Emmerdale laying Sugden to rest

Clive Hornby was Emmerdale's longest-serving cast member

Emmerdale will run a special episode to bid farewell to Jack Sugden, played for 28 years by actor Clive Hornby who died earlier this year.

Shown on the anniversary of his last appearance, the episode will be set at the long-running character's funeral.

The edition, to be shown in February, will see the return of Sheila Mercier - now 89 - as Jack's mother Annie.

Hornby died in July at the age of 63, several months after taking a break from the show because of ill health.

Sugden's absence from Emmerdale was explained by a long-term visit to his mother who lives in Spain.

Karl Davies, who played Jack's son Robert, will also return for the episode.

'Special tribute'

Davies said: "I was lucky enough to work with Clive over a number of years and he was the kindest, funniest man you could've wished to meet.

"I'm sure the show he loved will pay a fitting tribute to a genuinely wonderful person. I'm glad to be a part of it. He will be missed."

Actress Mercier, who appeared in the first episode of the Yorkshire-based serial, added: "It will be a pleasure to return for this special tribute episode to Clive.

"I'm sure it will be a fitting way to celebrate the life and memory of one of Emmerdale's dearest characters."

Hornby was the second actor to play Jack, taking up the role in 1980.

Speaking last year to the Daily Mirror about his early days in the show, Hornby said: "It really was about farming then - I'd milk the cows, drive the combine harvester, plough fields.

"On my first day on location, we had to deliver a calf.

"I wish there could be more of that stuff because we've got this lovely backdrop we don't use as much."

The actor noted that he still wore the same flat cap he was given on his first day.