Jack Sugden

Infobox Emmerdale character 2


name=Jack Sugden
portrayer=Andrew Burt (1972–1974, 1976)
Clive Hornby (1980–2008)
years=1972–1974,
1976,
1980–2008
born= 28 November 1947
(age age|1947|11|28)
creator = Kevin Laffan
first = 16 October 1972
last =21 February 2008
home=Annie's Cottage
occupation=Farmer
family =
spouse =Lynn Sugden (Divorced)
Pat Merrick (1982–1986)
Sarah Conolly (1994–2000)
Diane Blackstock (2004–)
father= Jacob Sugden
mother= Annie Sugden
brothers= Joe Sugden
sisters = Peggy Skilbeck
sons= Jackie Merrick
Robert Sugden
daughters = Victoria Sugden
adoptivesons = Andy Sugden
grandparents= Joseph Sugden
Margaret Sugden
Sam Pearson
Mary Pearson
nephews= Sam Skilbeck
nieces = Sally Skilbeck
great grandparents= Josh Sugden
books = The Legacy
Prodigal's Progress
All That A Man Has
The Homecoming
Old Flames
Wedding Bells
Family Feuds
Young Passions
Another Door Opens
A Friend In Need
Divided Loyalties
Wives and Lovers
Early Days At Emmerdale Farm

John Jacob "Jack" Sugden is a fictional character in the television soap opera "Emmerdale". He was originally played by Andrew Burt from 1972 to 1974 with a brief return in 1976, then he left for Italy to write a book. When he returned in 1980 he was played by the late Clive Hornby. Hornby was forced to take a break from Emmerdale after contracting an illness which resulted in his death. His last on-screen appearance was in February 2008, and his absence was explained by the character visiting Annie Sugden in Spain.

Character overview

Jacob and Annie Sugden’s son Jack was one of the original characters in "Emmerdale". The Sugden family were the owners of "Emmerdale Farm" from the early days of the programme. Jack and his younger brother Joe both worked on the farm. From the early days Jack appeared to be a very rebellious and self-righteous character, who cared little for others views on him, he also was shown to have numerous flings with different women and failed marriages sometimes due to his infedelity. Jack was also an intelligent and articulate man but still shown to be secretive from his family too. As the times have passed and becoming a father, he has matured much more. He has firmly secured his roots back in farming, which he originally tried so hard to escape from. Jack is still a man of principles and of pride which can sometimes be his biggest weaknesses.

The Prodigal Son

In November 1972, Jack's father, Jacob Sugden died after a long battle with an alcohol addiction. Jacob had managed to drain away the profits of the family farm by regularly visiting the Woolpack and drinking too much. Jack Sugden had left the farm eight years earlier after a heated row with Jacob, wanting to explore more than Beckindale, and gone to live in London. After Jack heard the news that his father had died, he travelled back to the village and went to the Woolpack where a surprised Amos Brearly served him. Jack then looked over the dales and the farm whilst his family were at Jacob's funeral. His mother, Annie, was at first slightly bitter with Jack but let him stay at the farm, the family discovered that Jack had been left the whole farm in Jacob's will. Jack's sister, Peggy Skilbeck was annoyed by this as she felt that while Jack was in London the rest of the family had done all the work, and for a while Peggy continued to be bitter towards Jack.

The Early Years

Jack, Joe and Matt ran the farm mostly, however, Peggy became suspicious about Jack's time in London, Joe followed him to the Feathers hotel where there was a reservation for a Mrs. Sugden. At the same time both Jack and Joe took a keen interest in Marian Wilks, the daughter of the local business man, Henry Wilks. Henry took an instant dislike to Jack but looked more kindly on Joe who taught Marian fishing, Annie accused Marian of playing them both off against each other. Jack told Marian to put Joe straight as he was trying to learn more to try and impress her, eventually Jack and Marian got together but Marian demanded to know who the woman he was with at the hotel, as her Father, Henry had seen him with a woman there. Jack explained that he was with his wife, Lynn Sugden, who he married in London and that they were discussing their divorce.

Trouble for the young couple came in the form of Ruth and Tom Merrick, Jack ended up hiring Tom to work on the farm, but Matt complained that Tom was lazy and hardly did any work, Jack confronted Merrick and sacked him, however Merrick had some important information that threatened his and Marian's relationship. Merrick blackmailed Jack and said that if he didn't let him keep his job, he would tell Marian the truth about his and Ruth's son Jackie, Tom had grown suspicious as to who fathered his son after looking at photos of Jackie who looked very similar to Jack, also there was the fact that he was named after Jack and was called John. He also realised that Ruth and Jack had a relationship which ended in 1964 just before Jackie was born and when Jack left for London, it was then that she rushed into a marriage with Tom. Jack however, refused to be blackmailed, and didn't even know for sure if Jackie was his son, Jack sacked Merrick. Marian later found out and a strain was put on their relationship, Ruth and Tom left Beckindale.

The Sugden family were also curious as to Jack's new found wealth, they later discovered that Jack had written a book which had been fairly successful, Marian was curious about Jack's novel and lent a copy off his school friend, Frank. Marian found it a good book but wasn't impressed with the sexist views shown in it. With his money, Jack battled with Henry Wilks over a piece of land Harry Jameson (an old friend of Jacob Sugden) was selling, Jameson was trying to get both of them to boost their offers but Jack knew he needed the money quickly and Jameson accepted Jack's offer. Jack then planned to move into the old mill which stood on the land and do it up, he then got a solicitor and arranged for the Farm to be given to Annie, Joe, Peggy and Grandad Sam, Grandad didn't want the responsibility and sold his share to Henry Wilks.

