Samantha Giles made it known earlier this year that she will shortly be departing Emmerdale. Although the actress has been playing Bernice Blackstock since 1998, she has sometimes left the programme to work on other projects.
In 2021, she returned to the town while playing a figure who tried in vain to prevent Liam (Jonny McPherson) from being married to Leyla (Roxy Shahidi).
This year, Bernice and Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) have joined forces to co-own the Grange B&B. Although the company’s debut seemed to be a success, Bernice and Bob have since been concerned about their lack of customers.
Dame Judi Dench and Jane McDonald’s guest rooms are often unoccupied, and the restaurant is having trouble drawing in customers. It’s obvious that the company will fail if something isn’t done to turn things around.
Although Bernice is very organised and full of enthusiasm, her vision for the kind of B&B she wishes to manage is not quite feasible. This was noticed very early on when she brought in a harpist to perform at the company’s opening. Emmerdale isn’t exactly a town where harp music is appreciated; Kim Tate (Claire King) even says she likes Neil Diamond.
Instead of changing her thoughts about the sort of customer the company may best serve, Bernice has focused on furnishing the rooms with pricey, high-end candles and other accessories.
Although it is obvious that they cannot afford this expenditure given their limited income, Bernice is holding out hope that it would eventually pay off and the Grange will become known as a boutique hotel.
However, in upcoming episodes, Bernice seems to have finally understood that she’s in serious danger as her actions grow suspicious and reticent, and she makes a number of unexplained phone calls.
Bernice seems to be departing the show shortly, since Samantha Giles has already committed to portray the Wicked Stepmother in Bradford Alhambra’s holiday version of Cinderella, starring Strictly and GBBO’s John Whaite.
But by the time she leaves, what condition will the B&B be in?
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