Valerie "Val" Pollard (née Lambert) was the straight-talking, naturally flamboyant younger sister of Diane Sugden, the wife of Eric Pollard and the mother of Paul and Sharon Lambert.
Never one to mince words, Val would tell it like it is and she had an acid tongue which usually got her into trouble with her sister.
Biography[]
2004: Arrival in the village[]
Val arrived in the village under dramatic circumstances, attempting to mend her estranged relationship with her sister Diane Sugden.Their reunion was rocky, Diane isn't exactly pleased to see her but can't help but be concerned when she sees her bruised face. Val was also hiding a secret that had slept with Diane's ex-husband Rodney Blackstock over thirty years earlier, resulting in the birth of Paul Lambert. This was a secret that she had kept from the whole family and was only discovered during a blazing row with Rodney Blackstock resulting in Paul punching Rodney.
Her relationship with Eugene Brown ended when Val persuaded Eugene to pay for her nose job and then fled, leaving him behind. When Eugene later arrived in the village, he confronted Val about her deception, revealing the truth about their history, with Val attempting to avoid responsibility for her actions.
Val was eager to integrate herself with the other villagers. She found that life in the Dales was a bit dull and thought a fling is just what she needed to improve her life. She set her sights on Rodney's assistant, Danny Daggert who Diane thought Val had no chance with but she was soon proven wrong when she eventually seduces him into bed unaware of this, Rodney thought Val was interested in him and he started to pursue her.
2005-2006: Partnership with Eric, standing for election and scammed by Pearl[]
In January 2005, Val came to Eric's rescue and spoke to Louise about Edna's petition. Paul later criticised Val for her sudden interest in Eric, describing him as a "fully greased slug." Edna sent her petition to the council via registered post. Val attempted to steal the envelope from the post office counter by distracting Emily, but was caught in the act. Eric was touched when Val told him what she had tried to do. Paul remained appalled by his mother's attraction to Emmerdale's dodgiest bachelor.
Val was furious when Eric declined her offer of lunch, only for her to see him leaving his house with a young woman. When she confronted him, Eric confessed he was having some watches valued as he was facing financial ruin. Val offered to help raise funds by selling the watches to Rodney. Thinking it impossible, Eric joked that if she succeeded, he would cook for her in the nude. Much to Eric's horror, Val managed to make the sale, leaving him with no choice but to follow through on his promise.
At The Woolpack, Eric tried to drink away his misery as his impending trial weighed on his mind. When he became mouthy with the locals, Val escorted him home, where he repaid her with a kiss. The next morning, Eric was oblivious to his behaviour the previous night. Val reminded him, and he went to apologise to Alan and Shelly. Val waited anxiously for Eric's return and admitted to Diane that she wasn't sure he would come back. Diane was surprised by her reaction, but Val explained that Eric was misunderstood. Eric returned to the pub a free man after Steph took all the blame for the handbag scandal and received a conditional discharge. Val was delighted and was rewarded with another kiss. Diane teased Val by bringing up how Glynis had contributed to the breakdown of Eric's marriage, warning her that if she and Eric were more than friends, Glynis might be serious competition.
Eric and Val acted as partners in crime, excited by the fortune they expected to make from auctioning a widow's belongings. Showing no remorse for deceiving the woman, they agreed they made a great team. After seeing a shocking newspaper headline about the local library, Eric devised a new money-making plan with Val. Their scheme continued, and a positive article about Eric was printed in the evening paper. Val insisted on a 35% share of the profits. When Val failed to sell any paintings, Eric pretended they had burned in a fire so he could claim insurance. Val charmed antique owners to generate interest in the paintings, while Eric struggled to secure insurance coverage. He was mortified to learn that Val had told dealers he was her gofer.
Val helped Eric organise an exhibition and suggested they generate more publicity. Eric disagreed, warning her that the venture wasn't exactly legal, but Val went ahead and placed an advert anyway. Eric was furious when she got top billing in the paper and panicked when Glynis questioned their relationship. Knowing Val could be unpredictable, Eric worried about what she might say. He told Val the exhibition was a disaster after Glynis unlawfully revealed he was donating the profits. Val pointed out they could still deduct expenses and was confident that clever accounting would leave them ahead.
Val and Bob supported one another in their individual pursuits. Bob admitted he was looking for a woman, while Val confessed she needed a job. At the B&B, Val caught Bob filming a dating video. After teasing him, she offered to help and, after a few bottles of wine, offered herself.
Val and Bob woke up together and agreed to keep their night a secret. Later in the pub, Eric became jealous of their flirting and asked Val out. Meanwhile, Bob remained determined to fulfil one of his ambitions getting into the Guinness Book of Records and enlisted Val's help. As they practised for their world record attempt, Bob, not wanting to be interrupted, shouted out that he was with a woman. Later in the day, Matthew charmed the villagers and smugly accepted Val's declaration that he was the most eligible bachelor in the village.
In June 2005, after lying to Eric about planning a birthday party for him, Val panicked when she realised she had nothing arranged. Aware that no one wanted to spend an evening with the local conman, she scrambled for ideas. She and Bob devised a VE Day celebration as a cover to get people to attend Eric's party the following day. Val later admitted to Bob that she had fallen for Eric.
