Emmerdale paid a touching tribute to a ‘friend and colleague’ at the end of Thursday’s episode, which is available on ITV X. As the credits rolled, an emotional message appeared on-screen: “Dedicated to our friend and colleague Stephanie Ives-Stevens 1979 to 2023.” The hour-long episode saw Ella Forster arrested while Cathy Hope agreed to join Brenda Walker on a three-month cruise. Brenda had won two tickets for an all-inclusive luxury cruise but was initially reluctant to go after her break up with Eric Pollard last year.

However, she eventually decided to embark on the trip and persuaded Cathy to join her. Despite initial hesitations due to concerns about leaving her father Bob Hope following the loss of her twin brother Heath, Cathy was convinced by Nicola King. Nicola reassured her, saying: “He’ll be fine, I promise you. He’ll have me and Jimmy, and all his other friends, and April too, she’s family!”, reports Leeds Live.

She was encouraged by close friends not to cancel an upcoming cruise with her mother Brenda, who is departing from the show. “He wants you to go and enjoy yourself, and if you did cancel it because of him how guilty would that make him feel.

“You’ve been through a lot these last couple of years, losing Heath and struggling with your PMDD, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and no one deserves it more than you.”

Brenda’s father Bob also urged her to embark on the voyage saying: “Three months of peace and quiet? I can hardly wait! Of course I’m going to miss you but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to go!”

He added: “Your happiness is the most important thing, right? So get out there and enjoy yourself!”

Meanwhile, Ella Forster was arrested after a furious confrontation with Liam Cavanagh in the woods following her confession that she had spiked Chas Dingle.

After attacking Liam, she feared she had killed the doctor, but luckily he woke up and convinced Ella to turn herself in, as he insisted she neeed to take responsibility get professional help.

Later, with Ella behind bars, Chas shared her delight at finally seeing the back of Ella, but as Liam agreed, his partner failed to spot the expression on his face. Fans have been left wondering what he was thinking about, and could it mean a return for Ella?