After his sister Peggy died and having a want to explore the world more, Jack and his lover, Marian left Beckindale for Italy in early 1974. Jack returned in 1976 after he had writer's block, he and Marian had split up and after some words of wisdom from Annie, he left the dales once again.

Relationships

In 1982, Jack married his childhood sweetheart Pat Merrick, a single mother to son Jackie. Unknown to Jack, Jackie was actually his son and when the truth came out it put a lot of strain on the marriage. Further pressure was added when Jack began seeing Karen Moore behind Pat’s back. When she found out, Pat demanded he choose between them and Jack opted to try and make his marriage work. However, fate took a vicious turn when Pat was killed in a car crash in 1986, leaving Jack to bring up their baby son Robert. Jackie died in 1989 after a shooting accident.

After a few years as a single man, Jack met mobile librarian Sarah Connolly in 1988. The couple moved in together and had a daughter, Victoria. Sarah also adopted Jack and Pat's son, Robert. Sarah and Jack married in May 1994. The pressure of trying to keep their failing farm afloat put considerable strain on the marriage and Jack had a brief affair with Sarah’s friend Rachel.

Although it looked like the marriage was starting to work again, following the adoption of troubled teenager Andy Hopwood, Sarah and Jack were at loggerheads again just a couple of years later. After an affair with their lodger Richie, Sarah left her husband to start a new life. Incensed by her actions, Jack prevented Sarah from seeing their children and she considered returning. Richie took Sarah to the Sugden’s barn to try and convince her not to return to her marriage.

arah's death

While they were there, Andy, unaware that anyone was in the barn, started a fire to help Jack get insurance money, and Sarah was killed. The grieving Jack was arrested for Sarah's murder. Andy confessed to Richie - the prosecution's major witness - and begged him to change his statement. Richie, unable to face sending a young boy to jail, agreed to say he was not sure it was Jack he had seen on the night of the fire. The case collapsed, and the Sugdens tried to put their lives back together. Standing by Jack throughout the ordeal was Woolpack landlady Diane Blackstock. The pair started dating but their relationship was hesitant.

Love triangle: Katie Addyman and Robert and Andy Sugden

Meanwhile, trouble was brewing between Robert and his adopted brother Andy. As Andy prepared to marry his childhood sweetheart Katie Addyman, Robert had fallen in love with her and the two had started an affair. When it was finally exposed, the repercussions had severe consequences for the entire family; in a rage at Robert, Andy got a shotgun and waited for Robert to come into his caravan, accidentally hitting Jack when he stepped through the door of the caravan. Having nearly died thanks to Andy, Jack disowned him but they eventually repaired to their relationship. Katie left Andy and moved in with Robert.

Marriage to Diane

Jack was planning to marry Diane, but it was revealed that she was suffering from colon cancer and she underwent chemotherapy. The couple married and enjoyed a honeymoon in Las Vegas while Diane was on the mend.

Family problems

Jack was horrified to discover that Andy had fathered a baby with local teenager Debbie Dingle, but he supported Andy’s decision to be a hands-on father and was impressed with how responsible his son had become.

Robert had a sordid affair with Sadie King and when Katie found out she left the village. As Andy had comforted Katie on her last night in the village, Robert swore revenge on him and seduced Debbie, asking her to go away with him. Robert knew that this would cause Andy maximum harm as it would mean little Sarah would be leaving with them.

When Debbie turned up at the rendezvous point without the child, Robert dumped her. Andy was horrified to discover his brother had tried to ruin his life again and the two engaged in a car chase which ended in a crash. Both Jack's sons emerged unscathed but Max King, who had been inadvertently caught up in the events, was killed. Jack ordered Robert to leave Emmerdale forever.

More trauma was to follow when Debbie gave Sarah up to Emily Kirk, who fled the village. Andy and Jack were devastated and their attempts to get the child back failed.

Meanwhile, Jack was becoming infuriated by the business practices of newcomers the Kings and, although a fragile truce had been made after Max’s death, he continued to oppose them.

Jack was also forced to take in Andy’s half-brother Daz Eden. Both Daz and Jack disapproved of Andy's decision to get back together with his ex-wife Katie. Jack had no idea how massive the impact of having a traumatized teenager in the house would be on Diane. Still recovering from her cancer, Diane insisted Jack had to get Andy to take the youngster back.

In the end Jack Daz, having realised what was going on, agreed to go of his own accord. The situation was untenable and Jack was saddened to see Daz leave Emmerdale to live with his mother. Daz has since returned to the village and Jack and Diane have adopted him.

Feuding with Billy Hopwood

In 2007, Billy Hopwood was released from prison and returned to Emmerdale, he was insistent on seeing his sons, much to Jack's annoyance. He thought Hopwood would be a bad influence on Daz, and told him to keep away from his family. Billy was determined and eventually turned Daz to his side, but Andy would have nothing to do with Billy. A sympathetic Diane talked to Billy and bonded with him. Eventually they fell in love and Billy asked her to leave with him, but Diane confessed to Jack. Jack, unable to forgive Diane, separated from her.However they grew closer again after Andys prison conviction and whilst Jack was in Spain Diane received a text mentioning them patching things up on his return.

External links

* [http://www.itv.com/Soaps/emmerdale/newsandgossip/CliveHornbyhasdied786/default.html Jack Sugden] at itv.com
* [http://www.itv.com/Soaps/emmerdale Official Emmerdale ITV site]
* [http://www.itv.com/Soaps/emmerdale/newsandgossip/CliveHornbyhasdied786/default.html ITV's tribute to Clive Hornby]
* [http://www.itvlocal.com/yorkshire/news/?void=208495 ITV Local Yorkshire video tribute]
* [http://www.itv.com/Soaps/emmerdale/newsandgossip Emmerdale Official News]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7489418.stm] .