Carrie Nicholls: Her role in Tom King’s murder, her many secrets and where actress Linda Lusardi is now
National treasure Linda Lusardi played Carrie for a year
Carrie Nicholls arrives in Classic Emmerdale next week when she shows up to Tom King’s funeral. The King brothers are bemused by the mystery mourner and don’t know who she is.
And when her identity is revealed, it’s a real shock!
It turns out Carrie was a nurse who cared for the brothers’ mum – Tom’s wife Mary – when she was dying. She and Tom had an affair. And that wasn’t the only shock!
Because Carrie also has a teenage daughter, Scarlett, who is Tom’s child.
Carrie is played by national treasure Linda Lusardi, whose arrival in Emmerdale caused almost as much of a stir as her alter-ego’s! So we thought it was time for a quick recap on everything about Carrie and her daughter Scarlett.
Carrie Nicholls arrives in Emmerdale
Carrie was the glamorous former nurse who showed up at Tom King’s funeral and set tongues wagging in the village.
When the will was being read, Carrie appeared again. The Kings weren’t very happy to see her, and they really weren’t happy when the will was read. Because it revealed that they had a sister! Carrie’s daughter, Scarlett.
Tom had left a quarter of Home Farm and 10 per cent of King and Sons to Scarlett.
The brothers were bemused. Matthew was furious and tried to buy Scarlett’s shares in the company. Carl revealed he’d lost his virginity to Carrie when he was only 16 (urgh!) and Jimmy tried to get to know his sister.
Scarlett wanted to get to know the brothers, too. She and Carrie moved into the village which annoyed Matthew too because they bought Mill Cottage and he’d planned to buy it!
Carrie became a director of King and Sons, in case the brothers went to prison for their dad’s murder. She actually proved a smart businesswoman and even helped the Kings to loosen Rosemary’s hold on the company.
Carrie’s daughter Lexi
When Lexi came to the village, she told everyone she was Carrie’s sister. It actually turned out she was Carrie’s daughter – she’d had Lexi when she was just 14.
By this time Carrie had developed feelings for Jimmy, but he didn’t share them. Shortly afterwards, she caught up with her ex boyfriend Nick Barrie. He offered her a job in Canada and Carrie accepted.
Scarlett stayed in the village being cared for by Lexi and Jimmy, until she too emigrated. She returned briefly after Carl’s murder in 2012.
Lexi married Carl though later he admitted he’d only married her because she knew he was the one who murdered his father!
Linda Lusardi played Carrie Nicholls in Emmerdale
Carrie was played by former glamour model, TV presenter and all-round national treasure Linda Lusardi. She had already moved into acting and had starred in Brookside and The Bill before she landed her part on Emmerdale.
Linda has also appeared on Dancing on Ice and on Come Dine With Me, as well as making regular appearances on Loose Women, and starring in pantomimes every year.
She is married to her former Emmerdale co-star Sam Kane. He played Carrie’s ex-boyfriend Nick Barrie in the show.
Linda has two children with Sam – Lucy and Jack. They are both musicians, and Jack is also an actor. What a talented bunch!
Linda’s Coronavirus battle
In 2020, Linda, then 61, almost died after contracted COVID-19. She was rushed to hospital after experiencing chest pains and struggling to breathe. Husband Sam was also taken in at the same time.
She told Good Morning Britain after her recovery there was a point she prayed she wouldn’t wake up as she felt so unwell.
“It was absolutely horrendous,” Linda admitted. “I thank god I was one of the lucky ones.”
When she was taken to hospital, Linda has zero oxygen in her blood and her vomit was blue. She was put on a drip and oxygen, but the doctors advised husband Sam there were no guarantees she would make it due to her age.
Fortunately, Linda pulled through and although it took her some months to fully recovery, signed up to do the Full Monty on Ice later in 2020.
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.
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