Emmerdale star Charley Webb has landed a new theatre role away from the soap. The actor, who played Debbie Dingle for almost two decades, was last seen in the Dales four years ago. In 2019, her character set off for a fresh start in Scotland before a brief return that ended in early 2021.
Last year, Emmerdale revealed that Debbie had since emigrated to Australia after secretly marrying her partner Chris. The update came as an explanation for why Debbie was absent amid her daughter Sarah Sugden’s health issues, with Webb unlikely to reprise her role any time soon.
In real life, Webb has gone on to appear in a number of TV crime dramas since her exit including Better, The Long Shadow, McDonald & Dodds, and Ellis. Now, the star will be appearing in the theatre production of The Ladies Football Club, written by Stefano Massini.
Set against the backdrop of World War One, the play follows the rise of women’s football in Sheffield. As more women entered the workforce to fill the labour shortages, they began to discover their own passion for the game.
According to Leeds Live, Webb will appear as Abigail, alongside Gentleman Jack’s Jessica Baglow, former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and Downton Abbey’s Cara Theobold.
ITV
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Krupa Pattani from Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Shetland’s Lesley Hart and former EastEnders actor Clair Norris will also star.
The show will take place at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, running from 28 February until 28 March.
ITV
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“The cast and creatives coming together for The Ladies Football Club bring extraordinary imagination, rigour, and heart to a story that demands to be seen and heard now,” said Webb.
“It honours the courage and collective spirit at the root of the history of women’s football, while pushing boldly into the present.
“The Ladies Football Club does not simply celebrate an important moment in history – it reclaims it. I am so excited to create this piece of storytelling with such a great team of people.”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
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