Emmerdale fans have been captivated by Amelia Flanagan’s portrayal of April Windsor. The young actress has delivered some of the soap’s most intense storylines, earning praise from viewers and critics alike.
April Windsor’s Tumultuous Year
April Windsor, daughter of the late Donna Windsor and Marlon Dingle, has experienced a whirlwind of events in Emmerdale. Over Christmas, she went missing, leading to a special episode that revealed the harrowing experiences she endured over six weeks.
During this period, April learned she was pregnant, and the emotional weight of this revelation—alongside discovering the circumstances surrounding her mother Donna’s death—prompted her to flee to Leeds. There, she witnessed her friend get stabbed and later gave birth to a stillborn baby in a gym toilet, in a storyline that left viewers heartbroken.
More recently, April reconnected with Dylan Penders, a teen she met while living on the streets. Dylan has been involved in dodgy dealings with Ray Walters but wants to turn his life around. In recent scenes, April became concerned when she saw Dylan getting into a stranger’s car. She warned Marlon and Paddy, fearing he was returning to dangerous activities, including sex work—though in reality, Dylan was involved in other jobs for Ray.
How Old Is April in Emmerdale?
April was born off-screen during Donna’s years away from the village, between 2009 and 2014. Her birthday is said to be 13 August 2009, making her 16 years old in the show. She is Marlon’s daughter and Rhona Goskirk’s stepdaughter, navigating the complexities of family life while facing extraordinary challenges.
Amelia Flanagan: The Actress Behind April
Amelia Flanagan has played April since her first on-screen appearance on 19 March 2014. Born on 6 June 2008, Amelia is slightly older than her character at 17 years old. She began the role at the age of five, and her performance has grown remarkably over the years.
Amelia has already won three awards at the Inside Soap Awards and The British Soap Awards. Her recent portrayal of April has cemented her reputation as one of the brightest young talents in British soap.
Speaking about how she landed the role, Amelia told OK!:
“The director asked me if I could dress up as any character in the world, who would it be? I think everyone else said ‘a princess,’ but I said ‘a banana,’ and I think that’s why I was chosen for the role. Within six months, April was wearing a banana costume in Emmerdale!”
Amelia comes from a talented family. She is the older sibling of Isabella and William Flanagan, who are both actors in Coronation Street. Isabella plays Hope Dobbs, having taken over from twins Faith and Nicole Holt in 2017. Her twin brother William plays Joseph Brown, the estranged son of Chesney Winter-Brown, first appearing in October 2017.
At the 2022 Inside Soap Awards, both Amelia and Isabella were nominated for Best Young Performer. Isabella emerged victorious, bringing home the award, while Amelia continues to impress audiences with her gripping performances in Emmerdale.
A Rising Star
Amelia Flanagan’s journey from a five-year-old in a banana costume to a multi-award-winning teen actress is inspiring. Her portrayal of April Windsor has not only captivated audiences but also tackled serious issues with maturity beyond her years.
As Emmerdale continues to explore dramatic storylines, Amelia’s performances promise to keep viewers enthralled. With her talent and her siblings also thriving in the soap world, the Flanagans are certainly a family to watch in British television.
