DIANE’S DOING A RUNNER!

Emmerdale legend Diane is leaving – but will she take Gabby with her? We ask actress Elizabeth Estensen

Emmerdale matriarch Diane leaves the Dales this week and helps her pregnant granddaughter Gabby get ready to join her and escape Kim’s clutches.

The former Woolpack landlady is dreaming of a new life in Portugal, and when Pollard offers to buy Diane’s share of the B&B, she looks all set for a quick getaway.

With Kim looking likely to increase her meddling in Gabby’s life following the birth of her grandchild — conceived during a brief fling with Kim’s son, Jamie — Gabby’s planning to join Diane in a secret flit. However, if Kim gets wind of their scheme, she’ll do her best to stop Gabby leaving.

‘Diane wants a fresh start,’ explains Elizabeth Estensen, who plays her and is leaving the show. ‘And Pollard buying her share of the B&B will give her a clean break. As her sister Val’s son is in Portugal, and he’s got a bar she can work in, Diane is going there to reinvent herself

‘But she’s worried about Gabby being dominated by Kim after the baby’s born. Diane feels protective, so she and Gabby have planned a getaway, which they’re keeping quiet about for obvious reasons!’

It all results in a gripping series of episodes in which Gabby goes into labour (see Jaci Stephen’s column, left). But whatever happens to Gabby, the storyline marks the end of a 22-year stint on Emmerdale for Diane, whose 17 years at The Woolpack made her the pub’s longest-serving landlady.

Elizabeth says she’ll miss her character. ‘What I love about Diane is that she’s positive, dependable, has so much optimism, and is always supporting others. It was great being in The Woolpack as I got to see everyone and feel at the centre of everything. I called them my, “What can I get you? days”, and very much enjoyed them. And with all that practice I’ve learnt how to pull a good pint!’

She’s clearly enjoyed her time on the show. ‘I’ve done some extraordinary stories and worked with such fabulous people’, says Elizabeth, 72. ‘For years I shared a dressing room with Shirley Stelfox, Charlotte Bellamy and Paula Tilbrook [Edna Birch, Laurel Thomas and Betty Eagleton]. We had very happy days with so much laughter and joy.

‘I’ll miss Emmerdale enormously, but the time has come now for me to go.’