Episode 3344 (2nd January 2003)

==Plot==
Nicola is determined not to let Neil out of her sight and insists that he join her for dinner later in the day. But as Syd warns Neil that she can be a bit of a handful, he makes it perfectly clear that he is just out for a bit of fun and isn’t looking for a serious relationship. And Steph comes to his rescue when she ignores Nicola's words of warning to stay away and returns home slightly worse for wear – interrupting Nicola and Neil. He's grateful for the diversion and makes a sharp exit. Viv is revelling in the gossip following Zak’s departure and speculates on why he would abandon his family. Lisa is ashamed to find herself lying – unable to reveal the outlandish truth about Zak chasing a lost fortune. As she and Sam retreat to The Woolpack they are greeted with sniggers and whispering – until Cain makes an unexpected yet dignified defence of his father and the Dingle family. Laurel is upset after her disastrous efforts behind the bar and Diane is forced to let her down gently. And Marlon decides to put Tricia under tight surveillance in a bid to make her keep her New Year's resolution not to spend money they haven’t got.
==Cast==
===Regular cast===
*Louise Appleton - Emily Symons
*Cain Dingle - Jeff Hordley
*Sam Dingle - James Hooton
*Belle Dingle - Emily Mather (uncredited)
*Lisa Dingle - Jane Cox
*Tricia Stokes - Sheree Murphy
*Bob Hope - Tony Audenshaw
*Laurel Potts - Charlotte Bellamy
*Seth Armstrong - Stan Richards
*Diane Blackstock - Elizabeth Estensen
*Marlon Dingle - Mark Charnock
*Brian Addyman - Martin Reeve
*Terry Woods - Billy Hartman
*Steph Stokes - Lorraine Chase
*Viv Hope - Deena Payne
*Jarvis Skelton - Richard Moore
*Sydney Woolfe - Nathan Gladwell
*Nicola Blackstock - Nicola Wheeler
*Len Reynolds - Peter Martin
*Edna Birch - Shirley Stelfox
===Guest cast===
*D I Judy Dove - Susan Cookson
*P C Tyrell - Liam Fox
*Neil Hopkins - Phil Corbitt
==Locations==
*Main Street
*Wishing Well Cottage - Living room/kitchen
*The Woolpack - Public bar, back room and staff corridor
*Cricket Pavilion
*Village Store, Post Office & Off-Licence - Shop floor
*The Ford
*Dale View - Kitchen and living room
*Emmerdale Village Institute - Main hall
==Notes==
*No episode was shown on Wednesday 1st January.
*Two future regular cast members of Emmerdale appear in this episode in guest roles - Liam Fox makes a pre-Dan Spencer appearance as PC Tyrell, while Susan Cookson makes a pre-Wendy Posner appearance as DI Judy Dove.
*Viewing Figures: UK broadcast - 10,850,000 viewers (11th place).
Category:2003 episodes
Category:Emmerdale episodes