EMMERDALE has ruled out a return for a soap legend with a brutal off-screen storyline.

The ITV soap has dropped a bombshell about a popular character amid speculation that she is returning.

Viewers know that Sarah Sugden has been secretly dealing with a health issue that has seen her diagnosed with cancer.

However she’s been forced to deal with it alone as her family – grandparents Charity and Cain Dingle – have been too busy doing other things to listen to her when she tries to tell him.

In today’s episode Sarah tried to reach out to mum Debbie who as far as everyone else was aware was living in Scotland with younger son Jack.

However as Sarah tried to tell her mum about her diagnosis, Debbie interrupted her call to share some news of her own – she’s secretly married and moved to Australia.

The shock news left Sarah reeling and when she told her grandparents they were also shocked, and again ignored Sarah as she tried to open up to them.

It also puts an end to speculation that Debbie Dingle actress Charley Webb will return to the show for the major storyline.

Back in 2021 actress Charley ruled out a return to the show after then husband Matthew was caught up in a race row.

He was suspended but later cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation.

A source said at the time: “A source said: “Charley is closing the door on Emmerdale for good and won’t be going back.

“After she gave birth to her third child with Matthew in 2019 she returned briefly before taking some time out again.

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“The past few months have given her time to think about the future and it is one that doesn’t involve Emmerdale.

“Matthew being caught up in the row on set fuelled her decision to step away.

“Charley has been on Emmerdale for 19 years and her character Debbie has had a rollercoaster ride. It’s time for a new adventure for Charley.