Two births, two weddings and a death: Emmerdale celebrates 40th anniversary with live episode

Carl King played by Tom Lister and Chastity Dingle played by Lucy Pargeter Credit: ITV

Celebrating 40 years on British screens Emmerdale Farm (as it was when it was first broadcast) has success fully made it through its first live broadcast.

As if the drama of a live episode was not enough the episode featured two deaths, two marriages and a death of Carl King.

Tom Lister who plays Carl King has spoken about "the last few hours in the village" on the Emmerdale website.

The bad boy of the Dales suffered a blow to the head at the hands of his love rival Cameron Murray (Dominic Power) - but a death was not the only big event to happen in the hour-long episode.

Declan Macey played by Jason Merrells and Katie Sugden played by Sammy Windwood at their wedding reception Credit: ITV

Viewers watched live as Chas Dingle's (Lucy Pargeter) wedded bliss to Dan Spencer (Liam Fox) lasted no more than the first 30 minutes, while Katie Sugden (Sammy Winward) enjoyed a marquee reception with new husband Declan Macey (Jason Merrells).

Debbie Dingle played by Charley Webb with her baby Credit: ITV

Elsewhere, Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) gave birth to the baby boy she hopes will save her daughter Sarah's life after she developed leukaemia.

Joining Debbie in her labour pains was Gennie Walker (Sian Reese-Williams) who gave birth to a baby girl on the floor at Chas and Dan's wedding reception.

Gennie Walker played by Sian Reese-Williams and Nikhil Sharma played by Rik Makarem with their baby Credit: ITV

With the emotions of weddings and babies running high, the episode culminated in the shocking death of Carl which show bosses say will have have "major, far-reaching repercussions".

The villages prepares for the live episode Credit: ITV

In an attempt to make the live episode's births and weddings go as smoothly as possible, there were four newborn babies and seven wedding dresses on set, while 27 cameras captured the drama as it unfolded.

In the end the drama paid off with Emmerdale tweeting the following:

If you missed the action live you can watch again on ITV Player.