Diane Sugden (also Blackstock) is a fictional character from the
British soap opera Emmerdale, portrayed by Elizabeth Estensen. Since
her first appearance in 1999 she has been involved in several
high-profile storylines, including her marriage to Jack Sugden (Clive
Hornby) and his subsequent death, a battle with colon cancer, the
revelation that her ex-husband Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower)
fathered her sister Val Lambert's (Charlie Hardwick) son, being held
hostage in a siege at The Woolpack, sleeping with her sister Val's
husband Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), assaulting a police officer,
being involved in a helicopter crash, coping with her sister Val's
death in the crash, being stabbed by Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) after
thinking she broke into the pub, the revelation that her cancer is
active and a feud with Chrissie White (Louise Marwood) after it is
revealed that she pulled a sick stunt by fitting up and destroying
Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher)â€"Diane's stepsonâ€"for attempted murder
before he was jailed for life forever. Since the departure of Jane Cox
in May 2019, Estensen is the longest serving female actress having
been on screen for 21 years.The character was introduced in November
1999 as the mother of established regular Bernice Blackstock (Samantha
Giles). Actress Elizabeth Estensen described Diane as "a tart with a
heart", and stated "Diane likes a good time, is kind-hearted and easy
to get on with." Diane immediately flirts with Alan Turner (Richard
Thorp) and Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), leading Estensen to point
out that "there's no doubt that she likes male company." Estensen was
not a fan of her character's style, which initially consisted of high
heels and tight clothing. Estensen also had to wear a blonde wig for
the role. She called Diane "more flamboyant than Bernice".Producers
established a friendship between Diane and Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby)
amidst his marriage breakdown and custody battle. Estensen said Diane
initially visits Jack to offer moral support. She continued "They've
been talking, she's enjoying his company, and then one evening, one
thing leads to another and they spend the night together." Diane is
disappointed to learn that Jack only thinks of their night together as
a comfort during his marital problems. Estensen told an Inside Soap
writer that Diane is attracted to Jack, but he wants to make sure that
no one finds out what happened between them. As Diane "honourably"
promises to keep their night to herself, Estensen said that it
actually brings the pair closer together as friends. She also said
that she was initially concerned when she learned of the storyline, as
she thought that viewers would be put off by people of Jack and
Diane's age kissing and having sex. But she found that the plot was
"absolutely fine in the end" and Hornby was "terribly nice" during
filming. The plot starts a three year on/off romance between the
characters, which culminates in their marriage in September 2004.
British soap opera Emmerdale, portrayed by Elizabeth Estensen. Since
her first appearance in 1999 she has been involved in several
high-profile storylines, including her marriage to Jack Sugden (Clive
Hornby) and his subsequent death, a battle with colon cancer, the
revelation that her ex-husband Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower)
fathered her sister Val Lambert's (Charlie Hardwick) son, being held
hostage in a siege at The Woolpack, sleeping with her sister Val's
husband Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), assaulting a police officer,
being involved in a helicopter crash, coping with her sister Val's
death in the crash, being stabbed by Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) after
thinking she broke into the pub, the revelation that her cancer is
active and a feud with Chrissie White (Louise Marwood) after it is
revealed that she pulled a sick stunt by fitting up and destroying
Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher)â€"Diane's stepsonâ€"for attempted murder
before he was jailed for life forever. Since the departure of Jane Cox
in May 2019, Estensen is the longest serving female actress having
been on screen for 21 years.The character was introduced in November
1999 as the mother of established regular Bernice Blackstock (Samantha
Giles). Actress Elizabeth Estensen described Diane as "a tart with a
heart", and stated "Diane likes a good time, is kind-hearted and easy
to get on with." Diane immediately flirts with Alan Turner (Richard
Thorp) and Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), leading Estensen to point
out that "there's no doubt that she likes male company." Estensen was
not a fan of her character's style, which initially consisted of high
heels and tight clothing. Estensen also had to wear a blonde wig for
the role. She called Diane "more flamboyant than Bernice".Producers
established a friendship between Diane and Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby)
amidst his marriage breakdown and custody battle. Estensen said Diane
initially visits Jack to offer moral support. She continued "They've
been talking, she's enjoying his company, and then one evening, one
thing leads to another and they spend the night together." Diane is
disappointed to learn that Jack only thinks of their night together as
a comfort during his marital problems. Estensen told an Inside Soap
writer that Diane is attracted to Jack, but he wants to make sure that
no one finds out what happened between them. As Diane "honourably"
promises to keep their night to herself, Estensen said that it
actually brings the pair closer together as friends. She also said
that she was initially concerned when she learned of the storyline, as
she thought that viewers would be put off by people of Jack and
Diane's age kissing and having sex. But she found that the plot was
"absolutely fine in the end" and Hornby was "terribly nice" during
filming. The plot starts a three year on/off romance between the
characters, which culminates in their marriage in September 2004.
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