Sadie King’s return to Emmerdale is every bit as iconic – and familiar – as you’d expect

| Deputy Soaps Editor Published September 2, 2026 7:00am Sadie King returns to Emmerdale in the only way Sadie King could – in style! (Picture: ITV / Metro) Sadie King (Patsy Kensit) was never going to stage her long-awaited return to Emmerdale quietly and I’m pleased to report that the two-decade wait was absolutely worth it. In scenes reminiscent of her Dales debut, Sadie, whose troublemaking ways made her a village pariah, steps foot out of a helicopter, disrupting the peace as tributes are paid to Jimmy (Nick Miles). Jimmy tragically died last week after he swerved his car to avoid an oncoming vehicle, sending him straight into the marquee where Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) was set to wed Joe Tate (Ned Porteous). Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) was by his side holding his hand as he took his last breath and upcoming scenes will see her join fellow villagers including Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) and Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) at the crash site to honour loveable Jimmy. But they soon get the shock of their lives when a helicopter flies overhead, with Sadie emerging from the chopper and lying a singing red rose at the site of Jimmy’s crash, making her presence felt in doing so. Sadie arrives to pay her respects to Jimmy (Picture: ITV) Nicola, Laurel, Charity, Kammy and Belle are in disbelief (Picture: ITV) Nicola, Laurel and Charity watch on in horror but Sadie insists she’s simply there to honour her ex husband – there is no agenda. Nicola, however, remains sceptical. Has Sadie tuned over a new leaf? The show schemer was introduced in 2004, arriving in true Home Farm style on a helicopter. Sadie approaches former nemesis Charity (Picture: ITV) She would go on to have an affair with Robert Sugden – and later, her own husband’s brother Matthew. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. One of her most memorable stories saw her drive a wedge between Charity and King patriarch Tom after learning that the now-owner of the Woolpack was set to marry into the family. When Tom broke things off with her as a result of Sadie’s meddling, Charity got her revenge via a subsequent dalliance with Jimmy, recording a conversation with him as he admitted to Sadie’s schemes on a VHS tape, which Charity screened in front of the entire family. Sadie King is back with a bang! (Picture: ITV) Following a romance with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Sadie left the village in 2006. But with a number of faces who crossed paths with her still very much living in Emmerdale, just how will the residents react to the return of a controversial icon? Buckle up, it’s going to be chaotic – and we wouldn’t want it any other way! Deals of the Day The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX and YouTube. If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Arrow MORE: Who is Carl’s mum in Emmerdale? Nicola and Jimmy’s son’s parentage explained Arrow MORE: Who’s died in Emmerdale in 2026 so far? Full list of departed characters Arrow MORE: Emmerdale’s Nicola left hating Jimmy after discovering gobsmacking secret that will stun fans The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.