At a council meeting, Eric rejected Glynis and confessed his feelings for Val. Louise informed Val that her night with Matthew had been a one-off, and Val reassured her that her secret was safe. Chaos erupted when Eric discovered from the villagers the real reason for their party attendance. Though heartbroken by his reaction, Val sincerely apologised, and after exchanging a few home truths, Eric softened.
Val arrived at Eric's house with all her belongings, and he was visibly unaware that she intended to move in. Eric later suggested they start a soft furnishings company together, combining his business acumen and factory with her sewing skills.
In August 2005, Val planned to furnish the showroom at the factory. However, she and Eric were struggling with the business until local entrepreneur Brett Wright expressed interest in seeing their work. Val told him to return the next day, and she and Eric hatched a plan. When Brett arrived at Mill Cottage, Val enlisted Lesley to play along. Rodney came home, surprised to find his house full of people. Sensing what was happening, he decided to make things difficult for Val and Eric by sharing details of fictional deals to impress Brett.
Just as Val thought she had successfully hired Delilah behind Eric's back, he arrived unexpectedly at work, forcing Delilah to hide. Eric invited Val to dinner, resulting in Delilah being locked in the factory overnight. The next day, Delilah demanded a legitimate role at the factory, leaving Val with no choice but to confess to Eric that she had already been working for him.
Delilah came up with a plan to make Eric appreciate Val more. She gave Val the contact details of a man who owned a mill in Bradford and could offer her better fabric for the same price so long as she didn't mention Delilah’s name.
In September 2005, Diane confronted Val after Paul revealed he had been beaten as a child by Jimmy Pepper. Val claimed she had done her best and broke down in tears. Later, Jimmy arrived in the village and, upon finding Val, pinned her against a wall, demanding back the money he had given her for a wedding he believed was for Paul. Still after the £5,000, Jimmy waited for Val. Unable to come up with the money, she offered herself to him instead. With Jimmy still pursuing the debt, Val hid in the pub until Donna alerted her to a removal van outside Pollard's factory. Val rushed over and was shocked to find the room emptied. She then received a threatening phone call from Jimmy, demanding the money once more. Val warned him to stay away from the village and from Paul if he wanted to get paid. Desperate to raise the funds, Val asked Rodney for a loan, but he refused. She saw Diane as her only remaining option. When she arrived at the pub, Diane too busy to talk asked Val to take the week's takings to the bank. With the cash in her hands, Val couldn't help but see it as the solution to all her problems.
She took the money to Jimmy Pepper and asked him to hit her. At first he refused, but she provoked him until he punched her much harder than she had anticipated. Val returned to the pub with a black eye and lied, claiming she had been mugged. Eric returned to Emmerdale and was shocked to learn that Val had been attacked. She assured him she was fine and before long they headed upstairs for a passionate encounter. Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door—Val was horrified to find a bailiff officer on the doorstep. Panicked by the bailiffs, Val showed Delilah the letter. She packed her bags, intent on fleeing. Despite Delilah's efforts to persuade her to stay, Val insisted she had no other choice, as she would never be able to raise the money. Just as she was about to leave, Eric arrived and announced he had just received a £12,000 cheque for a contract. Convinced her problems were over, Val quickly hid her bags.
Val believed that flirting with a wealthy businessman might be the solution to her money troubles, so she approached a gentleman in The Woolpack and was thrilled when he took her business card unaware that he was actually a bailiff. While she was pitching her soft furnishings services, bailiffs were simultaneously pounding on her door. Eventually, they caught up with her and demanded payment.
Desperate for cash, Val visited Rodney's Antiques Barn and, upon spotting the cash box, couldn't resist grabbing a handful of notes and stuffing them into her handbag. She panicked when she noticed the CCTV camera and rushed to the office to try to record over the footage. Later, Danny informed Paul that the takings didn't add up, prompting Paul to check the CCTV footage. He was shocked to discover a jump cut, followed by the sight of his own mother on screen.
Paul confronted Val about the missing money. She explained that Jimmy Pepper had been demanding cash, but Paul insisted that if she wanted his help, she needed to confess to Rodney. That evening in The Woolpack, Val approached Rodney intending to come clean, only for Rodney to wrongly accuse Paul of taking the money. Val failed to correct him, instead scolding Rodney for making false accusations.
Paul was furious that Val hadn't told the truth, unaware that he was now being blamed. Despite this, he lent her the money she needed. Val tried to sneak the cash back into the till at the Antiques Barn, but when Rodney caught her, she lied and claimed Paul had needed the money after being duped by a friend who had fled the country. Later, Rodney confronted Paul, who was left furious forcing Val to finally confess everything. Diane was outraged and reported Val to the police. Val was released on bail and told Eric she planned to plead guilty in court in the hopes of a lighter sentence. While Paul was able to forgive her, Diane began to question whether she had done the right thing by going to the authorities. On the day of the hearing, Val left for court and Paul challenged Diane, asking whether she was prepared to live with the guilt if Val ended up behind bars.
In November 2005, Val put up a recruitment notice in the café. When Sandra enquired at the factory, Eric turned her away due to her lack of experience as a seamstress. Feeling sorry for her, Val offered Sandra the job anyway. She also encouraged Del to make a move on Carl in hopes of securing a Home Farm contract. However, Val later exposed Del's motives to Carl, leaving Del scrambling to defend herself while Carl was left furious.
