Isabel Hodgins has hit an enormous professional milestone, celebrating twenty years of playing Victoria Sugden in Emmerdale.
Off-screen, Isabel has also had a lot to celebrate recently, after marrying her partner Adam Whitehead, shortly before giving birth to their beautiful baby girl, Georgie, while documenting her journey as a new mum on social media.
Taking to Instagram, Isabel uploaded a carousel of images showing her portraying Victoria over the last two decades.
’20 years ago today, I walked into Emmerdale to film my very first scene,’ she began the caption.
‘I had no idea what the next two decades would bring, but I’m so grateful for every memory, every opportunity and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way.
’20 years… how did that happen?’
Danny Miller, who plays Isabel’s on-screen brother in law, Aaron Dingle playfully commented: ‘You’ve been off for 9 months, so it’s 19 years and 3 months’.
In a more serious message, he said: ‘In seriousness. I have learned from you on and off screen. You inspire me everyday and I love you to pieces. Now hurry up home’
Adam Thomas, who played Victoria’s ex-husband, Adam Barton said: ‘Wow !!!! Congrats that’s a huge achievement… what an icon! X love you x 20 years!!! Happy I got to share some of those years with you x’
Isabel replied: ‘Stop it! You will always be Victoria’s favourite husband… I’ll never forgive you for getting in that shipping container!’
Eden Taylor-Draper who plays Belle Dingle commented: ‘Awwww I love you’, while Kerry Wyatt actress Laura Norton said: ‘What a bloody milestone. Honoured to share the stage with you. She loves a hair re vamp doesn’t she. Love you forever Victoria Hodgins.’
Fans were as quick to flood Isabel’s comments with supportive messages as her co-stars: @emma_twin said: ‘Well done @isabelhodgins, that’s amazing!! How do you basically still look the same age as when you joined.’
@jennykelly86 said: ‘Sorry to just pop in here.. but iv got some serious questions, Q1 : how can it be 20 years if you are only 20?
Q2:Are you aging backwards?!?’ and @norfolknerd added: ‘We’re so grateful to have you on the show and can’t wait to see you back on our screens soon.’
@catherinexx12 said: ‘Congratulations on this milestone it’s absolutely amazing!! Here’s to another 20 of the amazing Victoria Sugden’, @martinlogan27 added: ‘Congratulations @isabelhodgins looking forward to having you back in the Dales’ while @_bespoketraveller said: “No wayy… what a milestone, HUGE congrats.’
Isabel previously excited Emmerdale fans by sharing a picture of her heading to the stage door at the show’s studios, having previously visited the set with her husband and daughter
Sharing a montage of clips with her walking her baby around the various iconic locations of Emmerdale village, Isabel captioned the post: ‘Yesterday was special.
‘For the first time, I got to show Georgie (and Adam) around the village that’s been such a huge part of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to call this place work since I was 12 years old, so sharing it with my little family meant so much.
‘GG’s verdict? She’d quite happily move in’
Victoria’s Emmerdale exit saw her flee to Portugal in the aftermath of her killing her murder brother, John (Oliver Farnworth).
When Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) uncovered her guilt, he used it to blackmail Victoria’s brother, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) into helping him destroy Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) in a bid to claim her farmland.
Drowning in guilt and the chaos of village life, Victoria headed off for a new start, but it’s looking likely that we’ll see her back in the Yorkshire Dales sooner rather than later!
