OPINION: The evolution of Charity Dingle in Emmerdale

Charity Dingle is one of the most complex and multi-layered characters in Emmerdale. But she didn’t start out that way. In fact, there was a...
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

Charity Dingle is one of the most complex and multi-layered characters in Emmerdale. But she didn’t start out that way. In fact, there was a time when Charity only had two things on her mind – men and money. Those things are still important, but over the years Charity has shown moments of incredible strength and vulnerability. Let’s take a look back at her journey and discover how Charity evolved into the person she is today.

Charity Dingle in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
Charity Dingle in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)

Ruthless Charity in Emmerdale

It was March 2000 when Charity first set foot in the village. The character was introduced as a selfish schemer whose main interest was securing herself a rich man. She managed to achieve that ambition by jumping into bed with Home Farm owner, Chris Tate.

Living it up as lady of the manor suited Charity down to the ground and she loved the wealth and power it brought. She was careless with people’s feelings. By having an affair with her on-off lover Cain, Charity proved she could have her cake and eat it.

In her second and third marriages to Jai Sharma and Declan Macey, Charity carried on down a similar ruthless path. But she hit an all time low when she framed her cousin Sam for an arson attack on Home Farm, and forced his girlfriend Rachel Breckle out of the village. The Dingles were disgusted and it took a long time for Charity to rejoin the circle of trust.

Charity’s walls break down

But then there came a shock revelation about Charity’s past that could finally explain her immoral actions. She’d been the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of corrupt copper DI Mark Bails. He had raped Charity, which resulted in her falling pregnant with son Ryan.

Charity bravely faced her demons, took Bails to court and won. At last, fans could see a real human under the tough exterior, one who’d survived the darkest of times.

She also showed her more tender, romantic side when she fell madly in love with vet Vanessa Woodfield. At last it seemed Charity had found her soulmate, and although their romance didn’t work out, it definitely taught her some important lessons.

Back to present day and Charity is certainly a calmer, happier version of herself. No longer is she the super bitch everyone loves to hate. Fans have genuine affection for the Woolie’s landlady and are in her corner, all the way.