In December 2005, Eric was warned that Val's court case might damage his chances of joining the planning committee. Reluctantly, he visited Val and told her their relationship was over. When Val reacted badly, Eric suggested they simply pretend to have split. Diane returned from her cruise to find Val had stayed at the pub the night before. Val cheekily asked to stay one more night before her court appearance, but Diane insisted she leave. Val was forced to spend her final night of freedom on the factory floor.
In court, Val painted herself as one of life's victims. She gave a sob story about her tough upbringing, including being beaten by her father and raising Paul alone. She even pulled out a wad of cash, declaring she intended to repay the stolen money. Diane was disgusted by the performance. However, she later apologised and offered Val a place to stay at The Woolpack. Val declined, determined to be independent. She asked Del to quietly gauge the Kings' interest in her letting Dale View.
Val spotted Eric shaking hands with Councillor Stribbley and, after learning he had set Rodney up, they returned to Dale View, reunited. Eric bragged that he had fast tracked the Christmas lights licence to spite Rodney. Val admired his handiwork and later took great pleasure in mocking Rodney.
In March 2006, Val is left fuming when Noreen criticises her community service efforts. Al Monkford persuades her to check on a vandalised fence, where Val discovers it's been covered in graffiti. Although Noreen puts on a frosty front, she's quietly pleased when Val agrees to repaint it. Val, still on the campaign warpath against Eric, suggests that Noreen run as an independent candidate. Noreen declines, and the two women continue to mask their growing fondness for one another.
Later, Val learns she's been assigned to another community service role this time a night shift in Robblesfield. After she leaves, Noreen's tough exterior crumbles. That evening, she tracks down Val and changes her mind, agreeing to run against Eric. Though she pretends it's just to wipe the smug grin off Eric's face, Val senses deeper motives and is thrilled to get the campaign underway. After a tough interview with the Hotten Courier, Noreen buckles under pressure and quits her campaign, leaving Val to pick up the pieces. Tired of Eric's arrogant boasting in the pub, Val announces that she will stand for election herself.
In April 2006, Val worries she's been neglecting Noreen and is alarmed to find her curtains drawn. She enlists Eric's help and discovers that Noreen is mortified after losing her wig in public. To everyone's surprise, Eric gently coaxes her out of hiding, and Val sees him in a new light. Later, she admits to Diane that she's still in love with him.
Seizing the moment, Val spots Eric in the back of a van and jumps in, locking the door behind her to confess her feelings. She assures him that the games are over she wants him back. Things heat up, but in the chaos, the brake slips and the van careens down a hill, crashing straight into Laurel's Easter Egg competition and obliterating the eggs and prize wanting to sabotage her own chances in the election, Val unveils a brutally honest and chaotic manifesto, hoping to scare voters off. But her plan backfires when McNally decides to frame her as an honest and gutsy underdog, boosting her popularity. Determined to sink her campaign, Val distributes scandalous flyers claiming, "Lambert's gay son is sister's ex-husband's lovechild." Despite the chaos, she tops the Hotten Courier polls again.
Eric is livid, and Val promises to withdraw from the race only to discover she's too late, with less than sixteen days to the vote. She reassures Eric she'll still find a way to lose. But the harder she tries to tank her campaign, the more public support she gains. In desperation, she stages a fake act of animal cruelty by pretending to kick Bolan the dog. She and Eric are thrilled when the papers run with the scandal.
In May 2006, a more pragmatic Eric promises Val that he's going to start prioritising her. On election day, Val, Eric, and Rodney gather to hear the results. As planned, Val comes last but she's anything but disappointed.
In June 2006, Pearl confides in Edna about her financial woes. Later, Val asks about the mysterious investment scheme Pearl has been promoting. Knowing she owes Eric money, Pearl takes Val's cash under false pretences. When Val and Del quiz Pearl about their investments, she claims to have checked the accounts that morning. However, Del discovers Pearl never even went near the café, and when they try to access the website, the internet is mysteriously down.
Del demands her money back, but Pearl warns that pulling out means everyone loses. Eric overhears and warns Pearl that if she's scamming Val, there'll be trouble. When he confronts Val, she denies any involvement. Eric then lays it out: there's no investment Pearl has been pocketing the money to pay off her debts. Furious, Val confronts Pearl, leading to a blazing row in the pub toilets where Pearl finally admits she made it all up. Val fills Del in on the scam. Tensions rise, and Pearl finds it increasingly difficult to work with the pair. She promises to pay them back and tries to appeal to Del, but Val interrupts with a call from Ray, the man collecting Pearl's gambling debts. Later at the pub, Len confronts the group about how they've treated Pearl. Del and Val reveal the truth: Pearl scammed them out of their money by pretending to run an investment club when she was actually covering her own losses.
