Emmerdale pays tribute to two characters with Jacob and Sarah’s baby name
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Emmerdale paid a touching tribute to two characters as the name of Jacob and Sarah Sugden’s baby was revealed in tonight’s episode. The latest instalment began with the young couple talking about the ordeal everyone has been through with the baby’s birth, and how Dr Todd — as much of a bully as she is — came through for them, with Jacob begrudgingly noting that she’s excellent in a crisis.
At the encouragement of one of the staff, Sarah brought the baby in for a feed. At first, she wasn’t sure she had provided enough, but she was told that the baby only has a stomach the size of a marble so it was okay.
The couple brought the baby into Charity’s hospital room, letting her hold the newborn and telling that they’ll “never forget” how she went “above and beyond” for them.
They then revealed that the baby’s name… Leyla Charity Sugden.
The middle name is a tribute to what Charity did for them, while her first name is paying respect to Jacob’s late mum, who died in the limo crash at the start of 2025.
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It all got a bit emotional for Jacob, who had to leave the room. Kerry Wyatt followed and comforted him, telling him that his mum would have been so proud of him.
Unfortunately, the happy mood is under threat, as Dr Todd’s heroic rescue hadn’t caused a change of heart.
She tried to use her actions to get Jacob to retract his statement, but he claimed that her reaction was exactly why he’d continue to fight and push through his complaint — for the sake of all the staff who had quit their jobs due to her.
Wounded, Todd learned from the medical records that baby Leyla wasn’t the result of a surrogate, but actually from Ross and Charity sleeping together. How soon will she use that information to get what she wants?
Emmerdale spoilers have disclosed what Jacob and Sarah Sugden have chosen to call their child.
As viewers will recall, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) agreed to act as surrogate for Sarah (Katie Hill) and Jacob’s (Joe-Warren Plant) baby last year. However, around the same period, she fell pregnant following a one-night stand with former flame Ross Barton (Mike Parr).
Charity chose to conceal the truth so that Sarah could have the baby. And this week, events took a dramatic twist when Charity went into labour on the day of Sarah’s baby shower.
Despite reaching the hospital, Charity then became trapped in a lift with both Mack and Ross. And later this week, Charity faces a life-threatening situation following the birth of the baby, after Ross spots a growing pool of blood on the floor.
However, Emmerdale spoilers have disclosed that Sarah and Jacob are able to bring their baby home next week – and they have named her after a soap legend, reports the Daily Star.
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They bring the baby back next week (Image: ITV)
In Monday’s episode (April 27), Sarah and Jacob are overwhelmed with becoming Leyla’s official parents, meaning they have named her after Jacob’s late mum, Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), who perished in the limo crash last year.
That afternoon, Jacob and Sarah welcomed baby Leyla home. The following day, Jacob and Sarah enjoy time with Leyla when Ross and Mackenzie (Lawrence Robb) turn up with a gift from Moses. Ross appears awkward and hesitant to hold the baby, but Jacob insists on inviting him and Moses to their family gathering later. Fans will remember that Leyla was written out of the show in February last year following a fatal car crash. Throughout her time on the soap, she was central to numerous harrowing and emotionally charged storylines.
The newborn is named after Jacob’s mum (Image: ITV)
These included her marriage to local GP Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) and the heartbreak of losing his young daughter, who was murdered by Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu).
Speaking previously about her emotions upon departing the long-running soap after more than 16 years, Leyla actress Roxy said: “I’m adjusting. I think it’s equally terrifying and really exciting.
You know when you’re like, stood on the edge of a cliff, and you’re like, oh my god, it’s so exciting. But equally, you’re out of that bubble, you’re out of that comfort zone. And there are also elements that you miss. You miss your friends, you miss your routine, you miss the character.”
Charity books a scan behind Sarah and Jacob’s back in Emmerdale spoilers upcoming to avoid the couple rumbling her pregnancy lie. Chas accompanies her to the appointment, but Charity is caught out when Jacob spies her at the hospital. Will he suspect she’s hiding something?
Charity is keeping up pretenses in Emmerdale spoilers
Charity’s worst fears were recently realised when a DNA test revealed the baby she’s carrying belongs to her and Ross. The news sent Charity spiraling, as she broke down on Chas and admitted everything. Chas insisted her cousin needed to tell her family the truth, but the thought of breaking Sarah and Jacob’s hearts was too much for Charity to bear. She also knew if Mack found out about the baby then it would be the end of her marriage.
In turmoil, Charity arranged to have a secret abortion. But she couldn’t go through with it, and against her better judgement, Charity has decided to continue with the pregnancy, much to the horror of the fans. Sarah and co are none the wiser – but for how much longer?
Next week, the strain of the situation is taking its toll on Charity. With her 12-week scan set for the following day, Charity panics that the sonographer will be able to tell the baby isn’t the implanted embryo. Chas only exacerbates her worries and as Charity returns home to Sarah and Jacob discussing babies looking like their dads she ends up snapping at them.
Guilt-ridden, Charity immediately apologises. But will the couple twig something is wrong?
Charity arranges a secret baby scan
Unable to risk of her secret getting outed during the ultrasound, Charity decides Sarah can’t come with her.
She spins her granddaughter a lie, saying the hospital have cancelled the appointment. Poor Sarah is gutted, but suspicious Chas can tell Charity isn’t telling the truth.
Confronting her cousin in the back room of The Woolpack, Chas gets Charity to admit what’s really going on. She confesses her paranoia of the sonographer discovering the foetus inside her wasn’t the one that was implanted.
Chas can see what a state Charity is in and agrees to accompany her to the hospital. The pair face an anxious wait, as Charity continues to fret over the truth getting out.
Jacob catches Charity out in Emmerdale spoilers
Soon the scan gets underway and there’s relief all round when the sonographer fails to detect anything on the scan.
But Chas fears what’s to come when she sees Charity staring lovingly at her unborn baby on the screen.
Afterwards, Charity is relieved to have gotten away with it all. But then disaster strikes as Jacob spies her from the other end of the hospital corridor.
What cover story will Charity be forced to come up with? And will Jacob buy it? Or is her web of lies starting to unravel?