock 	Nurse 	2022 	14
6 	Darren Thompson 	Nurse 	2015 	14
6 	Trevor Cunningham	Mental health nurse 	2012 	14
9 	Summers 	Nurse 	2010-2011	12
10	Jenny 	Paediatric nurse 	2024 	10
10	Peter English 	Paramedic 	2003-2006	10
10	Jacobs 	General practitioner	1977-1981	10
==Fire services==
Firefighters are also vital in the 'minor character' category and show up whenever there's a fire. They are less used than the police or medical characters and so there is less chance of returning characters. Recurring and minor characters who happen to be firefighters include Jez Hudson, Fire Officer O'Donnell (played by Phil Croft) and Ted Barker.
==Romantic interests==
Some minor characters arrive in the form of a romantic partner of an already established character. Sometimes these can transform into fully-fledged regular characters too, but others act as just a plot device. Good examples of these characters introduced as love interests include:
*Misty Allbright
*Ally
* Flynn Buchanan
*Danny Harrington (2019-2020)
*Faye Helders (2023)
*Alex Mason (2017-2018)
*Karen Moore
*Craig Reed
*Ed Roberts
*Kasim Sabet (2016-2017)
*Darren Thompson
*Lynn Wallace
===Prolific romantic interests===
# 	Name 	Relation 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1 	Libby Charles 	Andy Sugden's girlfriend 	2005 	67
2 	Charlie Haynes 	Diane Sugden's boyfriend 	2010 	60
3 	Nell Fairfax 	Jai Sharma's girlfriend 	2017 	45
4 	Joe Fisher 	Jason Kirk's boyfriend 	2000-2001	43
5 	Nellie Ratcliffe 	Sam Pearson's girlfriend 	1978-1981	42
6 	Nicky Pritchard 	Gennie Walker's boyfriend	2011 	40
7 	Effie Harrison 	Zoe Tate's girlfriend 	2005 	37
8 	Kasim Sabet 	Finn Barton's boyfriend 	2016-2017	35
8 	Debbie Buttershaw	Mark Hughes' girlfriend 	1993 	35
10	Melanie Clifford 	Mark Hughes' girlfriend 	1993 	32
==Family==
See also: Families
Some recurring characters happen to be related to regular characters, which is a good excuse for sporadic visits.
*Liz MacDonald (1977-1990)
*Jessie Renfrew (1978-1983)
*Meg Armstrong (1979-1986)
*Ezra Brearly (1983-1988)
*Malcolm Bates (1984-1991)
*Graham Lodsworth (1986-1987)
* Leonard Kempinski (1992-1994)
*Barry Clegg (1997-1998)
*Barbara Kirk (1998-2002)
*John Wylie (1999-2000)
*Josh Hope (2001-2006)
*Caroline Kershaw (2002-2006)
*Eddie Hope (2003-2007)
*Gordon Livesy (2003-2016)	
*Lilith Dingle (2004-2007)
*Mark Dingle (2004-2007)
*Matthew Dingle (2004-2007)
*Colleen King (2004-2010)
*Anya King (2004-2012)
*Thomas King (2004-2013)
*Sandra Flaherty (2006-2022)
*Sharon Lambert (2007-2008)
*Caroline Swann (2007-2015)
*Justin Gallagher (2010-2012)
*Juliette Holliday (2014-2021)
*Alex Moore (2021-2022)
*Esme (2021-2022)
*Gus Malcolms (2023-2024)
===Prolific family members===
