Emmerdale Alice Dingle star now 18 years after quitting soap and turning back on acting

Alice Dingle, a beloved character from Emmerdale, was last seen on screen nearly two decades ago.

The popular character, portrayed by Ursula Holden-Gill, first made her appearance in the Dales in 2004. She quickly became a favourite among the soap's dedicated viewers.

Emmerdale enthusiasts will remember Alice as the loving mother married to Sam Dingle (James Hooton), with whom she had a son, Samson. However, the character met a tragic end way back in 2006.

While pregnant, Alice was sadly diagnosed with cancer. Despite medical advice, she chose to continue her pregnancy and gave birth prematurely to a son, Samson.

Subsequently, she underwent chemotherapy but it proved unsuccessful. Consequently, Alice and her husband Sam devised an euthanasia plan, leading to her death from a morphine overdose in 2006, reports Leeds Live.

After leaving the soap in 2007, Ursula pursued a career in teaching. She achieved fully qualified Teacher status and established herself as a professional Storyteller.

The actress, originally from West Yorkshire, has now officially retired from acting, with her last on-screen role being a Clerk in the TV mini-series, In the Dark in 2017. Additionally, Ursula qualified as a Dramatherapist in 2022. According to her website, she is "committed to Child and Family Trauma Therapy".

The ex-soap actress is now skilled as a Celebrant after training with The Order Of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Ursula offers services as a Family Celebrant, leading ceremonies such as baby namings, Civil Partnerships, funerals, memorials, weddings, and vow renewals.

Her online portal details: "All proceeds from Ursula's work as a Celebrant are gifted to her chosen charity: Compassion in World Farming."

Years after leaving Emmerdale, Ursula has not only altered her career path but her appearance as well. Gone are the days of the fiery red, short hairstyle that was her trademark on the show; these days, she sports light, chin-grazing locks that offer her a distinctively different look from her time on the popular series.