Emmerdale fans have been left speechless after spotting Emily Head in a crime drama

Emmerdale fans have been left floored after spotting Rebecca White star Emily Head in a crime drama.

Rebecca first arrived in the Dales back in 2016, where she was introduced as the daughter of the late Lawrence White (John Bowe), half-sister of Chrissie White (Louise Marwood), and the aunt of serial killer, Lachlan White (Tom Atkinson).

She notably had an affair with her sister’s ex-husband, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), with Rebecca falling pregnant shortly after.

Robert was quickly identified as the father of the unborn baby, but he wanted nothing to do with the child. Rebecca and Robert’s son, Seb, was eventually born in November 2017.

Rebecca and her boyfriend, Ross Barton (Michael Parr), moved to Liverpool with Seb in 2019 for a fresh start away from the village.

Ross returned to the Dales in October 2024, with Rebecca’s off-screen death being revealed shortly afterwards.

Ross was looking after Seb when Rebecca had to undergo a routine operation, but she unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest and died suddenly.

Seb was eventually sent to live with Rebecca’s aunt in Bristol as Ross had no legal custody over him.

Following Robert’s recent return to the village to try and win his ex-husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) back, several soap fans believe that Seb could return to the village, six years after last being seen on screen.

Now, eight months on from Rebecca’s off-screen death, viewers were left shocked after spotting actor Emily on British crime drama Whitstable Pearl.

The series, which is currently available to stream on Acorn TV, first aired in 2021, with the third season premiering in October 2024.

It revolves around ex-police officer Pearl Nolan (Kerry Godliman) who, together with her mum, runs Whitstable Pearl, a seafood restaurant in the coastal town of Whitstable.

When a friend dies under suspicious circumstances, Pearl finds herself in conflict with the new police officer in town, DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles).

Emily appeared in show’s second season as Kat Bergman, who was Mike’s “outgoing and sunny” new girlfriend.

After watching a recent rerun of the series, Emmerdale fans quickly shared their surprise at Emily’s recurring role.

“We’ve seen Alicia Metcalfe’s actress playing on Corrie recently and I was watching Whitstable Pearl and Rebecca White (Emily Head) popped up,” one person wrote on Reddit.

Another added: “Omg what a throwback, can’t believe they killed Rebecca off,” while a third said: “Rebecca was one of my favourite characters at the time. Was devastated they just killed her off-screen.”

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: “Would love for her to return with Seb, I know Ross mentioned she had died but it could easily be written around,” with another sharing: “I will always see her as Carly from The Inbetweeners.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX