Over the years, many fan favourite characters have departed Emmerdale. Just this year alone, we’ve said goodbye to several following the devastating limo crash.

Like any soap, people come and go, but the absence of some characters is felt far more than others.

While we’re happy to see the back of certain villagers, here are the ones we think should never have left Emmerdale.

Nicky Miligan

He arrived in the Dales around the same time as his father, Caleb Miligan. But the two initially kept their connection a secret as they plotted to bring down Kim Tate.

As part of the plot, Nicky seduced Gabby. But he soon got cold feet over the relationship and admitted that he was gay.

A mere few months after his mum Ruby’s arrival in the Dales, Nicky headed off with boyfriend Suni. But given the massive role the Fox-Miligan family have played during the last several months of Emmerdale, it feels a shame that Nicky hasn’t been there as part of the family dynamic.

Nicky has not shared any screen time with his sister Steph, and has been absent through all the Anthony stuff, meaning we missed out on seeing the family altogether.

Robert Sugden

This is a popular choice as fans regularly beg for Robert to be brought back and for Robron to be reunited.

Robert left the Dales after being sentenced to 14 years in jail for murder after he attacked his sister’s rapist, Lee.

His husband Aaron was distraught at the sentencing, and there was more heartbreak when Robert was moved to a prison on the Isle of Wight.

Aaron has now moved on with creepy John, but we all know that Robert is his soulmate, so why did Emmerdale have to tear them apart?

Pete Barton

Before Ross Barton returned, he’d have been on this list too. But given we now have him back in the village, perhaps Pete could be next.

Pete left Emmerdale in 2020 to follow his brother Ross to Liverpool.

Despite leaving to be with his brother, Pete and Ross shared a big rivalry – especially when it came to Debbie Dingle.

The two brothers also brought a good comedy dynamic to the soap and it’s a shame that either had to leave in the first place.

More characters who never should have left Emmerdale

Faith Dingle

The mum of Cain, Caleb and Chas, Faith was a complex character. Upon her return in 2017, she didn’t receive the best reception from Chas, but Caleb was more accommodating.

Faith did eventually make amends with her family, but sadly died from terminal cancer in son Cain’s arms in 2022.

While Faith obviously can’t return, we can’t help but think that perhaps it was a mistake letting her go in the first place.

Faith was brilliant at stealing a scene. Not to mention, it would have been good to see how she’d have interacted with Caleb and the rest of the Miligan family, who annoyingly arrived after her departure.

Gerry Roberts

This is a leftfield one as Gerry wasn’t a major character, but he was an interesting one.

Gerry was Lachlan’s cellmate at the young offenders institute, but he soon made a move to the Dales.

Fans often cite Gerry as offering some much needed light relief to Emmerdale. But the fun ended when Lachlan decided he didn’t want him around any more. Lachlan caused the roof of the Grange to collapse. But when that didn’t kill Gerry, Lachlan bashed him with a rock.

While the character of Gerry might not have had longevity, we feel he could have stayed in the show longer than he did.

Emmerdale characters who shouldn’t have left: Brenda Walker

The most recent addition to the list is Brenda Walker. Having been in the soap for 17 years, Brenda had become part of the Emmerdale family.

Her exit saw her head off on a cruise that she won in a magazine competition. Though the cruise is only for three months, Brenda’s exit is permanent, leading fans to speculate about how she’ll be written out for good.

But we want to know why she had to go at all, what harm was she doing?

Brenda and Pollard also had a good partnership and she’d have been a big support as he continues to deal with his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Liv Flaherty

She was the half-sister of Aaron Dingle and the wife of Vinny Dingle. Liv and Vinny married in 2022 after eloping and becoming husband and wife in front of two strangers.

Their marriage was short-lived though as Liv died as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebrations later that year. During Storm Week, Liv was crushed by a caravan. Aaron and Vinny said emotional goodbyes to Liv before she sadly passed away.

Vinny and Liv were a cute couple and he now finds himself with Gabby – which, let’s be honest, is a match with zero chemistry.

Another reason it was disappointing to see Liv go was the portrayal of epilepsy her character brought to the soap. Fans pointed out how rare it is to see authentic epilepsy representation which shows the genuine struggles (not just the seizures) and were sad to see her character go.