2006-2007: Becoming landlady of The Woolpack, Eric's secret son and Sharon's arrival[]
In July 2006, Val is stung when Donna suggests her design samples are more suited to Viv. Determined not to be outdone, Val offers to create new ones that better match Donna's taste. When Marlon and Donna review the designs, they're unimpressed. Meanwhile, tensions bubble as Noreen and Val continue to wind each other up. Noreen accuses Val of only hanging around with her because she's loaded, an accusation Betty takes seriously. Louise warns Val that the rumour mill is turning, with whispers that she's taking advantage of Noreen. Val sets the record straight, insisting she's not loaded and confronts Noreen about the gossip. Noreen brushes it off as teasing, but Val isn't amused. Later, Eric gifts Val a necklace, claiming a lucky win at the races. Noreen invites Val for a cup of tea, but Val is too swamped with work.
With Del off sick, Val turns to Diane for help with the show home preparations. Diane mentions Val's recent absence from the pub, suspecting it's to avoid the gossip surrounding her and Noreen. Val brushes it off, quipping that Noreen will probably outlive her. She invites Noreen to the show home opening, where Noreen is delighted they're still friends. Diane compliments Val on her efforts. Disaster strikes when the show home explodes, trapping Diane beneath the wreckage. Emergency services ask Val to keep her sister talking while they work to free her. Though Diane survives, she's wracked with guilt that others didn't make it and lashes out at Val. Val is then hit by the devastating news that one of the victims was an unidentified woman. Fearing the worst, she realises Noreen hasn't been seen since the explosion. Val and Eric search Noreen's home and are alarmed to find a pile of unopened mail and a cup and biscuit left untouched. At the police station, Val is heartbroken when she's asked to identify personal belongings and realises the victim was Noreen. She breaks down in Eric's arms. Determined to do right by Noreen, Val sets out to trace her relatives and organise the funeral. When Eric questions why she's taking it all on, Val snaps that he only cares about money. Her grief is raw, and her guilt runs deep.
By September 2006, Val throws herself into work and offers Lisa a job at the factory. Louise gleefully informs Diane that Val plans to buy into The Woolpack. Jack pulls out of making another offer, leaving Diane vulnerable. Confident after speaking to Grayson, Diane plans to block Val's move to claim Louise's share. When Val later arrives, Diane publicly humiliates her by refusing to sign the paperwork. Eric urges Diane to reconsider, and she reluctantly agrees. On their first official day as co-owners, things start with a bang Val accidentally drops a crate of champagne on Diane's foot. Diane is adamant Val stays away from behind the bar and brings in Sandy, Len, and Betty to help with busy shifts.
In October 2006, the sisters are stunned when Steph begins working at the pub. Steph takes great delight in winding them up. After a string of mistakes, Diane loses patience and forces Val to tell Steph the truth about her future at the Woolpack. Meanwhile, Val and Diane use Marlon's new B&B position to spy on Louise. Val even offers Paul a hefty wage to keep tabs on Steph at the factory, hoping she'll land in prison soon.
In November 2006, Louise retaliates after losing customers to The Woolpack by reporting Jasmine for underage drinking. Val, mid-way through a dodgy wine deal with Jamie, is caught off guard when the police arrive. Summoned to the station, she quickly bans Jamie and Jasmine from the pub to save face. Diane, just returning from a break, bursts out laughing at Val's police problems. Together, the sisters charm Inspector Watkins and manage to escape with a warning. Jack is far from amused, but Diane and Val celebrate their narrow escape until the arrival of a surprise guest leaves them reeling.
The village women look on as David Metcalfe steps into Emmerdale. Val wastes no time grilling him about his past and relationship status, while Del eyes him up from the bar. Val encourages her to make a move. Behind the scenes, Eric confesses to Val that he once stole £20,000 from David's mother and fears David is only pretending to be his son to get the money back. Val becomes suspicious of Eric's sudden shift in attitude. While searching for her missing purse, she stumbles upon a DNA results envelope. Realising Eric had a secret test done, she confronts him. Eric admits the truth: he had the test done behind David's back. Val is left stunned by his deceit.
Val becomes increasingly suspicious of Eric's sudden paternal instincts toward David. Her doubts are confirmed when she rifles through Eric's suitcase and uncovers the dodgy DNA test results. David confides in Val that he hopes to gain Eric's trust, which slightly reassures her especially when he suggests doing another paternity test. Eric intercepts the test results, planning to hide the truth once again, but Val catches him in his office staring at the unopened envelope. Fed up with the secrets, she urges both Eric and David to open it together. When they hesitate, she tears the envelope open herself.
Overwhelmed and craving a cigarette, a nicotine deprived Val storms off to the post office, returning with a pack she secretly smokes in the backroom. When Paul unexpectedly enters, she panics and tosses the lit cigarette into the bin. Meanwhile, Eric and Rodney bicker endlessly, and Val tired of being in the middle suggests to Paul that Rodney stay with him for a while. Tensions mount when Donna storms into The Woolpack and blames Val for the escalating chaos.
In February 2007, Paul and Diane receive an invitation to Sharon's wedding and immediately wonder if Val has been invited. She walks in, completely unaware her daughter is getting married. Val explains to Diane that she and Sharon are estranged because Sharon once stole from her. After reading about the wedding in a magazine, Val visits Sharon at her hotel posing as Diane. She's crushed to find out Sharon has told her fiancé that her mother is dead. Devastated, Val gets drunk and causes a scene, prompting Sharon to throw her out in front of photographers, revealing their sordid past in the process.
