Emmerdale favourites James Hooton and Karen Blick, who play Sam and Lydia Dingle on the ITV soap, told The Mirror their hopes for future plots amid recent exits

One Emmerdale favourite confessed his fears about being axed from the ITV soap after more than two decades in the role.

The star confessed he hoped to stay on the show for years to come, grateful for his job in the Dales. Sam Dingle actor James Hooton admitted his only hope for the coming weeks and months is to “not be axed”, with his co-star Karen Blick adding she too hoped to go nowhere.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards 2025, James and co-star Karen teased what was ahead and spoke about the soap’s big twists. They also gave us their verdict on the big Nate Robinson murder twist, killer John and the return of Robert Sugden.

But with characters having left the show in recent months, with some cast members axed and others quitting the soap, the Lydia and Sam stars revealed they were going nowhere if it’s their choice. They told us how they hoped to stay in their roles and “not be axed”, following departures including Leyla Harding, Suzy Merton, Amy Wyatt, Amelia Spencer and Nate.

We asked James what he was hoping for coming up on the show, to which he replied: “To not get axed!” Karen then added: “That we are still there, that’ll be lovely.

READ MORE: Emmerdale Robert Sugden and Ross Barton twist could spark another return

“It’s a great job. I love working together [with James], it’s an absolute joy to be in the Dingles, it’s a great family. There’s no joy better than being in The Woolpack with all the Dingles or being in the village on a lovely sunny day. It’s joyous.”

James added: “Even in the winter, you still have a good laugh.” Karen responded: “It’s a joy of a job.” Karen is also hoping for more scenes between Lydia and Kim Tate, after they created a friendship onscreen and offscreen.

She said: “I love them together, and I love working with Claire King. She’s fantastic and I’ve learned so much from her. We have a cup of tea and we put the world to rights. She’s a soap icon and it’s a pleasure to work with her.”

With there being so many soap twists recently, from murder and returns to exits and storyline bombshells, the pair hinted to us that there could be more big moments on the way. Karen said: “There is always a twist, there’s always something which is what keeps you guessing.

“It keeps you viewing because you want to know what’s round the corner and what’s the next thing. The crossover sounds so exciting, I’d love to be involved. Me and James said that.”

James shared of his hopes: “Sam and Lydia in Roy’s Rolls,” to which Karen said: “I’d love that, and maybe a scene with Mary. Lydia and Mary having a lovely conversation.” James went on: “Wouldn’t it be nice but we have no power, so can you make it happen?”

We also discussed Robert’s return and the possible Robron reunion, with Karen referencing John Sugden being married to Aaron Dingle and saying: “It’s tricky, it’s not straightforward.”

As for Nate’s killer, the pair joked it could be an animal behind it just like when rapist Craig was murdered by a horse, Ice. Karen said: “Maybe a horse did it, or a cow,” with James joking: “What if it was a stray wombat over from Australia.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .