Emmerdale’s most bizarre spin-offs – from chart-topping songs to fashion ranges and even recipes

OVER the years, Emmerdale has brought us some incredibly dramatic storylines.

But the show has been responsible for multiple spin-off items, too – including a top-five song in the UK music charts, fashion ranges and even recipes.

Many television programmes have released merchandise throughout the years, from puzzles of Coronation Street to a board game of the BBC sitcom Bread – but Emmerdale is one soap leading the pack.

The Yorkshire-based soap celebrated its 49th anniversary on Saturday, October 16 and, during its eventful time on air, it has produced some weird and wonderful spin-offs – including Hillybilly Rock, Hillybilly Roll by the Woolpackers.

Here, we take a look back at some of the soap’s spin-off items – from line dancing albums to Woolpack-inspired cookbooks.

Hillbilly Rock, Hillbilly Roll – The Woolpackers

Back in the early 90s when a line-dancing craze swept the nation, Emmerdale decided to join in on the fun with their first-ever country song.

Hillbilly Rock, Hillbilly Roll was released in November 1996 and proved so popular that it reached number five in the UK music charts – staying there for over 15 weeks.

Sang by characters Vic Windsor, Zak Dingle and Terry Woods as a group, The Woolpackers, the country number was even recently featured on the Now Music album Now 100 Hits Forgotten 90s.

Fans who love a bit of nostalgia even delighted in the return of the song in 2019, when it was remade for a performance at Zak and Lisa Dingle’s wedding, featuring Bob Hope as the lead singer.

Line dancing CD

The love for line dancing didn’t stop there, either, as Emmerdale looked set to follow up the success of Hillbilly Rock, Hillbilly Roll.

The Woolpackers were back with their follow up album Line Dance Party, though it wasn’t as successful as their first album.

Line Dance Party still charted at number 48 on November 29, 1997, and even produced a top 40 single of the same name.

The Emmerdale Farm Knitting Book

If you ever fancied having an Emmerdale inspired piece of clothing, then the Emmerdale Farm Knitting patterns book was all you needed to help you craft that perfect item.

Released in 1989, it featured over 23 different Emmerdale inspired knitting patterns including fair isle jumpers, hats and tops.

If that wasn’t all, pictures of the knitted designs were also modelled by some of your favourite Emmerdale characters from the 80s.

Alan Turner’s Emmerdale Cookbook

Even Woolpack owner Alan Turner got his own piece of Emmerdale merchandise with Alan Turner’s Emmerdale Cookbook.

Released in 1995, it featured over 190 Emmerdale inspired recipes, promising the reader the chance to “sample the flavours of the countryside.”

It also offered readers a sneak peek into the lives of their favourite Emmerdale characters.

That wasn’t all, though, as in 1999, the Emmerdale Farm Cookbook was released, featuring recipes presented by Marlon Dingle and Zak Dingle’s family favourites – all cooked from the heart of the Sugden kitchen.