Emmerdale: 50 Unforgettable Years

ITV, today, 6pm

On October 16, 1972, a gentle rural soap was born. Back then, it was known as Emmerdale Farm, the village it was set in was called Beckindale and it was broadcast at lunchtime.

The series, designed to last just 16 weeks, was created by Kevin Laffan. Since 1977, Emmerdale has had a prime-time slot, and it hasn’t looked back.This programme looks back at some of the show’s most memorable moments and hears from cast and crew.