Emmerdale’s Faith Dingle Star Sally Dexter Breaks Silence on Surprise Return in Robert Sugden Twist
Emmerdale fans were left stunned when Faith Dingle made an unexpected return — two years after her emotional death — in a special flashback episode revealing her secret connection to Robert Sugden’s prison story. Now, actress Sally Dexter has opened up about her surprise comeback and the powerful twist that ties her beloved character to one of the soap’s biggest storylines.
Faith’s Final Mission Revealed
In Wednesday’s episode (November 12), viewers finally learned the truth about what happened to Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) during his years behind bars — and the surprising visit that changed everything.
The episode flashed back to Robert’s time in prison, where he revealed to Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) that his relationship with fellow inmate Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) helped him survive. But when a prisoner named Jez was killed, Robert was forced to relive the trauma of his time behind bars.
Then came the emotional twist — a flashback to Faith’s final months, showing her secret prison visit to Robert.
In the scene, Faith urged him to appeal his case, telling him that Aaron was in trouble and needed saving. Her visit reignited Robert’s feelings for Aaron and set in motion his eventual return to the village, closing a circle that began years earlier with Faith’s quiet, motherly intervention.
Sally Dexter on Returning From the Dead
Following the episode, ITV shared a behind-the-scenes video of Sally Dexter reflecting on her unexpected return.
“Hello! They’ve thrown me in prison with Robert,” she laughed. “It’s a flashback episode, and it’s delightful to be back doing it.”
On how she reacted to the call, Dexter admitted she was stunned:
“First of all, I thought, ‘How are they going to get me back?’ Because I’m dead — I’ve been dead about two years!”
The actress said stepping back into Faith’s shoes felt emotional and nostalgic.
“It was like going back to an old school or a house you used to live in. It feels very, very homely.”
Faith’s Legacy Lives On
Dexter also shared how much it meant to revisit Faith’s character in a way that deepened her legacy.
“If you haven’t seen tonight’s episode, please go and watch it,” she urged. “It’s very special, and to play Faith again is very, very special to me.”
With a laugh, she even teased a cheeky idea for the future:
“I’ve been practicing my Australian accent in case they decide her cousin appears one day — called Hope. And I’d put in for a blonde wig if they did!”
A Heartfelt Reunion for Fans
Faith’s return was a deeply emotional surprise for longtime Emmerdale viewers. Her final storyline in 2022 saw the Dingle matriarch battling terminal cancer before taking her own life in a moving farewell surrounded by her family.
By bringing Faith back in flashback form, Emmerdale gave fans one more glimpse of her compassion and strength — this time as the unseen force that helped bring Robert home and reconnect him with his true love, Aaron.