Emmerdale fans were in tears on Thursday when Faith Dingle died in the arms of her son Cain, after her long battle with cancer.
The matriarch, played by Sally Dexter, 62, committed suicide after discovering that her terminal illness had spread to her brain.
Determined not to lose her abilities, Faith took some pills before slipping into emotional scenes where a viewer declared their hearts “broken.”
Heartbreak: Emmerdale fans were in tears on Thursday as Faith Dingle died in her son Cain’s arms after her long battle with cancer
Devastated Cain (Jeff Hordley), who has had a difficult relationship with Faith, burst into tears as she uttered the words she so desperately wanted to hear: “I love you, mama.”
The disturbing scenes were broadcast on the same night as the soap bagged the Serial Drama gong at the National Television Awards, beating out rivals Coronation Street and Eastenders.
On Twitter, one fan said: ‘Sally Dexter broke my heart tonight, what a show what an actress.
Sad: Determined not to lose her faculties, Faith took some pills before slipping into emotional scenes where a viewer declared their hearts “broken”
Devastated: Devastated Cain (Jeff Hordley) who has had a difficult relationship with Faith, burst into tears as she uttered the words she so desperately wanted to hear: ‘I love you, mama’
Another agrees: ‘Sobbing, that was really sublime from everyone involved. Faith Dingle, I will miss you.”
While another added: ‘Just watched it and was blown away. Wonderfully written, acted and directed. So sad but so brilliantly played by Sally Dexter and Jeff Hordley. RIP Faith Dingle’.
And more comments: ‘Tonight Emmerdale made me sob…Faith Dingle you are a legend RIP Queen’ and ‘Beautiful performance from both actors…I cried so much. Wonderful storyline, I will miss you Faith Dingle’.
Emotion: Cain held his mother after her death and kissed her forehead
Meadows new: the actress has been playing the character occasionally since 2017
While a fifth wrote: Oh Faith Dingle, how I cried tonight! Will miss your character so much, thanks for the laughs…and the tears.
On Thursday, the Leeds-based soap also took home the Serial Drama Award at the 2022 National Television Awards at Wembley, OVO Arena London.
The ITV show faced stiff competition from rival soap operas EastEnders and Coronations Street, as well as Australian contender Neighbours, for the coveted prize.
RIP: On Twitter, a fan said: ‘Sally Dexter broke my heart tonight, what a show what an actress
It comes as the long-running soap prepares to celebrate its incredible 50th anniversary later this month.
The award was the last of the evening, with actress Olivia Bromley – who plays Dawn Taylor – receiving the award.
She said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, it means the world to us, especially this year – our 50th year of Emmerdale.
Congratulations! That same evening, the Leeds soap took home the Serial Drama Award at the 2022 National Television Awards at Wembley, OVO Arena London
‘We are so proud to take this home to Yorkshire. This is for everyone back home in the north who has worked so hard. On to the next fifty.’
Earlier in the evening, the cast and crew were surprised by a video of King Charles III.
The monarch said: ‘I am delighted to help celebrate Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary. I’m afraid I’m old enough to remember it being called Emmerdale Farm.
“It’s a testament to the production team that it has since become an important British institution and a major British export.
Winner: Meanwhile, there was double celebration for the Yorkshire-based soap as Mark Charnock received the Serial Drama Performance award for his role as Marlon Dingle
What makes Emmerdale so special is that it has stayed true to the vision of the original writer who wanted to show that farming is not just a job, it is a whole way of life.
‘Emmerdale continues to paint daily what life is like for those who work the land and protect our precious countryside.
‘It also addresses the long-term sustainability of the way we produce our food.
“It is only right that the National Television Awards recognize the tremendous contribution that Emmerdale has made and I hope viewers join me in celebrating its 50th anniversary and wish it an equally successful future.”
Surprise: earlier in the evening cast and crew were surprised by a video of King Charles III
Meanwhile, there was double celebration for the Yorkshire-based soap as Mark Charnock received the Serial Drama Performance award for his role as Marlon Dingle.
As he went on stage to get his gong, the actor said, ‘So, just follow the king! The three actresses, their work is off the scale, extraordinary work. I want to thank everyone at Emmerdale.
“Each script was this heartbreaking gift, the Stroke Association being so helpful. It feels like an important journey we have taken to raise awareness. I want to thank the audience, I didn’t think I would have a chance to win this.
“You caught me off guard by voting for me. I’m going to take this away and stare at it for an eternity.”
The actor received much applause for his portrayal of the chief’s recovery from a stroke.
Celebrations: It comes as the long-running soap prepares to celebrate its incredible 50th anniversary later this month
Emmerdale is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a one-hour special on Sunday, October 16.
Marking half a century to the day since its first episode aired in 1972, the soap will air a rare weekend episode featuring the biggest stunt in history as the village is ravaged by a deadly storm.
In celebration of the news, Emmerdale bosses released a new photo of the soap’s massive cast on Thursday as a slew of characters prepare to take center stage in the anniversary scenes.
As Emmerdale prepares to celebrate 50 years on screen, fans have been given a taste of the scenes to unfold, surrounding an unexpected storm that hits the village, putting many lives on the line.