Diane Sugden (Liz Estensen)

Diane Sugden

Diane - no-nonsense, fair but firm.

Diane is the mother of Bernice Blackstock and owns the Woolpack pub. Until 2009, she and younger sister Val, co-owned the pub.

As Woolpack landlady she looked after her staff and often acted as a sounding board to the punters but Diane has been unlucky in love and has had difficult marriages to Rodney Blackstock and Jack Sugden.

In 2004, Diane battled colon cancer and got the all clear early 2005.

Diane was devastated in February 2009 when her beloved husband Jack died. Jack, who had been staying with family in Spain, had been ill for some time and hadn't wanted to tell her. Her only comfort was a letter he'd written before his death, letting her know how much he loved her.

Her last relationship looked like she would finally get the happy ending she deserved as she was about to start a new life in France with Charlie Haynes when he disappeared with all her money.

Diane has had to rely on her sister Val and friend/admirer Doug as she has rebuilt her life. And woe betide Charlie if he shows up again...

Liz Estensen

Elizabeth Estensen made a name for herself in Willy Russell's Beatles-inspired musical, John, Paul, George, Ringo and ... Bert, in Liverpool in the 1970s.

It is for her role in the TV series The Liver Birds, playing Carol Boswell from 1975 to 1979 that she is most recognised for.

She was probably best known by children in the 1980s as the villainess T-Bag in the Wonders In Letterland series. The actress assumed as T-Bag's sister when she left the series, Georgina Hale, had a small role in Emmerdale in 2006, as Beryl Chugspoke.

Elizabeth had a role in Coronation Street as Pam Middleton from 1996-1998, before crossing over to the dales in 1999 to play Diane.