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‘Emmerdale’ says goodbye to Betty Eagleton

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Emmerdale actress Paula Tilbrook is retiring after 21 years of playing the role of village gossip Betty Eagleton in the ITV soap.

Betty first appeared in Emmerdale in April 1994 for just three episodes when she ordered a sweet sherry in the Woolpack. Being an old friend of Seth Armstrong she soon put down roots in the village and even fell prey to wheeler dealer, Eric Pollard.  Seth proposed at the end of her first year but the marriage never happened as they postponed it indefinitely.

As she finished filming at the Emmerdale village for the last time, Paula said. “I have been at Emmerdale for twenty-one years and I’ve loved every moment. Today is both the saddest and the happiest day of my life. Happy because I’ve got everyone here with me but the sad part is I’m leaving. But there is a great atmosphere and it is nice to go out on a high.”

Kate Oates Series Producer says: “It’s impossible to overstate how much everyone at Emmerdale will miss Paula. In Betty, she’s created a British television icon: someone who has lit up our screens and touched our hearts. Off screen, she is an integral part of the Emmerdale family: an inspiration to those she works with, as well as a fabulous raconteur and hilarious storyteller. We are sad to lose her from the programme, but wish her the happy retirement she so deserves.

Paula’s last scenes will be aired on ITV mid May.