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Colin Baker to join 'Emmerdale' as Diane Sugden's mystery man

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·2-min read
Colin Baker plays Michael in Emmerdale (ITV)
Colin Baker plays Michael in Emmerdale (ITV)

Emmerdale has announced a star signing with Doctor Who star Colin Baker set to make a cameo as a date for Diane Sudden.

The 78-year-old actor, best known for his role as the sixth incarnation of the Doctor, will arrive in the village later this month playing mystery man Michael.

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When Diane (Elizabeth Estensen) arranges a date at The Woolpack, she's looking forward to meeting someone new.

But she is entirely unprepared for her date's unusual passion - what is it, and will she be impressed or disappointed by Michael?

Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor, runs from the Daleks during a photocall to launch the 2013 York Maze which this year celebrates 50 years of the television series Doctor Who. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images)
Colin Baker is best known for 'Doctor Who'. (Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images)

Baker said of his new Emmerdale role: "I am so old that I remember watching Emmerdale Farm long before it became just Emmerdale when my friend (and colleague from Doctor Who days) Frazer Hines was a youthful Joe Sugden and the wonderful Arthur Pentelow was in the cast.

"So to get a call to join the cast, albeit briefly, as a possible love interest for Elizabeth Estenson, an actress I had long admired, certainly appealed to me.

"A bonus was the fact that also in my scenes was Rodney Blackstock, played by my old friend Patrick Mower."

FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO Print media - No Use Before Tuesday 20th July 2021 Online Media - No Use Before Tuesday 20th July 2021 Emmerdale - Ep 9110 Tuesday 27th July 2021 Diane Sugden [ELIZABETH ESTENSEN] wants revenge for Jamie Tate [ALEXANDER LINCOLN] cruelty towards Gabby and she throws his belongings out of the B&B. Picture contact David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Diane Sugden will date Michael at The Woolpack. (ITV)

Baker, who didn't say how many episodes he would be in the village for, teased: "I enjoyed my COVID-compliant time with both of them in Leeds inordinately. As to what happened, well you'll just have to watch and find out. It's a bit of a puzzle actually!"

This might be the first time Baker has appeared in Emmerdale, but he isn't a complete stranger to soap land.

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Back in 2000 he played a judge for one episode in Hollyoaks, and over the years he has popped up in Doctors a few times as a range of different characters.

Hollyoaks is set to welcome Jamelia as a guest star this month as part of their Black to Front episode, where she will play a friend of Martine Devereux (Kelle Bryan).

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