Emmerdale James Hooton’s life including real voice that left viewers floored

Emmerdale actor James Hooton has played Sam Dingle in the ITV soap for 31 years, but what do we know about the star’s life away from the Dales?

Emmerdale favourite Sam Dingle made his debut in the village 31 years ago, when the character was freed from a young offenders’ institution.

Throughout the past three decades on the ITV drama, Sam has been central to numerous major plotlines, including the heartbreaking death of his spouse, Alice Dingle (Ursula Holden-Gill), and the life-threatening cattle stampede during the programme’s 50th anniversary special.

In 2024, he was forced to say goodbye to his son, Samson (Sam Hall), whom he had with Alice, after his imprisonment. Sam and the Dingle clan also endured the crushing blow of losing their patriarch, Zak, after actor Steve Halliwell died.

Sam is also a grandfather to Esther, born to Samson and Amelia Spencer (Daisy Campbell) in 2022. Throughout the festive episodes in 2024, both Amelia and Esther departed to begin a new chapter somewhere else.

Actor James Hooton, 52, has brought beloved Sam Dingle to life since 1995, but what do we know about the soap star’s existence away from the ITV series? reports the Express.

Prior to landing his prominent part in Emmerdale, James appeared in programmes including Heartbeat, Peak Practice, and The Bill.

In 2025, James was congratulated by his co-stars after announcing he had been appearing on the ITV soap for three decades.

Posting on his Instagram profile, James shared a picture of himself with the message: “Today marks my 30th anniversary on Emmerdale! Jan 10th 1995 was my first scene in Esholt village with Steve Halliwell (Zak) and Paul Loughran (Butch).”

In July 2024, the actor featured on ITV’s Loose Women, where he spoke about his future on the programme, declaring, “As long as they’ll have me, I’ll stay there!”

Emmerdale viewers are well used to hearing Sam deliver lines in a thick Yorkshire accent, so plenty were shocked to learn it wasn’t the actor’s genuine voice.

The soap’s Instagram page previously shared behind-the-scenes clips showing James, who originates from Carlton, Nottinghamshire.

One fan observed: “Love Sam, and it’s so weird to hear him speak when out of character.” Another astonished viewer noted: “James’ accent never fails to surprise me”, while a third added: “An absolutely brilliant actor.”

Meanwhile, during a chat on Loose Women, James left host Coleen Nolan flabbergasted with his ‘real voice’.

Coleen, aged 61, said: “It’s funny because the first time you came on the show [Loose Women] as you’re such an iconic character in Emmerdale, and then the first time you came on the show, you spoke like that and I was like: ‘Oh, he’s not really him!'”

Beyond Emmerdale, James is a devoted family man and treasures the time he spends with his partner, Nancy Lucas, and their two children, Ava-Rose and Lily.

The soap star dropped to one knee on Valentine’s Day in 2010 to propose to his long-term girlfriend, Nancy, and after 16 years, the couple are still relishing their extended engagement.

While James has regularly been involved in some gripping storylines on the weeknight soap opera, his partner does not feature on-screen at all.

James also devotes himself to refining his already impressive rock-climbing skills, which highlight the star’s extraordinary physique at 52.

Emmerdale broadcasts weekdays on ITV and ITVX.