# 	Name 	Relative 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1 	Eddie Hope 	Bob Hope's brother 	2003-2007	72
2 	Anya King 	Carl King's daughter 	2004-2012	66
3 	Gus Malcolms 	Rhona Goskirk's ex-husband 	2023-2024	53
4 	Gordon Livesy 	Chas Dingle's ex-husband 	2003-2016	49
5 	Amit Sharma 	Jai Sharma's biological father	2023-2024	46
5 	Sandra Flaherty	Liv Dingle's mother 	2006-2022	46
7 	Luke Dingle 	Del Dingle's nephew 	2004-2007	45
8 	Mark Dingle 	Del Dingle's nephew 	2004-2007	44
9 	Matthew Dingle 	Del Dingle's nephew 	2004-2007	43
10	Jerry Walsh 	Jackson Walsh's father 	2010-2011	39
10	Liz MacDonald 	Jock MacDonald's wife 	1977-1990	39
==Teachers==
# 	Name 	Role 	Duration 	Number of appearances
1 	James Bonfils 	Headmaster 	1974-1975	32
2 	Tess Harris 	Teaching assistant at Connelton Primary School	2015-2016	28
3 	Miss Strickland	Headteacher at Hotten Comprehensive School 	1998-2001	19
4 	Bridget Burgess	Teacher 	2006-2007	10
5 	Barbara 	Teacher 	1988 	9
6 	Jude Clayton 	English Teacher at Leeds University 	1993 	8
7 	Daphne 	Chair of Connelton Primary School's PTA 	2017-2018	7
7 	Anne Cullen 	Teacher at Hotten County Primary School 	1997 	7
9 	Antony Moeketsi	Teacher 	1978 	6
10	Paul Duggan 	Headteacher at Hotten Comprehensive School 	2012-2013	4
==Pets==
Name 	First appeared	Last appeared/mentioned as alive	Animal 	Owner(s) 	Tenure
Alfie 	2002 	2017 	Dog 	The Dingles 	15 years
Tootsie 	2002 	2015 	Dog 	Edna Birch & Harriet Finch 	13 years
Charlie 	1994 	2007 	Dog 	Betty Eagleton 	13 years
Cheryl 	2012 	Jan 2024 	Dog 	Val & Eric Pollard 	12 years
Delores 	c.2010 	2022 	Pig 	The Dingles 	12 years
Daisy 	2003 	2015 	Dog 	Marlon Dingle 	12 years
Hamish 	2004 	2015 	Pony 	Belle Dingle 	11 years
Gloria 	 	2019 	Pig 	Dingle family 	c.10? years
Steve (stuffed) 	2016 	2023 	Parrot 	Lydia Hart 	7 years
Monty 	2018 	Nov 2024 	Dog 	The Dingles 	6 years
Tally 	2019 	Sep 2024 	Horse 	Kim Tate 	5 years
Freya 	2019 	Jul 2024 	Horse 	Kim Tate 	5 years
Dog 	2014 	2018 	Dog 	The Whites 	4 years
Tip 	2017 	2020 	Dog 	Jai Sharma 	3 years
Ice 	Nov 2023 	Jan 2025 	Horse 	Kim Tate 	2 years
Chip 	2022 	Jul 2024 	Dog 	Vinny Dingle 	2 years
Spamela Hamderson	2019 	2021 	Pig 	The Dingles 	2 years
Blaze 	2019 	2021 	Pony 	Kim Tate 	2 years
Batley 	2000 	2002 	Dog 	Edna Birch 	2 years
Valentine 	1994 	1996 	Horse 	Kim Tate 	2 years
Bess 	1973 	1975 	Dog 	Sam Pearson & Annie Sugden 	2 years
Medicinal Brandy 	2021 	2022 	Racehorse	Kim Tate 	1 year
Princess 	2021 	2022 	Dog 	Andrea & Millie Tate; Wendy Posner; Meena Jutla; Hazel and Millie Tate.	1 year
Daenerys 	2020 	2021 	Rabbit 	Belle Dingle 	1 year
Clyde 	2009 	2010 	Dog 	Aaron Livesy 	1 year
Damon 	2004 	2005 	Dog 	Sadie King 	1 year
Dark Star 	1992 	1993 	Horse 	Kim Tate 	1 year
Snip 	1980 	1981 	Dog 	Matt Skilbeck 	1 year
Piper 	2024 	Aug 2024 	Dog 	Belle King 	5 months