A hungover Val wakes to see her drunken antics splashed across the Hotten Courier's front page. Paul and Diane are furious when they learn Val once slept with Sharon's boyfriend, which caused the estrangement. Val tries to apologise to Paul, but he refuses to forgive her. Isolated and ashamed, Val spends her birthday alone. Eric appeals for forgiveness on her behalf, but the damage seems done.
Meanwhile, Eric is thrilled about an upcoming council trip to Spain, but Val tells him they can't spare him at the factory. When David offers to take over the business, Eric is delighted though Val remains wary. Sensing an opportunity, David manipulates the situation. While Val and Del enjoy a night out, David gets Val drunk and sneaks £2,000 in cash and her debit card from her handbag. He later returns the card to Eric, who scolds Val for her carelessness. To David's annoyance, Eric is placated when Val offers to replace the missing money. Still bent on revenge, David lies to Del, claiming Val made a pass at him in the taxi. Furious, Del confronts a confused Val. When Eric announces that he's leaving David in charge of Val's Interiors during his trip, Val objects, asserting that the company is half hers. Eric dismisses her, claiming she's entitled to nothing. Furious, Val vows to make Eric's life hell.
Before leaving, Eric gives David his hotel number supposedly for Val. But David keeps it to himself and tells Val Eric didn't want to speak to her. Val is left feeling rejected and shut out.
In March 2007, with Eric away, Val is initially relieved to have some space. But when David steps out to get food, Del discovers the stolen cash and confronts him. David scrambles to explain, and Eric returns to find Val suspicious. He suggests Val already returned the cash and urges Del and David to support his version of events. Determined to uncover the truth, Val visits the wine bar herself, only to be told they've never seen the missing money. Realising David likely had it all along, she challenges Eric to choose between her and David.
Elsewhere, Val misses Mother's Day with her family after calling in sick, leaving Diane run off her feet. Diane and Del try to play peacemakers by organising a romantic dinner for Eric and Val. The meal starts well, but quickly unravels when Val presses Eric about his loyalty to David. The row spills into The Woolpack, where a furious Val finally snaps, telling David that Eric only went into business with him to get his hands on his money.
In April 2007, Val is downbeat when she sees Diane and Paul excitedly trying on outfits for Sharon's wedding. Sensing her pain, Rodney offers a comforting ear and pledges to reunite Val with her daughter. Teaming up with Paul, Rodney invites Sharon to The Woolpack, hoping to build bridges. But Val's attempt at a guilt trip fails, and their meeting descends into a blazing row. Paul intervenes and pleads with them to reconcile. Sharon reluctantly agrees to let Val attend the wedding. Rodney softens Sharon further with a sentimental gift an antique locket—much to Val's irritation. She's livid Rodney is playing the doting father figure at her daughter's wedding and mocks the locket's authenticity.
In May 2007, Val is thrilled about Sharon's hen night until Sharon announces there won't be one. Undeterred, Val makes her own tacky plans, ignoring Sharon's wish for a spa evening with fellow WAGs. Sharon gets her serene hen do, but wakes up hungover to find Val ready with novelty t-shirts and bunny ears for hen night part two. On the morning of the wedding, Val overhears Dan whispering about a transfer. With Jasmine's help, she discovers he's changing clubs. During the ceremony, a clueless Val blurts the news, causing Sharon to panic over a potential pay cut. Outraged by Sharon's reaction, Dan jilt her at the altar. The wedding disaster makes the local paper though not even the front page. Sharon blames Val for everything. Val attempts to apologise, but after knocking back a few brandies, makes matters worse.
2007-2008: Diane's affair with Billy, Val's wedding to Eric and pub of year[]
In June 2007, Val is frustrated that Sharon continues to blank her. Spotting Billy at the bar, she turns on the charm to irritate Eric. With Billy now staying at the pub, Val turns up to breakfast in revealing nightwear but he's more interested in toast than temptation. She ropes Diane into finding out if Billy likes her, and when she sees them laughing, she takes it as a good sign. Val is crestfallen when Billy moves back in with Edna. Later, he invites her to the cinema to take his mind off Diane, and Val pounces with a cheeky kiss. She brags about their date and lures him back for an afternoon romp and more fun that evening. Sharon fumes after Val's kiss-and-tell hits the press especially when it highlights Val's parenting failures. Sharon boasts she’s scored a modelling audition from the publicity, sparking more tension. Diane grows jealous over Billy's fling with Val. Misreading her sister's mood, Val assumes Diane is upset about her 60th birthday and organises a surprise party.
Diane, caught off guard, plays along but tells Val to keep it quiet. Val invites herself and Billy on Diane's casino outing with Jack. When she learns of Diane's holiday plans, a bitter Val suggests she and Billy take a trip too. The tension with Sharon boils over when Val sabotages her daughter's Foxy Cosmetics audition by rubbing dog hair on her dress, triggering Sharon's allergy. The stunt ruins Sharon's shoot, and the fallout erupts into a food fight at Paul's fun run.
In August 2007, Diane begins scheming to nudge Val and Eric back together. She reminds Val of how generous Eric once was, prompting Val to hunt for a locket he gave her. But the plan backfires when Eric confronts her and she pettily admits she was planning to pawn it.
