Emmerdale is marking its 40th birthday with a special live episode on Wednesday 17 October and, as series producer Stuart Blackburn told RadioTimes.com, the event will be quite a challenge:
“We’re in a field, on a hill, in Yorkshire, in October, at night. There’s an element of insanity about it,” he said.
So, what exactly is needed to bring this anniversary offering to life? Here are the behind-the-scenes statistics:
1 stunt co-ordinator will be on set, as the cast will bravely be doing their own stunts.
4 golf buggies will be powered up to transport the cast around the village. And actors have approximately a maximum of 4 minutes to change and move between sets.
4 newborn babies will be on set.
5 generators will be used to power the village.
6 versions of the live episode script have so far been produced.
7 wedding dresses will be made available to cast members.
20 rain deflectors for the cameras will be on standby in case of extreme weather.
23 make-up artists, 26 prop assistants, 27 cameras and 30 costume staff are needed for this single hour of drama.
61 cast members are to feature.
70 crew members will be at work, a figure that’s almost double those needed on a regular Emmerdale shooting day.
110 hours of rehearsal time will be given over in the lead-up to the big day, which breaks down at 10 hours a day for 11 days.
350 supporting artistes will be required.
How many fingers will be crossed on the night in question is anyone’s guess!