Seasons & episodes

After more than two years, Jack Sugden returns to Emmerdale Farm but he is not the only visitor as Joe's wife, Christine, also pays a visit - letting herself into Hawthorn Cottage. Jack is surprised to find The Woolpack has relocated premises and is greeted by Annie, Amos and Henry.

Joe has doubts about Christine's intentions when he arrives to find her at Hawthorn Cottage. They have a big talk about their marriage. Jack receives a letter from his publishers. They want to know when he will tell them ideas on his next book.

Matt takes Rosemary for a drive through the village. They see Christine at the graves of Sally and Sam. Annie finds herself involved in Joe's decision about the future of his marriage. Christine tells her there is no hope for her and Joe. Jack meets Christine for the first time.

When a letter arrives from Rome, doubts grow concerning Jack's reason for returning to Emmerdale Farm. Jack reads the letter, then screws it up.

A misunderstanding puts more strain on the already shaky reunion between Joe and Christine. Rosemary plans to return to Middlesborough. Amos sees Nan cycling down past The Woolpack. Amos says that she is nursing her cousin Bella who has been ill for the past year.

Joe makes a decision concerning his marriage but he is not completely sure it is the right one and Christine decides to leave Beckindale for good, leaving Joe standing on the moors. Rosemary decides to leave Beckindale and return to her mother. She shares a kiss with Joe before leaving.

Christine has left, but for Joe problems are far from over. He talks his anger out on Matt. Tad is struggling to cope with his dying wife Bella. Jack visits, Tad when Nan comes downstairs to have a word in private with Tad. Bella has taken a turn for the worse and has to go to hospital. Amos and Henry are having lunch in The Woolpack when Amos suggests that Tad is having an affair with Nan while Bella is dying. Henry is very annoyed, as his late wife Margaret needed a carer when she was dying. Henry says he would have swung for anyone who suggested the things Amos had bene hinting at. He storms out round to Emmerdale where he is actually a bit sorry that he had a go at Amos.

So far, Jack's return home has not turned out as he hoped, but the situation is about to change. Nan delivers some sad news to Tad about Bella.

At Emmerdale Farm, the family's troubles continue, but they seem to have brought a new understanding between Annie's two sons.

Joe is determined to resolve problems concerning his marriage but Christine's father threatens to complicate matters.

Christine's father means to find Joe but the meeting at Hawthorn Cottage is not as he expects.

Jack says he is leaving again tomorrow, so gets ready to say goodbye again, but not before putting several matters right. A disgruntled Robert tries to track down Joe. Jack tells Robert to not have it out with Joe during his evening here at The Woolpack. He asks him to save it for tomorrow so that they can have an enjoyable night. Jack tells Amos that he likes the new Woolpack premises and that it is better than the old Woolpack. Amos says that he is taking to this place as well and that it has developed a good atmosphere. He thanks Jack for his kind words. The following morning, Jack gets into a taxi and leaves for the airport. The others all wave him off. As Jack leaves, Robert pulls up in his car.

Annie and Joe are stunned by Robert's proposed settlement for his daughter's divorce. Robert says that Christine is entitled to half of Joe's share in Emmerdale Farm. Robert gives Joe the name of his lawyer. When Henry is told, he is also worried about his share in Emmerdale. Henry knows that Robert's lawyer is known to cut corners. Henry plans to travel to Bradford to do legal research. Henry confronts Robert and says he will do whatever it takes to protect his investment in Emmerdale.

Robert gets more than he bargained for when Henry offers to help Annie. Henry comes back from Bradford having done legal research. He tells Robert that if his daughter Christine is entitled to half of Joe's share in Emmerdale Farm, then Joe is also entitled to half of Christine's share in Robert's dairy farm, and her share is quite a lot. As Christine is more well off than Joe, Henry says that Joe can sue for maintenance on Christine's share. Henry suggests no claims on either side be made. Robert agrees to the deal, and while he is not pleased that his plan has backfired, he then quietly leaves the pub, and Joe is finally free from the Sharp's forever. Amos decides to sell the old Woolpack, while Henry agrees to use the old airing cupboard as a new toilet room.