<P> By 1993 Emmerdale was beginning its third decade on the air . In December of that year, one particular episode emerged as a major turning point for the show's history . Meant to evoke memories of the Lockerbie Disaster whose fifth anniversary was just nine days prior, the Emmerdale episode written for 30 December attracted its highest - ever audience (over 18 million) by featuring a plane crashing into the village, killing four people . According to Nick Smurthwaite, the episode brought forth not just ratings but "complaints from aghast viewers ." Nevertheless, the episode proved to be "brilliant television", as the highly - rated episode "allowed the writers to get rid of much dead wood, and reinvent the soap virtually from scratch", which included survivors changing the village name from Beckindale to Emmerdale . </P> <P> Emmerdale had dramatic storylines for the rest of the 1990s and new long - term characters, such as the Dingle family, were introduced . The Tates became the soap's leading family during the decade, overshadowing the Sugdens and remaining at Home Farm for 16 years . Family members left or died and the last, Zoe, left in 2005 . The early and mid-2000s included episodes with a storm (a similar, less - major storyline 10 years after the plane crash), a bus crash, the Kings River explosion, Sarah Sugden's death in a barn fire and the Sugden house fire (set in 2007 by Victoria Sugden, who was seeking the truth about her mother's death). It also saw the introduction of major long - term characters, including the King family and Cain and Charity Dingle (who left before returning in 2009). </P> <P> In 2009 the longest - tenured character, Jack Sugden, was killed off after the death of actor Clive Hornby (who had played Jack since 1980). Jack's funeral featured the first on - screen appearance in 13 years of Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier). Early that year, executive producer Keith Richardson was replaced by former series producer Steve November (later replaced by John Whiston). Gavin Blyth became the series producer, followed by Stuart Blackburn after his death . </P> <P> Emmerdale celebrated its 40th anniversary on 16 October 2012 . On 1 May 2012, it was announced that the show would have its first - ever live episode . On 25 June 2012, it was announced that Tony Prescott, who directed the 50th anniversary live episode of Coronation Street in December 2010 would direct the episode . On 23 July it was reported that an ITV2 backstage show, Emmerdale Uncovered: Live, would be broadcast after the live episode . On 14 August, it was announced that the production team was building a new Woolpack set for the live episode . Although Emmerdale's village and interior sets are miles apart, its producers wanted The Woolpack to feature in the live episode . On 31 August, it was announced that Emmerdale had created and filmed a live music festival with performances by Scouting for Girls and The Proclaimers . On 6 September, it was confirmed that the One - hour live episode would include an unexpected death, two weddings and two births . </P>

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