Emmerdale fans were hit with an emotional wave this week as former star Charley Webb opened up about her time in the Dales, admitting that no matter

where her career takes her next, “my best friends are there.” The 37-year-old actress, who became a household name playing Debbie Dingle for nearly two decades,

reflected candidly on her formative years in the ITV drama — and the lasting bonds that continue to shape her life long after her 2021 departure.

Nearly 2,000 Episodes and a Lifetime of Memories

Webb first stepped into Debbie Dingle’s shoes as a teenager, embarking on a journey that would span almost 2,000 episodes. Over the years, viewers watched Debbie grow from a rebellious young girl into a fiercely protective mother and complex businesswoman. Through heartbreak, betrayal, family feuds, and redemption arcs, Debbie became one of the soap’s most layered characters.

For Webb, those years were more than just a job — they were her coming-of-age story.

“That period of my life is always going to be so special to me,” she shared. “It was such a huge amount of time and in such formative years.”

The actress described the set as more than a workplace. It was, she insists, genuinely a family. While the phrase is often casually thrown around in the television industry, Webb emphasized that in this case, it rings entirely true.

“It was always such a fun place to work. It is like a family. I know everyone always says that, but it is. I’m still so, so close to so many of them.”

Her words carry particular weight given Debbie’s absence during several pivotal Dingle family storylines. Fans were especially vocal when the character did not return for the death of patriarch Zak Dingle or during Cain Dingle’s recent health battle. For long-time viewers, Debbie’s absence during such seismic family moments felt deeply noticeable.

Yet Webb’s emotional ties to the cast reveal that, behind the scenes, those connections remain unbroken.

Bonds That Outlast the Script

One of the most touching revelations from Webb’s update was just how intertwined her real life remains with her former co-stars. She revealed that she still lives close to several cast members and sees them frequently.

Her connection to Emma Atkins — who plays Charity Dingle — goes far beyond television. Webb is godmother to Atkins’ son, and their children share an especially close friendship.

“Emma has a little boy who is my godson,” Webb explained. “He’s best friends with my middle one. He’s like a brother to all the kids. They are so close.”

It’s a poignant reminder that while storylines may shift and characters may exit, the human relationships formed on long-running productions often endure for life.

For viewers who grew up watching Debbie and Charity’s fiery, complicated mother-daughter dynamic, knowing that the actresses remain deeply connected off-screen adds an extra emotional layer to the show’s legacy.

Life After the Dales

Since stepping away from the Yorkshire soap in 2021, Webb has steadily carved out a new path. Rather than rushing into another long-term television role, she has embraced variety — something she admits feels both liberating and creatively invigorating.

“I think I’ve been really lucky with the jobs that I’ve had since leaving,” she said. “I’ve continuously worked and I feel very blessed.”

Her post-soap career has included appearances in television dramas and a notable turn on stage in Quiz, the theatrical adaptation inspired by the infamous Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? scandal. The transition from soap to stage has allowed Webb to explore different storytelling rhythms and historical settings far removed from the rolling hills of the Dales.

Now, she is preparing to return to the theatre in a major new production that marks another bold leap forward.

A Powerful New Chapter on Stage

Webb is set to star in the world premiere stage adaptation of The Ladies Football Club, written by Stefano Massini. The production will run at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from late February through March, placing Webb at the heart of a sweeping historical drama.

Set during the First World War, the story follows women who step into factory roles manufacturing munitions while the men fight on the front lines. During lunch breaks, they begin playing football — and soon discover that their talents stretch far beyond the factory floor.

The narrative charts their rise to performing before crowds of more than 50,000 spectators, only to face the looming societal forces that threaten to silence their newfound independence.

Webb will portray Abigail, a character navigating friendship, resilience, and the fight for recognition in a world reshaped by war.

The themes of empowerment and solidarity echo strongly with Webb’s own reflections on community and connection — both in her time at Emmerdale and in her current life.

“It is nice to have the chance to do things which are so different,” she noted, describing the early 1900s setting as a refreshing creative challenge.

Will Debbie Ever Return?

Though Webb has not confirmed any immediate plans to reprise Debbie Dingle, her affection for the show is unmistakable. Five years on from her exit, her words suggest that while she is thriving creatively elsewhere, the door to the Dales is not emotionally closed.

For fans, that lingering possibility is enough to keep hope alive.

Debbie Dingle remains one of Emmerdale’s most enduring characters — flawed, fierce, and unforgettable. And as Webb continues to evolve as a performer, the emotional foundation she built during those nearly 2,000 episodes remains central to her identity.

In an industry often defined by reinvention, Webb’s story is one of gratitude rather than detachment. She is moving forward — onto new stages, into new eras, and toward new creative risks — while still holding tightly to the friendships that shaped her.

For viewers who watched her grow up on screen, that authenticity is perhaps the most touching revelation of all.

No matter how far her career travels, the heart of the Dales still beats strongly in Charley Webb’s story.