Edna Birch is the sharp-tongued, hat-wearing Emmerdale villager who became a fan favourite
Edna was prickly but everyone loved her!Edna Birch lived in Emmerdale for 15 years, rubbing just about everyone up the wrong way, ruffling feathers, making blunt comments and bringing a lot of drama – and humour – with her.
Plus there was her devotion to her dogs Tootsie and Batley.
Despite (or maybe because of!) her sharp-tongue, Edna was a firm fan favourite.
Here’s the lowdown on her time in the village.
Edna Birch v Ashley Thomas
Edna had lived in the Emmerdale village for many years when she first appeared on screen, clashing with vicar Ashley Thomas over his choice of girlfriend! Edna didn’t approve of Ashley getting together with barmaid Bernice Blackstock and she made her feelings VERY clear.
In fact, Edna made her feelings about all sorts of things very clear! Len Reynolds fell for her, but she told him she didn’t feel the same, only to be extremely disgruntled when he started spending time with Pearl Ladderbanks instead.
But then when Pearl’s son turned out to be a convicted rapist, Edna defended her friend to the rest of the village.
In fact, she became firm friends with Pearl, Len, Sandy and Betty.
So she wasn’t all bad!
Edna’s family
Edna’s granddaughter Eve came to the village to live with her grandmother. Eve was trouble! She was involved in a hit-and-run accident, that killed her teacher. Eve’s boyfriend Marc Reynolds took the blame and Eve managed to convince her blinkered grandmother that he was the bad influence.
But when Edna’s friend Betty spotted Eve kicking Edna’s dog Batley, Edna finally realised the truth about her granddaughter. She threw her out and sent her to live with her dad Peter in France.
Edna and Lily
A few years later, Edna went to Eve’s wedding blessing and met Peter and her estranged sister, Lily.
It turned out that Lily was Peter’s real mum. Edna had brought him up as her own. When Edna’s friend Tom King found out the truth he used it to blackmail poor Mrs Birch into keeping his secrets about the show home explosion. It ended the pair’s friendship and led Edna to reveal the truth to Peter – which didn’t go well.
But Edna and Lily, who were polar opposites, did mend their relationship and Lily stayed in the village for a while (causing trouble!).
Eve returned to the village later. Though she hadn’t changed her ways! She had an affair with Carl King causing his fiancee Chas Dingle to jilt him at the altar and humiliate Eve into the bargain! Much to Edna’s disgust.
Edna and her dogs
When Tootsie got ill, devoted Edna spent all her money on the mutt’s medical bills.
In fact, she spent so much on her dog that Jimmy eventually found her unconscious, having been unable to afford food or heating.
Though she was reluctant at first, Edna got help from her friends in the village.
Edna’s husband and Lawrence White
Edna was a widow. But she was hiding a secret about her husband Harold. She confided in Aaron Dingle that Harold had been gay – at a time when it was still illegal – and had married her as a convenience to hide his sexuality.
She told Aaron that Harold had a lover called Lawrence White. Edna had reported the couple to the police, Lawrence had been arrested and she believed he had killed himself in prison. Edna’s friend Sandy Thomas tried to find Lawrence’s grave to give her closure but wasn’t able – because Lawrence was still alive!
He visited Edna and the pair made peace, though she wasn’t overly happy when he moved to the village.
Edna’s death
Edna went to stay with her sister Lily in Bournemouth, hiding the fact that she’d been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
But Ashley got a call from a hospital telling him Edna’s condition had worsened. He and Laurel went to visit and returned with Tootsie, bringing the sad news that Edna had died.
Tootsie went to live with Harriet Finch, who did Edna’s funeral ceremony.
Edna’s hat
Edna had a distinctive appearance, with her round hat and buttoned-up coat.
She wore her hat because actress Shirley Stelfox, who played Edna, had long blonde hair that the Emmerdale bosses thought didn’t suit Edna’s character!
In the 15 years Edna was on screen in Emmerdale, she only appeared without her hat a couple of times.
The most famous time was when she was in hospital after being run over by Sam Dingle.
For a while some of the Emmerdale cast members including Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy, Tom Lister (AKA Carl King) and Sian Reese-Williams (Gennie Walker) had a band, which was called Edna’s Hat!
Top TV shows and films also filmed in Liverpool
Numerous popular shows have been filmed in the metropolis. Recent productions filmed or set in the city include:
The Responder on BBC One. The gritty police drama was set and shot in Liverpool. Fans praised Martin Freeman for his authentic Scouse accent. It aired for two series between 2022 and 2024.
This City Is Ours. The 2025 BBC crime drama put Liverpool centre stage. Series 2 is coming in 2026, and continues to follow organised crime member Michael on his battle to the top.
The Irregulars. Netflix's 2021 supernatural crime drama was set in Victorian London, but actually filmed in Liverpool. The series followed a gang of troubled street teens who are manipulated into solving crimes for the sinister Doctor Watson and his mysterious business partner, the elusive Sherlock Holmes.
Peaky Blinders. The first four series of the gangster family epic set in 1900s England were filmed in Liverpool. Of course, fans know the BBC series kicked off in 2013 and centred on Tommy Shelby, and his gang of criminal misfits. The series used locations like Stanley Dock and Powys Street for 1920s Birmingham.
The Crown. Believe it or not, season 3 of the Netflix period drama in 2019 used Liverpool to double for Washington D.C.
Bread. Anyone over 40 should remember the classic 80s sitcom set in Liverpool. It followed the working-class family the Boswells. It ran on the Beeb from 1986 to 1991.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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