Minty 	2024 	July 2024 	Lamb 	Isaac Dingle 	4 months
Bundle 	1984 	1984 	Dog 	Caroline Bates 	4 months
Cossack 	2006 	2006 	Horse 	Sadie King 	1 month
Priscilla 	1998 	1998 	Pig 	Farmer Matthews 	1 month
Swifty 	1994 	1994 	Dog 	The Windsors 	1 month
Sampson 	1993 	1993 	Horse 	Seth Armstrong 	1 month
Boomerang 	1992 	1992 	Pigeon 	Archie Brooks 	1 month
Champion 	1990 	1990 	Horse 	Alan Turner 	1 month
==Others==
Name 	Duration 	Role
Barney 	1972-1978	Postman
Jim Latimer 	1973-1991	Criminal
Walter 	1974-1985	Woolpack customer
Hunter Bell 	1974-1987	Villager
Ernie Shuttleworth 	1975-1999	Pub landlord
Auctioneer 	1978-1985	Auctioneer
Doreen Shuttleworth 	1984-1991	Pub landlady
Auctioneer 	1995-2018	Auctioneer
Coroner 	1997-2003	Coroner
Judge 	1999-2019	Judge
George Postlethwaite	2000-2010	Bishop
John McNally 	2004-2009	Journalist
Dean Morris 	2004-2009	Foreman
Aubrey Bedford 	2004-2015	Estate agent
Reporter 	2006-2019	Television news reporter
Isaac Nuttall 	2010-2019	Ex-boyfriend
==Longest runnning minor characters==
See also: List of longest running characters
# 	Name 	 	First Appearance 	Most recent appearance	Time between first and last appearance
1 	Ernie Shuttleworth	Peter Schofield •	11th March 1975 	26th August 1999 	24 years, 5 months
2 	Auctioneer 	Robin Bowerman 	18th May 1995 	10th October 2018 	23 years, 5 months
3 	Judge 	Anthony Schaeffer	20th January 1999 	24th October 2019 	20 years, 9 months
4 	PC Mike Swirling 	Andy Moore 	2nd April 2004 	26th December 2024 	20 years, 8 months
5 	Jim Latimer 	Dennis Blanch • 	22nd January 1973 	10th December 1991 	18 years, 11 months
6 	Sandra Flaherty 	Joanne Mitchell •	3rd February 2006 	30th September 2022 	16 years, 7 months
7 	PC James Pierce 	Joe Simpson 	1st December 2010 	7th December 2023 	13 years
7 	Sgt. Ian MacArthur	Martin Dale 	9th December 1980 	16th December 1993 	13 years
7 	Walter 	Al Dixon • 	11th December 1972	19th December 1985 	13 years
10	Hunter Bell 	Frederick Bennett	2nd December 1974 	27th August 1987 	12 years, 8 months
==List of prolific minor characters==
See also: List of appearances
# 	Character 	Number of appearances	First appearance	Last appearance
1 	PC Mike Swirling 	240 	2004 	2024
2 	Sergeant Ian MacArthur 	163 	1980 	1993
3 	Bishop George Postlethwaite	93 	2000 	2010
4 	Eddie Hope 	74 	2003 	2007
5 	John McNally 	71 	2004 	2009
6 	Libby Charles 	67 	2005 	2005
6 	Walter 	67 	1972 	1985
8 	Anya King 	66 	2004 	2012
9 	Charlie Haynes 	60 	2010 	2010
10	Amit Sharma 	55 	2023 	2024
11	Charles Vaughan 	54 	2006 	2009
11	John Tuplin 	54 	1981 	1984
13	Gus Malcolms 	53 	2023 	2024
13	Gordon Livesy 	53 	2003 	2016
15	Sandra Flaherty 	52 	2006 	2022
16	PC Denzel Calburn 	47 	2003 	2005
16	DI Tom Keysell 	47 	2003 	2005
18	Luke Dingle 	45 	2004 	2007
18	Derek Benrose 	45 	2010 	2011
