Emmerdale’s Eric and Val Pollard are renewing their wedding vows.
The estranged soap couple are set to rekindle their romance next week when Eric takes part in a charity skydive to prove to his estranged wife how much she means to him following his one night stand with her sister, Diane.
Touched by his grand gesture and bravery after jumping out of a plane to raise money for HIV awareness, Val – who was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year – secretly books a church service to surprise her devoted husband.
Chris Chittell, who plays Eric, explained: "All of a sudden, Val realises that Eric is skydiving for her and her cause. Eric is not daft, really, because he knows that it’s very, very important to Val that everyone knows of the HIV situation and how far it has gone since yesteryear.
"When Eric finds out about the vow renewal, he is totally flummoxed. His head must be scrambled and his heart must be racing, but he doesn’t know what to expect. I don’t think he expects what actually transpires, which I do believe is quite powerful."
The scenes, which will air at the start of June, could be the start of good fortune for the ITV soap favourites, following a disastrous few months.
Quizzed whether the trouble is over, Chris replied: "Who knows? I would like to think for a little while at least, they are rapturously in love once more!"
Eric and Val Pollard to renew wedding vows
