Emmerdale Lydia Dingle star looks totally different in forgotten role on ITV soap

Emmerdale’s Karen Blick is best known for playing Lydia Dingle but she previously appeared on the ITV soap years ago - and fans had “no idea”

Emmerdale fans were left stunned after realising Lydia Dingle actress Karen Blick previously appeared on the soap - and she looks unrecognisable.

Karen shot to fame playing Lydia on the ITV soap - making her debut in 2016. Married to Sam Dingle (James Hooton), Lydia has gone on to become a firm favourite with fans.

The beloved cleaner has also had her fair share of dramatic storylines too during her time in the village - including a recent horror rape ordeal.

As for romances, Lydia had brief flings with Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) and Rishi Sharma (Bhasker Patel) but she eventually settled down and became a member of the Dingle family.

Prior to her stint as Lydia on Emmerdale, Karen starred in the likes of No Angels and Nomads. And in 2006, she even appeared in one episode of Emmerdale, playing an entirely different character.

Karen played an unknown nurse at the abortion clinic that Viv Hope (Deena Payne) visited - with Karen looking completely different, rocking blonde locks instead of her famous red tresses and bangs.

Fans have recently stumbled across Karen’s first Emmerdale stint and shared a snap of her on the soap to an Emmerdale Facebook fan page. And viewers were left stunned at the discovery.

One person wrote: “Here's one I didn't know. Karen Blick (Lydia) playing the nurse that Viv Hope saw at the abortion clinic in 2006.” Someone else penned: “Had no idea.” Before her break in Emmerdale, Karen admitted she considered quitting acting. What’s more, she even trained to become a teacher.

Karen previously revealed: “There were many times I’d considered giving it up. I even trained as a teacher and did a PGCE in 2008.”

The soap star also admitted could be tempted by the opportunity to relocate to London or the USA at some point in her life She said: “Part of me would love to. If the opportunities arose and the timing was right, never say never."

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm