Amelia’s Rise in Emmerdale
Emmerdale’s Amelia Flanagan has grown up on screen, playing April Windsor since 2014. Over the past decade, viewers have watched April transform from a sweet, cheeky child into a teenager facing some of the soap’s most harrowing storylines.
This past year has been especially challenging for April. Her character endured a traumatic period that began with her sudden disappearance over Christmas. In a special episode, viewers discovered that April had been living on the streets, where she endured heartbreaking experiences — from witnessing violence to tragically giving birth to a stillborn baby.
Now, April’s journey continues as she reconnects with Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle), a boy she met during her time away. Their bond has been tested by Dylan’s entanglement with dangerous figures, leaving April both protective and frustrated.
For a young actress, tackling such sensitive storylines is no small feat — but Amelia has been praised for bringing authenticity and emotional depth to April’s struggles.
How Old Is April Windsor?
April Windsor is the daughter of the late Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth) and Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock). She is also the stepdaughter of Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry).
April’s birthday is listed as 13 August 2009, which makes her 16 years old in the show.
By contrast, Amelia Flanagan, who plays her, was born on 6 June 2008. At 17, she is just one year older than her character — and has already spent more than half her life in the role.
Amelia Flanagan: From Banana Costumes to Award Wins
Amelia joined Emmerdale at just five years old. She first appeared on 19 March 2014, when Donna returned to the village and revealed she had secretly given birth to April during her absence.
Speaking about her audition, Amelia once recalled a charming story to OK! Magazine:
“The director asked me if I could dress up as any character in the world, who would it be? I think everyone else said ‘a princess,’ but I said ‘a banana.’ Within six months, April was wearing a banana costume in Emmerdale!”
Since then, Amelia has gone on to become one of the soap’s most acclaimed young performers. She has already collected multiple honors, including three awards in a single year at the Inside Soap Awards and The British Soap Awards.
With her recent portrayal of April’s devastating storylines, fans and critics alike believe more accolades could soon be on the horizon.
Meet Amelia’s Soap Star Siblings
Acting clearly runs in the Flanagan family. Amelia is the eldest of three siblings, and both of her younger siblings also star in ITV soaps.
Her sister Isabella Flanagan plays Hope Dobbs in Coronation Street. She took over the role in 2017, stepping into a storyline-packed character who has been at the center of dramatic plots.
Her twin brother, William (Will) Flanagan, also joined Coronation Street in October 2017, portraying Joseph Brown — Chesney Brown’s (Sam Aston) son.
In 2022, both Amelia and Isabella were nominated for Best Young Performer at the Inside Soap Awards, with Isabella ultimately winning. Between them, the Flanagan siblings have become some of the brightest young talents in British soaps.
What’s Next for Amelia and April?
As Emmerdale continues to explore April Windsor’s journey, Amelia is set to take on even more challenging material. The storyline surrounding April’s trauma and her protective friendship with Dylan promises to remain a focal point in upcoming episodes.
Behind the scenes, Amelia’s dedication and natural ability have marked her out as a future star not only of soap operas but of British television as a whole. With her talent, determination, and support from her equally talented siblings, the future looks bright for the Flanagan trio.
