James Hooton marks 30 years on Emmerdale, receiving heartfelt congratulations from co-stars.
Leeds: Emmerdale star James Hooton just hit a big milestone—30 years on the show! He joined back in 1995 as Sam Dingle, and his co-stars are showering him with love.
Fans adore Sam, especially since he’s part of the Dingle family and married to Lydia. They’ve had their ups and downs, but they finally settled down in 2017.
James took a short break in 1998 but came back in 2000 and has been a staple ever since. He’s also appeared in shows like Peak Practice and The Bill.
Recently, he chatted on ITV’s Loose Women about his future on Emmerdale. He said he’ll stick around as long as they want him. His character has been through some intense drama lately, especially with his son Samson.
James mentioned how Sam finally stands up to Cain, which is a big deal for him. He’s had plenty of family feuds, but they’ll eventually sort things out.
On Instagram, he shared a throwback photo from his first scene, celebrating his 30th anniversary. He remembered working with Steve Halliwell and Paul Loughran, who are no longer on the show.
During his interview, he also talked about honoring Steve’s memory with a respectful storyline. His co-stars have been super supportive, with Lisa Riley and others sending their congratulations.
It’s clear that James is loved by his castmates, and they’re all excited for what’s next. Emmerdale continues to air weekdays at 7:30 PM on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