In October 2007, Jack tells a stunned Val that Diane has admitted feelings for John the drayman. Val rushes to prison to visit Billy and gleefully spills the gossip. When Billy reacts with jealousy, Val realises something's going on. Confronting Diane, Val learns the truth: Diane and Billy had feelings for each other, but Diane insists nothing physical happened. In a fit of rage, Val hurls a vodka bottle at her sister.
The two share an emotional heart-to-heart, and though Val agrees to keep quiet, she warns that Billy may not stay silent once he's released. Jack later pressures Val, who cracks and confirms the truth. Meanwhile, Eric who has secretly recovered the use of his legs fakes continued immobility when Val visits, hoping to win her sympathy. When David can't attend a meeting, Val is roped into accompanying wheelchair-bound Eric. Jealous upon discovering his client is an attractive woman, Val hijacks the meeting. Later, she catches Eric walking and, furious, plots revenge. She takes him on a picnic, flirts with reconciliation, then steals his phone and drives off leaving him stranded. Eric eventually returns and confesses he faked the injury to spend time with her. Flattered, Val agrees to give their relationship another go. David is horrified by their reunion, but Eric defends Val and warns his son not to meddle. When gossip spreads, Eric treats Val to a mini-break to celebrate their fresh start.
In November 2007, Val and Diane finally bury the hatchet. After a dose of blunt honesty from Val, Jack is spurred into action—he heads to The Woolpack, asks Diane to stay, and rips up her cheque. Meanwhile, Eric tries to prove he can be romantic by proposing to Val confident she'll reject him. But Val gets wind of his plan and flips the script by gleefully accepting, just to wind him up. She then wastes no time in announcing their engagement, much to Eric's dismay.
In December 2007, Val and Eric share an awkward dinner with Diane and Jack, their strained double-date doing little to settle nerves. Paul drops a bombshell he's moving away but Val surprises him with her support. She assures Paul and Jonny that she'll be happy wherever they live, as long as there's a spare room with her name on it. Val throws herself into village life by agreeing to provide costumes for Belle's school production of Cinderbella, on the condition she gets to play the wicked stepmother. Meanwhile, Val complains to Rodney that Eric hasn't asked her to move in. Rodney advises her to go after what she wants, so Val attempts a sneaky move-in but Eric finds her underwear under the bed and promptly returns it.
Things get worse when Val crashes Eric's car into another vehicle. The shaken driver, Rosalind, is distracted by Eric, who lies to Val that he's meeting a supplier and then guiltily takes Rosalind to the pub. Although tempted, Eric realises he still loves Val and heads back to The Woolpack to re-propose. He even agrees to buy her a ring from Rodney's stock but gets caught in his own scheme when he asks Rodney to switch the price tags and Val ends up picking the most expensive ring. Despite everything, Val shows her softer side when she defends Diane from Victoria's smug comments and later urges Jack to give Diane another chance, recognising how heartbroken they both are.
In January 2008, Val steps in to help at The Woolpack when Marlon calls in sick but botches a quiche after misreading the recipe. Jonny notices she's been struggling with reading and gently suggests an eye test, but Val angrily brushes him off. She later confides in him that she's terrified her vision issues could be a sign of a brain tumour. Jonny keeps her secret from Paul, even as she bungles a Woolpack delivery order and annoys Diane. Jonny secretly books her an eye appointment, but when Paul spots him on the phone, he wrongly assumes Jonny's cheating. In the heat of the moment, Jonny blurts out Val's cataract diagnosis during a dance rehearsal, leaving Val mortified. She bolts and, in her panic, accidentally reverses her car into young Samson. Thankfully, he suffers only a broken arm, but Lisa is furious when the police decide not to press charges.
Val's troubles continue when she clashes with Donna at the pub over smoking. Donna orders her to stub out her cigarette, but Val refuses. The confrontation escalates and Val ends up arrested for assaulting a police officer. Angry, Val cuts Marlon's shifts to cover her fine. Terrified of the hospital, she locks herself in the pub toilets to avoid her appointment. Eric eventually forces her out and insists she attend. At the hospital, Val is devastated to learn she'll need two operations to remove her cataracts, and the fear begins to overwhelm her. Val grows emotional as she compiles a list of things she wants to see before her cataract operation, fearing she may go blind. Her self-pity gets the better of her when she compares her procedure to Diane's past battle with bowel cancer. Diane is deeply offended and storms off in disgust. Later, Eric reveals he's paid for her to have the operation done privately. Val feigns gratitude but secretly feels overwhelmed.
In February 2008, Jasmine interviews Viv and Val about their upcoming charity loop-the-loop plane ride. Diane is furious when Val pretends she's still going through with the stunt. Diane and Viv reveal they've spoken to Val's surgeon, who's rescheduled her eye operation so she can still take part. Val panics, but Diane forces her to attend training with Viv. By flight time, Viv is also terrified, and Diane and Bob end up taking their place. Val then rushes to hospital for her operation, petrified. After surgery, Diane visits and is stunned to find Val living in luxury, having ordered foot massages, chocolates, and perfumes. Eric is furious at the expense but softens when Val's bandages come off and she happily reveals her sight has returned.
