Former Emmerdale star Charley Webb has opened up about her time on the ITV soap amid calls for her to return as Debbie Dingle. Webb played Debbie, the daughter of Cain and Charity Dingle, from 2002 to 2021, but recent events have led fans to clamour for her return to the village.

Speaking to Yorkshire Live, Webb spoke about the show in depth for the first time in a while, describing her time on Emmerdale as “so special” and adding that her castmates were like “family”.

“That period of my life is always going to be so special to me,” the actor said.

She continued: “It was such a huge amount of time and in such formative years, if you like. A lot of my best friends are there – 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. It was just like going to work with so many of your friends.”

Webb added that she was still close to many of the cast, including Charity Dingle actor Emma Atkins, whose son is her godchild.

Earlier this month, Webb responded to an Instagram post from the soap’s official account, which shared a video of an emotional scene between Cain and Debbie’s daughter, Sarah Sugden.

In the scene, Cain confided in his granddaughter that he had prostate cancer as they stood by the grave of his father, Zak.

After Webb commented on the post, saying “My 2 babies”, fans took to the comments, calling for her to return as Cain and Sarah need her.

Webb didn’t respond to any of the comments, but since leaving the soap, she’s stayed busy and will soon be seen on stage in The Ladies Football Club.

The play, which follows the rise of a women’s football team during the First World War, will run from Saturday, 28 February until Saturday, 28 March at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.