Emmerdale has been a staple of British television for decades, and its stars have not only captured viewers’ hearts but also impressive paychecks. From long-standing fan favorites to reality TV ventures, here’s a look at some of the soap’s wealthiest actors and their net worths.

Lucy Pargeter – Chas Dingle

Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, reportedly earns £170,000 annually for her role. Since joining the soap in 2002, she has built a net worth of around £3.9 million, thanks to both her work on Emmerdale and other lucrative opportunities.

Outside the soap, Pargeter competed on Soapstar Superstar in 2006, finishing in third place. In 2013, she appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in Australia, reportedly earning £50,000. Her versatility in reality TV and acting has contributed significantly to her wealth.

Jeff Hordley – Cain Dingle

Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle, earns £200,000 a year. He has been part of the show since 2000 and boasts a net worth exceeding £3 million.

Hordley is also a DJ, working for radio stations in Plymouth and Oldham. On ITV’s Lorraine, he explained, “Being an actor, you always need something else. DJing was always mine.” This side hustle adds to his earnings while keeping him creatively engaged outside the soap.

Emma Atkins – Charity Dingle

Emma Atkins, known for her portrayal of Charity Dingle, reportedly earns £200,000 annually, matching Hordley’s salary. She first joined the show in 2000, took a break in 2005, and returned in 2009.

Atkins also balanced acting with family life, taking a sabbatical in 2015 for the birth of her son. During her time away from the village, she appeared in several other shows, including Dalziel and Pascoe, Doctors, Casualty, and Heartbeat. Her net worth is boosted by these diverse acting projects.

Chris Chittell – Eric Pollard

Chris Chittell has played Eric Pollard since 1986, making him the longest-serving cast member in Emmerdale history. He reportedly earns £200,000 a year and has amassed an estimated £7 million over his decades-long career.

In July, Chittell signed a new deal, extending his time on the soap into its milestone 40th year. A source noted, “Chris is Emmerdale and there was no way he wasn’t going to make it to 40 years in the village. It’s such a big achievement.” Fans can expect exciting storylines for Eric in the coming year.

Claire King – Kim Tate

Claire King is Emmerdale’s highest-paid actor, earning £230,000 per year for her role as the formidable Kim Tate. She first appeared in 1989 and became one of the soap’s most iconic characters.

King has also explored reality TV, participating in Strictly Come Dancing in 2006 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, though she left early for medical reasons. Beyond Emmerdale, she appeared in Bad Girls, Hollyoaks, and even ITV rival Coronation Street. Her combined acting and reality TV ventures make her the soap’s top earner.

The Takeaway

From Lucy Pargeter’s £3.9 million fortune to Claire King’s position as the highest-paid star, Emmerdale’s actors have leveraged their on-screen fame into impressive wealth. Many have supplemented their salaries with reality TV appearances and other projects, proving their versatility in the entertainment industry.

Whether long-standing favorites like Chris Chittell or iconic characters like Kim Tate, these stars demonstrate that enduring success in a soap can translate into substantial financial rewards.