Val enlists Rodney to help organise a fairy-tale wedding for Paul. They each propose conflicting themes—Rodney opts for a traditional top-hat-and-tails affair, while Val wants a 1950s kitsch wedding. Paul tires of their constant bickering and demands a ceasefire. When Val discovers Eric has drained their wedding fund, she accuses him of not being committed. Eric insists he loves her and begs her not to cancel the wedding. Paul, fed up, secretly marries Jonny at the registry office with only a few friends present, unable to face more interference. On their return, they keep the secret while pretending to go along with Val and Rodney's lavish plans. Eric accepts a bribe from the Kings to secure a refuse tender. Val finds the money and takes it for their wedding fund.
In April 2008, Val proposes a speed-dating night and pushes for refurbishments at The Woolpack after seeing The Malt Shovel's upgrades. Diane resists, favouring tradition. Val creates a customer suggestion box and continues lobbying Diane. When Eric refuses to fund the changes, Louise backs Val, swaying Diane to allow a few updates. But a disagreement with Lisa leads to the Dingles blacklisting the pub, and Val must offer them free food to win them back. Diane is livid at the cost and puts a stop to further refurbishments.
In May 2008, Eric suspects Val is blackmailing him and accidentally reveals his past fling with Rosalind. Val is furious and dumps him. Later, when they realise Rosalind is the real blackmailer, Val forgives Eric. Meanwhile, Laurel confronts Val over baby-swap rumours, and Val admits the gossip has spread. Diane secretly enters The Woolpack into a "Pub of the Year" contest. Val tries to bar the Dingles in anticipation of the mystery judge, then bribes Jasmine to find out the date of the visit. Val clashes with Diane over whether to upgrade the menu. When Val leaves furniture outside during cleaning, the Dingles steal it. Diane sends Val to negotiate its return. Despite a decent review, the pub is criticised for the décor. Val dreams of a lavish wedding, but Diane warns her to think about retirement instead. Eric tries to rein in the spending, but Val raises the budget further. Diane and Paul realise Val is disguising wedding expenses as pub contest costs and charging guests £10 each. They are furious.
In June 2008, Val is stunned when her estranged daughter Sharon arrives, claiming she's come to support Val in the pub contest. Sharon surprises Val with a hen night, and the celebrations get out of hand. Lisa struggles to finish 1,000 tablecloths for the wedding and is overwhelmed. Eric offers her lunch as a goodwill gesture. When the cloths aren't delivered on time, Val rushes over and is knocked out by Lisa's door. Eli, seizing the opportunity, holds Val hostage in the barn for ransom. When Val hears how little Eric has spent on their wedding, she agrees to keep the kidnapping going if she gets a cut. Eric, believing the abduction is real, breaks down. But when he confesses he just wanted her to have the perfect day, Val emerges. The couple argue and call off the wedding. Tired of the chaos, Zak bundles them into a van and takes them to church where they finally marry.
Back home, Eric hides a £30,000 VAT bill and gets David to borrow from Val. She agrees, expecting David to repay it in chores. Val tries to appear on Marlon's Television slot to promote The Woolpack but is refused. She refuses to pay David for cleaning, insisting it comes off his loan. When Eric loses a client over a pricing row, he breaks down and admits the VAT debt. Val considers selling her pub share and discusses it with Diane. Overhearing Jimmy looking to invest, she suggests converting the factory into flats. Eric objects until she mentions how much money they could make. A fire later damages the factory. Val blames Pearl, but Eric confesses Sam was responsible. Val wants to report Sam, but Eric talks her out of it. Val mistakenly believes The Woolpack has won Pub of the Year but is crushed when it's only runner-up, losing marks for service. Marlon blames Val and quits to work at The Malt. Eric blames Val for getting him mixed up with the Kings. Val offers to re-mortgage The Woolpack to bail him out.
Gennie persuaded Terry to let her use the B&B storeroom as a temporary curtain factory. When Debbie let slip to Eric and Val about the setup, Eric was furious—until a representative placed an order for six hundred curtains. Meanwhile, the kitchen at The Woolpack was in chaos, and Rodney complained that the catering for Donald's birthday party was incomplete. Diane and Val decided to act and, after discovering Marlon was not at The Malt, they offered him his old job back.
Terry became frustrated when the factory workers disrupted his guests with their singing and told Val he wanted the storeroom back. Val wound Terry up about taking orders from Louise, prompting him to sign a formal contract allowing the workers to remain. However, a health and safety inspector visited the B&B and pointed out several issues, forcing Eric to shut the factory down. Val blamed Louise and confronted her, while Eric worried Val had made matters worse. Val pleaded with Louise to allow the factory to resume. Tensions rose when Eric hinted that, due to the crisis, they might have to cancel their honeymoon. Val offered to postpone it, but Eric suggested she go alone.
In August 2008, Val returned early from her solo honeymoon and quickly seduced Eric. During an intimate moment, Eric was shocked to spot a fresh tattoo of the name "Derek" on Val. She insisted she had been drunk for the entire trip and could not remember how it happened. She used seduction to win Eric's forgiveness. Val panicked when her holiday friend Bonnie arrived in the village, fearing she might reveal a drunken affair. Bonnie told Eric that Val had not mentioned being married, prompting Eric to get her drunk for information. He invited Bonnie to stay, causing Val to fear the truth would come out. When Val tried to get Bonnie to leave, Bonnie revealed that "Derek" was simply a barman they had met.
