
Jack Sugden in 1986.
He left the village in February 2008 to look after his mother Annie in Spain after she fell ill. His final appearance was 21st February 2008, 35 years spanning his first and final appearance. He died of a heart attack offscreen on the 5th February 2009.
Two actors played Jack, Andrew Burt from 1972-1973 and 1976 and Clive Hornby from 1980 to 2008.
Biography
John Jacob Sugden | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | |
Father | |
Mother | |
Siblings | |
Spouse |
Lyn Wallace (?-1972), Pat Merrick (1982-19860, Sarah Connolly (1994-2000), Diane Lambert (2004-2009) |
Children |
Jackie Merrick (1964), Robert Sugden (1986), Victoria Sugden (1994) :- Andy Sugden (Adoptive) |
Occupation |
Farm Labourer, (1962-1964), Writer (1964-1979), Farmer (1980-2008) |
Duration | |
Played by |
Backstory
Jack Sugden was born John Jacob Sugden on the 28th November 1947 at Emmerdale Farm in Beckindale, the eldest child of Jacob Sugden and Annie Sugden nee Pearson, whose father was Sam Pearson. Jack and Ruth Harker, a village girl were childhood sweethearts and often played together in the old mill. Jack left school in 1963 and started work on the farm. In February 1964 he had a fling with Ruth, leaving her pregnant. The same time Jack had a row with his father Jacob over intensive farming. Due to this Jack left home and moved 200 miles down south to London where he became an author. Ruth Harker married Tom Merrick in April 1964 shortly after Jack's departure.
In November 1964 Ruth gave birth to a son John Jacob "Jackie" Merrick. Ruth had told Tom the baby was premature to make him think he was his. Sometime in the mid to late 1960s Jack Sugden met Lynne Wallace. Shortly afterwards, he wrote and published his best seller The Field Of Tares. Although, during his 8 years in London, Jack did occasionally visit Beckindale but never told any of his family and friends during visits. In October 1972 he was notified of his father Jacob Sugden's death. Jack was also told that his father had bequeathed Emmerdale Farm to Jack in his will. This encouraged Jack to return to Beckindale to the funeral on the 16th October.
1972-1973
On the 16th October 1972 Jack returned to Beckindale for the day of his fathers funeral. He watched the funeral from
Jack Sugden in 1976. Photo courtesy of emmerdale.org
1976
In late March this year Jack returned to Beckindale briefly as he had writers block. He was saddened to hear that his old
Jack Sugden with Amos in 1976 in the Woolpack.
1980-1982

Jack Sugden in 1980 with Matt and Dolly. Photo courtesy of Beckindale Bugle. http://www.beckindale.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Jack Sugden in 2007, his last full year in Emmerdale.
In late 1981 Tom and Pat divorced. Jack later proposed to Pat. Another shock came in store for Jack in early 1982 when the truth was revealed about the paternity of Jackie Merrick. Jack was indeed Jackie's father and had been avoiding the truth for 18 years.
Jackie disowned his father and Tom Merrick disowned Jackie. Jackie went off the rails. Jack and Tom had a fight in the car park over the situation and Tom soon left the area after getting a job offer on the oil rigs. Jack started becoming lazy at the farm and taking his anger out on everyone. However by the spring him and Pat became closer again. They started making wedding plans. In October 1982, Jack Sugden and Pat Merrick married at Hotten Register Office. She became the new housewife at Emmerdale Farm. Jack did not take seriously the fact his son Jackie got sacked from NY Estates that November.
1983-1988
Jack becomes a dad again in 1986.
In 1987 Jack was heavily involved in the protest against the proposed nuclear dump on Pencross Fell. He even spent 7 days in prison by breaching a restraining order to stay away from the fell to prove a point that the villagers would not back down. In September, the government plans to build a dump were abandoned and peace was resumed.
Jack saw his son Jackie Merrick get married in February 1988 to Kathy Bates. He briefly dated a woman called Barbara. Soon after, Jack met local librarian Sarah Connolly. Again, this was another brief romance as they broke up in April 1988. Jack clashed with lumberjack Steve Fuller over the felling of trees on Home Farm land. In August 1988, Marian Rosetti turned up again in Beckindale and offered Jack a chance to join her. Jack did consider and he did say "Beckindale is hardly The Garden Of Eden as I have sometimes cursed this village, its weather and some of its people". Jack decided to go and join her in Italy and said a fond farewell to his friends and family.
1989-1993

Jack looks at the dead sheep after the plane crash.
In December 1991, Jack's past came back to haunt him even if he was on the right side of the law at the time. Jim Latimer was released from prison after 18 years for the murder of Sharon Crossthwaite in 1973. Jack had given evidence against Latimer back then. Latimer wanted revenge on Jack. Latimer kidnapped Sarah Connolly. She was later found safe. Jack attacked Latimer but was restrained and Latimer was sent back to jail, this time for good.
In 1992, Annie begun dating Leonard Kempinski. Jack and Joe treated Leonard quite badly as they thought he was after their mums money. Amos Brearly said Leonard was a wealthy tax exile. In October 1993, Leonard became Jack and Joe's stepfather when he married Annie.

Jack with Diane in 2007.
1994-2008

Jack in 2008.
Jack soon strated dating Diane Blackstock. In May 2004 he was accidentally shot by Andy. Jack and Diane got married.
In February 2008, Jack left Emmerdale to look after his sick mother and never returned. Annie soon recovered but Jack remained in Spain for a while longer. By early 2009 he was in bad health and died on the 5th February aged 61 of a heart attack. His body was bought back and buried in Emmerdale cemetery. Jack's mother Annie returned for the funeral.
First Appearance Episode 1 (16th October 1972)
Final Appearance Episode 4919 (21st February 2008)
Legacy
Since he died Jack Sugden has been mentioned numerous times, especially by his widow Diane Sugden and adopted son Andy Sugden and daughter Victoria Sugden.
In October 2012, his adopted son Andy Sugden and Debbie Dingle had a baby boy together in order to help save their daughter Sarah Sugden. They named the boy Jack Sugden.
In November 2014, Lawrence White borrowed a copy of Jack's book The Field Of Tares. He told his future son in law Robert that he is reading the book written by his late father.
In October 2016, Robert once said that in 2001 when he was 15 that Jack caught him in bed with a male farmhand and then sacked him and beat Robert up for being gay. This is at odds with the 2001 storylines and Jack's character. The events may have took place offscreen.
Memorable Info
Birthday: 28th November 1947
Died: 5th February 2009 (Aged 61)
Full Name: John Jacob Sugden
In the episode dated 17 October 2002, Jack referred to when his dad died and how he came back to the village. He said a few episodes before it was 30 years since his dad died.
In about 2003 he said to Andy when he was his age (16 or 17) he had done more than he did and was writing a book. The refs to the shows past are good.
- According to Sarah, Jack hates skiing. A fact he immediately confirms (19th December 1991, episode 1619)
Family
Father Jacob Sugden
Mother Annie Sugden
Siblings Joe Sugden, Peggy Skilbeck
Grandfathers Joseph Sugden, Sam Pearson
Grandmothers Margaret Sugden, Grace Pearson
Great Grandfathers Mr Sugden, Mrs Pearson
Great Great Grandfathers Joshua Sugden
Spouses Pat Sugden (1982-1986), Sarah Connolly (1994-2000), Diane Blackstock (2004-2009)
Children Jackie Merrick (1964), Robert Sugden (1986), Victoria Sugden (1994)
Adoptive Children Andy Sugden
Stepchildren Bernice Blackstock, Sandie Merrick