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Emmerdale tipped to bring back iconic villain 20 years after explosive exit for dramatic storyline
The star was last seen in 2006 on the ITV soap.
ITV
- Molly Moss
Published: Sunday, 5 April 2026 at 12:26 pm
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Emmerdale star Patsy Kensit is being tipped for a return to the show 20 years after she left.
The actress played the villainous character Sadie King for a two-year stint between 2004 and 2006 on the ITV soap.
According to The Sun, the star will return as the character in a "dramatic storyline" later this year.
A source told the publication: “This signing has been kept a top secret as bosses want Patsy’s return to shock fans.
“She is apparently delighted to be get her teeth back into the meaty role."
The source continued: “Scriptwriters want to keep the show going with explosive plots and divisive characters.”
Radio Times has contacted ITV for comment.
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Sadie first appeared on Emmerdale in 2004 as the glamorous, scheming then-wife of Jimmy King (Nick Miles) - memorably arriving in the village by helicopter.
She was involved in some huge storylines over the years, including an ongoing feud with her father-in-law's new partner, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).
The character also became embroiled in a revenge scheme against Jimmy and his family after things soured between them, and in her romance with his brother Matthew King (Matt Healy), which saw her and her lover, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), kidnap her former father-in-law Tom King (Kenneth Farrington) and demand a ransom.
Sadie King (Patsy Kensit, left) fled Emmerdaler in 2006 after being crossed by Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). TV Times/ Getty Images
However, the storyline ultimately led to Sadie's exit in 2006 after Cain double-crossed her, taking all of the ransom money from the Kings and leaving her with nothing.
Kensit's dramatic storylines and fiery personality soon cemented her as a fan-favourite, winning awards in 2005 and 2006 at the Inside Soap Awards.
Following her exit from Emmerdale, the star went on to play mysterious nurse Faye Morton in Holby City and later Lola Pearce's long-lost mother Emma Harding in EastEnders.
Patsy Kensit as Sadie King in Emmerdale. ITV
Sadie's return would mean she has a romantic history with not just Jimmy and Cain, but also a former flame in the form of Robert Sugden (then played by Karl Davies, now by Ryan Hawley), with whom she enjoyed a brief fling.
Sadie's biggest nemesis, Charity Dingle, is a village fixture, and Sadie certainly has no friends in the rest of the Dingle clan, including Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter).
Not only this, but Sadie also does not have a good history with the Tate clan, having forced Zoe Tate (the late Leah Bracknell) into giving Home Farm to the Kings, meaning Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) lost his childhood home.
Sadie never crossed paths with Kim Tate (Claire King), but that would be a battle for the ages!
Read more:
- Emmerdale reveals fearsome Dr Todd's backstory in intriguing early ITVX release
- Who is guilty of poisoning in Emmerdale as iconic character's life hangs in the balance in ITVX release?
- Emmerdale airs sick new low for Joe Tate in Dingle feud during early ITX release
- 4 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Distraught Cain Dingle makes a move on Charity in two-hander episode
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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Authors
Molly MossTrends Writer
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
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