Emmerdale’s James Hooton stuns fans with his real accent, action-packed hobbies, and a special Coronation Street crossover

30 Years of Sam Dingle—and Still Going Strong

Emmerdale recently celebrated three decades of the Dingle family, a legacy that began in 1994 and continues to captivate viewers to this day. Among the standout characters is Sam Dingle, played by James Hooton, who first stepped into the role back in January 1995.

In the years since, Sam has become a village mainstay. His storylines have ranged from heartbreaking tragedy—like the death of his wife Alice Dingle—to action-packed chaos, including the infamous cow stampede during the show’s 50th anniversary.

Currently, Sam is happily married to Lydia Dingle, and though his son Samson left the village in 2024, the Dingle legacy continues through granddaughter Esther, born in 2022.

From Heartbeat to the Dales

Before his long-running Emmerdale role, James Hooton appeared in several UK dramas, including Heartbeat, The Bill, and Peak Practice. This year marked a personal milestone, as James proudly posted on Instagram:

“Today marks my 30th anniversary on Emmerdale! Jan 10th 1995 was my first scene in Esholt village with Zak and Butch.”

In a 2024 appearance on Loose Women, he assured fans that he has no plans to leave:

“As long as they’ll have me, I’ll stay there!”

Wait—That’s Not His Real Voice?

For many fans, discovering that James Hooton doesn’t actually speak like Sam Dingle was a shock. Born in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, James uses a Yorkshire accent for his character. But off-screen, his real voice sounds very different.

When behind-the-scenes clips emerged on Emmerdale’s social media, fans were stunned:

“It’s so weird to hear him speak out of character!”
“That accent never fails to surprise me!”

Even Loose Women host Coleen Nolan was caught off guard:

“Oh, he’s not really him!” she laughed during a recent interview.

Corriedale Crossover: Sam Meets Kirk

In an exciting soap-first event, James Hooton is part of the upcoming Emmerdale–Coronation Street crossover, dubbed “Corriedale.” He filmed a scene with Corrie’s Kirk Sutherland (played by Andy Whyment), and their quirky dynamic is already creating buzz.

Only one of four filmed crossover scenes will make it to air—and the public gets to vote. James shared a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram, writing:

“Billed ‘the meeting of two brain cells,’ our scene was a lighthearted clash of lovable fools. I hope it makes the final cut!”

Fans were thrilled by the idea of Sam and Kirk sharing the screen—and Peanut the dog even made an appearance.

Life Off-Camera: Family, Fitness, and Rock Climbing

When the cameras stop rolling, James Hooton enjoys a quiet but active life with his partner Nancy Lucas and their two daughters, Ava-Rose and Lily. Outside of acting, James is a dedicated rock climber, a passion that keeps him physically fit and mentally grounded.

At 52, his athleticism is often admired by fans, with many surprised to learn about his action hero–like hobbies off-screen.

Will Sam’s Story Grow in 2026?

With Samson gone, a crossover vote underway, and James’s status as one of Emmerdale’s longest-running stars, the future looks promising for Sam Dingle. Whether he’s climbing cliffs or cracking jokes with Kirk, fans are falling in love with both the character—and the man behind him—all over again.