Emmerdale star Karen Blick’s co-stars recently threw her an early birthday party – and fans can’t believe her real age.

The Lydia Dingle actress was joined by a number of stars from the

ITV soap as they celebrated her 50th birthday at a local restaurant.

Fans are stunned by Karen’s real age (Picture: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Taking to Instagram, Mandy Dingle star Lisa Riley shared a picture of a jolly-looking Karen, wishing her a happy ‘pre-50th 50th birthday’.

‘What a gorg night…..we all love ya to pieces,’ she added, alongside the photo.

The actress received many wonderful celebratory messages from fans and co-stars including Samantha Giles, who played Bernice Blackstock.

‘Awwww happy birthday to one of the loveliest people I know! Have a wonderful celebration,’ Samantha wrote.

Alongside their birthday well wishes, fans couldn’t help but express their shock at Karen’s real age.

‘Cannot believe you’re 50 don’t look anywhere near 50,’ one said.

’50 – never! Happy birthday,’ another penned, while a third wrote: ‘No way is she 50 but Happy Birthday Karen Blick’.

Dingle actors James Hooton, William Ash, Mark Charnock, Emma Atkins, Katie Hill, Jack Downham, Bradley Johnson, Sam Hall and Eden Taylor-Draper all joined Lisa and Karen to celebrate her milestone birthday.

It has been a busy year on the ITV soap for Karen, who’s character Lydia has been at the centre of some big storylines.

Viewers have seen her relationship with Sam Dingle (James Hooton) be tested as a result of Samson Dingle’s (Sam Hall) behaviour, after he wrongly accused Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) of stabbing him and having him sent to prison.

Lydia also recently confided in Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) in the hopes of getting through to her about what abusive Tom King (James Chase) was really like.

Now, fans are speculating that Lydia’s words may have got through to Amelia, and she may be set to bring him down. Are they right?