In a surprising twist that has delighted Emmerdale fans, actress Sally Dexter made an emotional return to the ITV soap as Faith Dingle, despite her character's tragic death from cancer in 2022.
Faith's Unexpected Return to Emmerdale
The beloved character reappeared in scenes aired on November 12, 2025, available now on ITVX, during Robert Sugden's prison storyline. Faith appeared to Robert during his time at Hotten prison, where he's been serving his sentence.
Robert, played by Ryan Hawley, had been navigating a complex relationship with his cellmate Kev Townsend, portrayed by Chris Coghill. The storyline took dramatic turns when Kev stabbed himself to distract Robert from pursuing an appeal against his sentencing.
Faith's ghostly appearance served as a crucial turning point for Robert's character arc. She explained that Aaron Dingle - her grandson played by Danny Miller - was struggling with his mental health and needed Robert's help.
Sally Dexter's Emotional Response to Returning
Sally Dexter expressed her delight at returning to the Emmerdale set, even for a brief appearance. 'I thought, how are they going to get me back? Cos I'm dead! I've been dead, I think it's about two years, so I had no idea what was coming,' she revealed.
The return held particular emotional significance for the actress, who shared that she originally based Faith on her own mother. Tragically, her mother passed away last year, making the return to playing Faith especially poignant.
'Actually, coming back and doing her again is lovely. Such a joyous thing to do, I'm very grateful,' Dexter emotionally shared with reporters.
Faith's Impact on Robert's Storyline
Faith's intervention proved decisive in Robert's journey. During their prison visit scene, Faith revealed she was moments away from learning her cancer was terminal when she spoke with Robert originally.
Her powerful message that 'life really is too short' resonated deeply with Robert, prompting him to confront his feelings for Aaron and commit to launching the appeal.
Without Faith's intervention, Robert might never have returned to the village to reunite with his true love. The emotional scene provided closure while moving the current storyline forward significantly.
Reflecting on Faith's original final storyline, Dexter praised the writing and her co-stars, particularly Jeff Hordley who plays her son Cain Dingle. 'People really seem to plug into it, and I don't blame them. It was beautifully written and I thought Jeff was particularly spectacular, as he always is!'
The actress even joked about potential future returns, suggesting she'd been 'practicing my Australian accent in case they decide that a cousin suddenly appears called Hope.'
Dexter concluded by emphasising how special the experience felt: 'It's very special and to play Faith again is very, very special to me.'
