A LEGENDARY Emmerdale character made a shocking appearance today – eight years after dying on screen.
The scenes are available to watch now in the first look streaming episode on ITVX and will air on ITV tonight at 7.30pm.
The addict – who is played by actress Sophie Powles in the ITV soap – was last seen in September 2016.
She died suddenly and unexpectedly after overdosing with mum Moira finding her and being left utterly devastated.
The hard-hitting storyline has had long-term consequences for Moira as she struggled for years with the loss of Holly.
And today’s episode reunited her with her beloved daughter.
Viewers watched as Moira underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour that was giving her seizures and causing her to act out.
But as the operation went on, Moira suffered a seizure leaving doctors struggling to save her life.
And while under Moira saw her daughter at the farm where her youngest boys were playing.
As she walked outside into the bright sunshine to watch them play, Holly appeared beside her laughing.
“Holly?” said a disbelieving Moira as she was overcome with emotion at seeing her daughter again.
“I’m better now,” said Holly as she encouraged Moira to tell her about everything.
“I never meant to leave you. I messed up. But we can make up for it, we’ve got time now.”
Moira sobbed as she told Holly about how she missed her, and about the tree she planted in her memory.
But as Holly encouraged Moira to come with her, Moira could hear the surgeons battling to save her life.
Holly told her that the boys had Cain and she could come with her but Moira insisted on staying.
Moira Barton’s biggest Emmerdale storylines
Played by Natalie J. Robb, Moira has become one of Emmerdale’s most prominent characters since her debut in 2009.
AFFAIR WITH CAIN DINGLE
In October 2011, Moira began an affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), whom she had previously loathed.
At the time, she was married to first husband and childhood sweetheart John (James Thornton).
JOHN’S DEATH
In the characters’ backstory, John and Moira had been married since 1990. They shared three children: Adam, Hannah (now Matty) and Holly.
While John struggled to forgive Moira’s infidelity, he also realised he couldn’t live without her.
Ultimately, the character of John was written out by having a car accident and fatal cardiac arrest.
Afterwards, Moira and Cain began a relationship and later married.
ADAM’S PATERNITY
It transpired that Cain was not the first man that Moira had an affair with.
She previously slept with John’s brother James (Bill Ward) – with the revelation that he is her son Adam’s biological father.
MURDER OF EMMA BARTON
James’ estranged wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) was introduced as a soap villain, reuniting with her clan after two decades.
In October 2017, Emma was killed off in a who-dunnit storyline after being pushed off a viaduct.
She reappeared one last time in December 2017 for a flashback, where her killer was revealed to be archenemy Moira.
“Don’t let go Holly, no, I need more time with you, I need more time… Holly,” Moira cried as she was woken up from her sedation.
“I need Holly back,” said Moira as Cain arrived to see her. But how will she cope when she realises Holly is gone again?
