Emmerdale fans go WILD as star hints return to filming with this MAKEOVER

Emmerdale
(Image credit: ITV)

Emmerdale fans are loving James Hooton's latest look...

Emmerdale fans thought their prayers had been answered when actor James Hooton unveiled a familiar look on Twitter recently.

The Emmerdale star, who is better known to soap fans as Sam Dingle, unveiled his 'new' look after growing his hair out while being on a break from filming recently.

Emmerdale, Lydia Hart, Sam Dingle

James usually sports a shaved head as Emmerdale's Sam Dingle (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

Viewers will know that Emmerdale has been forced to close down filming due to the current coronavirus pandemic, meaning actors have been forced to take time off.

But fans were given some hope that filming might be resumed soon when James shaved his longer locks that he'd grown during lockdown.

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Emmerdale fans will know that character Sam Dingle sports a closely-shaved head, and James's haircut left them hoping that it might mean the actor was preparing to get back to the ITV studio.

Sadly, it wasn't the case though, and despite there being some hope that filming will resume in the not too distant future with social distancing measures in place, the red light is still in place for now.

Fans who messaged their hope that filming was back on were left disappointed when James replied to their messages telling them he simply needed a Sam Dingle-style hair cut, and that he wouldn't be back to filming just yet.

Emmerdale

Fans are hoping it won't be long before filming at Emmerdale is back on track (Pictures: ITV)

Fans thought he looked great though, and commented on his picture. One messaged: "Very handsome indeed!"

While others were happy that he was back to. looking more like his on screen alter ego... "Welcome back, Sam!" replied one. While another commented: "Sam's back!"

Emmerdale will temporarily air a reduced schedule of three episodes a week. Watch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.