Emmerdale: Woman's joy at TV soap appearance for bucket list blanket

A woman who dreamed of making a blanket for her favourite TV soap has finally seen her crocheted creation appear on screen.

Emmerdale fan Julie Cass, from Earls Colne, Essex, created a bucket list of goals when she became seriously ill.

Her friend Alison Davey - and BBC Essex - joined forces to make it happen.

"I was proud that it actually got there and so many people were looking out for it as well. It was a brilliant, brilliant moment," Ms Cass said.

The 64-year-old started knitting cat blankets for an animal sanctuary, but decided to challenge herself to crochet a patchwork throw in the style of others used on the long-running ITV soap.

Her bucket list project started after Ms Cass, who has chronic pulmonary disease and a heart disease, became ill.

After starting the crochet craft at the beginning of the year, Ms Cass finally got to see her handiwork on the Dingle family sofa.

Teaming up with BBC Essex, it was her friend Alison Davey who helped get the blanket to the producers of the show.

Ms Davey said: "I just couldn't be happier that everyone pulling together has made it happen.

"I got quite tearful when I saw it appear on the television.

"Luckily I recorded it so I could pause it, rewind, pause it again and then take a photo," she said.

Ms Cass and her husband Gordon said they had never missed an episode of the soap and enjoyed it for its "realistic storylines".

She said: "It's normal. It's normal everyday stuff as well. There's a little boy with Down's Syndrome, there's teenage pregnancy, things like that happen in real life so why not in a TV programme?"

Ms Cass said she hoped one day to visit the Yorkshire set herself.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email [email protected] or Whatsapp us on 0800 169 1830

BBC radio grants bucket list wish for Emmerdale fan

Emmerdale praised by the King as soap wins at NTAs

The Home and Away dream of an Aussie soap superfan