20	Mark Dingle 	44 	2004 	2007
20	Joe Fisher 	44 	2000 	2001
22	DI Mark Malone 	43 	2020 	2020
22	Matthew Dingle 	43 	2004 	2007
24	Nicky Pritchard 	42 	2011 	2011
24	DI Vikesh Dasari 	42 	2006 	2007
24	Nellie Ratcliffe 	42 	1978 	1981
27	Jerry Walsh 	39 	2010 	2011
27	DS Karen Williams 	39 	2006 	2009
27	Sharon Lambert 	39 	2007 	2008
27	Liz MacDonald 	39 	1977 	1990
31	Jon Dingle 	38 	2004 	2007
31	Effie Harrison 	38 	2005 	2005
31	Glynis Hardy 	38 	2001 	2005
31	Ernie Shuttleworth 	38 	1975 	1999
35	Juliette Holliday 	37 	2014 	2021
35	Peg Dingle 	37 	2002 	2002
37	Sandra Briggs 	36 	2005 	2006
38	Kasim Sabet 	35 	2016 	2017
38	Jed Outhwaite 	35 	1998 	1998
38	Debbie Buttershaw 	35 	1993 	1993
41	PC James Pierce 	34 	2010 	2023
41	DS Jason Wise 	34 	2016 	2023
41	DS Benton 	34 	2017 	2018
41	DS Andrew Flanagan 	34 	2013 	2018
41	DI Derek Spalding 	34 	1998 	1999
41	Daniel Hawkins 	34 	1980 	1983
47	Alex Moore 	33 	2021 	2023
47	Dean Morris 	33 	2004 	2009
47	Noreen Bell 	33 	2005 	2006
47	Rachel Whatmore 	33 	2003 	2005
47	Liam Hammond 	33 	1999 	1999
52	Melanie Clifford 	32 	1992 	1992
52	James Bonfils 	32 	1974 	1975
54	Michael Conway 	31 	2009 	2009
54	Stephen Butler 	31 	2003 	2003
54	Steve Marshal 	31 	1992 	1993
57	Dr. Josephine Abbott 	30 	2006 	2013
57	Barry Clegg 	30 	1997 	1998
57	Clifford Longthorn 	30 	1980 	1986
60	DS Sanders 	29 	2018 	2019
60	DI Mark Bails 	29 	2014 	2018
60	Misty Allbright 	29 	2018 	2018
60	Malcolm Bates 	29 	1984 	1991
64	Tess Harris 	28 	2015 	2016
64	DI Frank Blackmore 	28 	2006 	2008
64	Tamsin Charles 	28 	2005 	2005
64	Lord Alex Oakwell 	28 	1997 	1998
64	Dan 	28 	1990 	1992
64	Helen Sutcliffe 	28 	1988 	1988
64	Martin Gimbel 	28 	1975 	1976
71	Barbara Kirk 	27 	1998 	2002
71	Jo Steadman 	27 	1997 	1997
71	Penny Golightly 	27 	1973 	1973
74	Victor Anderson 	26 	2023 	2023
74	DC Wilson 	26 	2017 	2018
74	Dr. Alex Mason 	26 	2017 	2018
74	DC Laura Prior 	26 	2010 	2011
74	John Wylie 	26 	1999 	2000
74	Jim Gimbel 	26 	1974 	1975
80	Craig Reed 	25 	2023 	2023
80	Clare Sutcliffe 	25 	1988 	1989
82	DS Rogers 	24 	2021 	2022
82	Danny Harrington 	24 	2019 	2021
82	Simon McManus 	24 	2016 	2018
82	Craig Briggs 	24 	2004 	2006
82	Doreen Shuttleworth 	24 	1984 	1991
82	Christopher Meadows 	24 	1981 	1988
82	Lucy Stubbs 	24 	1977 	1977
89	Leonard Kempinski 	23 	1992 	1994
89	Meg Armstrong 	23 	1979 	1986
89	Jessie Renfrew 	23 	1978 	1983
92	Ivy Malcolms 	22 	2023 	
92	Helen Ackroyd 	22 	1995 	1998
92	Dean Adlington 	22 	1997 	1998
92	Tony Marchant 	22 	1987 	1987
92	Graham Lodsworth 	22 	1986 	1987
92	Ted Edwards 	22 	1977 	1980
92	Barney 	22 	1972 	1978
92	Robert Sharp 	22 	1974 	1976
92	Clare Scott 	22 	1973 	1973
==See also==
*Minor characters
*List of longest running characters
*List of appearances
Category:Lists