Emmerdale star returns from beyond the grave in tear-jerking scene

Viewers couldn't contain their emotions as they saw Sophie Powles reprise her role in Emmerdale for one last time. 

The actress, 36, who starred as Holly Barton in the ITV soap opera on and off since 2009, returned to the village from beyond the grave on Wednesday as her mother Moira Dingle (Natalie J. Robb) went 'under the knife' to remove her tumour. 

Sophie's character had a fatal drug relapse and passed away in 2016, leaving her mother Moira devastated - just six months after she returned to the show. 

However, she has now temporarily returned to the show once again for a new tear-jerking storyline with her on-screen mother, leaving fans in bits.

In some poignant snaps revealed on Wednesday, it appears Natalie is dreaming during her operation as she sees her daughter once again, although it has not been confirmed. 

Filmed on a farm setting, the on-screen mother and daughter duo both appear emotional as they have their last conversation before embracing one another in a warm hug for the very last time.

Upon seeing her return, viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to express their delight at seeing Sophie on their screens once again. 

Fans wrote: 'OMG Holly Barton #emmerdale',

'Holly Barton??', 'not me crying at the holly and moira part', 'Seeing Holly back made me sob',

'Lovely Moira and Holly scene'. 

In a new interview, Sophie discussed how she felt when the soap opera approached her to film the special episode. 

Revealing that she was 'grateful' to be back, Sophie said: 'I was really happy to come back.'

She added: 'Being a part of Emmerdale was just the best experience. Genuinely made friends for life in the cast and crew, learnt so much and have the best memories.'

'So really grateful to come back and work with friends again on a show I love so much.'

She also praised her co-star Natalie J. Robb, 49, who plays the role of her on-screen mother Moira, when asked if she had watched her play out her storyline. 

Claiming she puts her 'heart and soul' into everything she does on the show, Sophie said: 'Natalie is just the most incredible actress. She puts her heart and soul into every storyline.'

'She researches everything to give the most authentic experience. What I’ve seen has been so heartbreaking and obviously brilliant.'

Discussing the powerful episode, the star admitted that they both cried when they first read the scenes. 

She revealed: 'Yeah it’s a really powerful episode and Nats and I both cried when we read the scenes. They are really beautifully written.' 

The star was also asked how her first day back on set went to which she revealed 'it felt like I had never left'. 

She recalled: 'It was so lovely to come back for the day. To be honest it felt like I had never left. It was just a great day doing what I love with people I love.'

Seen as Sophie starred as Holly for several years on the soap, it didn't take the actress long to slip back into character once again.

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Revealing how she got prepped ahead of filming, Sophie said: 'Natalie and I facetimed the night before to run everything and check we were on the same page.'

'And the minute I was back on sat with Natalie also in character I just slipped straight back into character. Hair, makeup and costume did an amazing job of helping me feel like Holly again.'

The star also confessed that during her time on the show between 2009 and 2016 she 'learnt so much' and 'laughed a lot'. 

Discussing her happy memories from her time on Emmerdale, she said: 'I have the best memories of working on Emmerdale. I was so young when I started the show. I learnt so much. Laughed A LOT and made friends I call family.'

'A lot of the older cast and crew took me under their wing and showed me so much love and kindness.'

'Sadly some of them are no longer with us. Especially my beautifully magic friend Kitty, our incredible producer Gavin.'

'I’ll always be so grateful that I met them and for everything they did for me.'

Since leaving the hit ITV show, the star has kept herself busy and has grabbed every amazing opportunity thrown her way. 

Revealing she has been incredibly busy, Sophie said: 'Since leaving the show I have been busy. I've travelled with my boyfriend Mark and friends.'

'Had amazing opportunities assisting and producing for him on various film projects. I’ve done a lot of theatre, voice-over work and written poems and I sell prints with my brilliant friend Emily at The Happy newspaper.'

But the main thing she is most proud of was becoming a mother to her two daughters Marli Ocean, two, and her other daughter whose name has not yet been announced. 

She admitted: 'The main thing is becoming a mum to two incredible little girls. It’s without a doubt the most life-changing and the best thing that has ever happened to me.'

Sophie landed her role as Holly in Emmerdale when she was a teenager and the actress dyed her blonde hair brown for the part.

She made a brief return to the soap in 2016 and was praised for her convincing portrayal of Holly's death following a drug overdose.

Holly, who became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict in 2010, shocked viewers when she died after a heroin overdose in devastating scenes.