Bonnie promised to keep the tattoo story secret, but Val joined her for a heavy drinking session. Eric found them drunk and threw them out, and they stayed at Paul's. Val later found a matching 'Bonnie and Val 2008' tattoo on Bonnie and began to suspect she was a stalker. Bonnie lied about having a daughter, but Paul used redial on her phone and reached the speaking clock. Confronted, Bonnie admitted she had lied about everything and had invented the Derek story because Val was her only friend. Paul agreed to keep her secret if she left the village. Val was relieved and promised to focus on her marriage.
In September 2008, Bob was outraged when McNally published a misleading article about Viv's charity collections in The Courier. Val and Nicola confronted Bob, demanding their donations back. At The Woolpack, Bob insisted Viv had pleaded guilty only to protect her family, but the villagers still wanted their money and threatened legal action. Bob begged Nicola and Val to reconsider. Though Nicola initially refused, she and Val eventually changed their minds after Bob's heartfelt plea. Meanwhile, Nicola was staying at The Woolpack with Paul, and Val grew tired of her presence especially after finding her doodling Rollercoaster Rod rewrites on pub menu. Val asked Rodney to take Nicola back, but he refused. Eventually, Val threw Nicola out, leaving her with nowhere to stay.
In October 2008, Diane confided in Val that she had caught Andy contemplating suicide, which infuriated Victoria when she overheard. Val reminded Victoria that Diane was struggling and needed support. Andy reluctantly accepted Diane's offer to move into the pub. Val was unhappy about the arrangement, and Andy faced hostility from both Val and Victoria after being discharged from hospital. Marlon was disappointed when Diane and Val showed little interest in his ambitious Christmas menu. Val began to suspect Lily of stealing the winning raffle ticket. Edna defended Lily, but began to doubt her innocence when Pearl mentioned that Lily's son Peter had been asking her for money. While Edna’s suspicions grew, factory workers became convinced Lily was guilty.
In November 2008, Lily returned to work under judgemental stares from the factory staff. Val berated her again, prompting Lily to collapse unexpectedly. Val was unsympathetic and accused her of faking it for attention. After another confrontation, Lily quit her job due to the stress.
Elsewhere, Val teased Brenda about her weight, leading Brenda to consider joining a gym to impress Terry. Brenda sought romantic advice from Val and ended up awkwardly trying to flirt with Terry. Eventually, Val told Terry directly that Brenda fancied him. Val also arranged for a tired Diane to go on holiday to stay with Bernice and promised to take care of Victoria. Victoria tried to con Val with a fake school trip, but Val was not fooled. Victoria later scammed Eric out of £10 for 'dinner money', got another £5 from Val, and started collecting for a New Year's party. She then caught David and Nicola together and blackmailed them for £20 each, threatening to tell Val what they had been up to.
In December 2008, Val helped reunite Victoria and Diane. Meanwhile, David and Eric kidnapped Betty before the choir competition finals, believing she had the star voice. Nicola quickly arranged for Val to mime onstage in Betty's place while Gennie sang. The ruse failed when Val had a coughing fit mid-performance, exposing the deceit, and Eric led the crowd in booing. Val felt guilty for accusing Lily of faking her illness. She later caught Victoria kissing Daz and was horrified. Val tricked Eric and David into missing a church event by sending them to a fake meeting with the Bishop, while a television crew arrived at the church. To end the year, Val organised a toga-themed New Year's Eve party at The Woolpack. However, many villagers complained that they could not afford the white linen costumes she demanded for the dress code.
2009-2010: Jack's death, end of a Woolpack era and taking over the B&B[]
Val confronted Victoria about her whereabouts on New Year's Eve, suspicious of her relationship with Daz. Victoria claimed she had only been at a party. Daz later took Victoria shopping in the January sales to cheer her up, and Val grew uneasy about their increasing closeness. She warned Daz that if she noticed any sign of Victoria developing feelings for him, she would inform Diane immediately. Val decided that Paul needed to move on and find a new man, but he rejected her idea of a night out. Undeterred, Val planned a surprise divorce party for him, though Rodney warned it would likely upset him. At The Woolpack, Paul was mortified when a troupe of male dancers arrived organised by Val, who hadn't thought it through.
To make amends, Val tried to smooth things over with Jonny's mother, Patricia, and invited her over. Meanwhile, Lily and Leyla discussed Paul's possible trip, unaware Val had overheard. Alarmed, she informed Rodney, and they soon realised no one knew where Paul was. As Val exaggerated her concern about her "lost" son, Rodney found Paul at Home Farm helping Katie. Once Paul learned Val knew about his departure plans, he returned to The Woolpack for a confrontation. When Rodney supported Paul's decision to leave, Val criticised his inconsistent parenting. Desperate to make Paul stay, Val lied that Rodney had a serious heart condition. Paul later mentioned this supposed illness to Rodney, who was baffled. When Rodney answered the door out of breath, Paul grew worried until learning his father had just finished a fitness session. Covering her tracks, Val told Paul he could use Rodney's 'condition' as a reason to stay, claiming Rodney would blame himself for holding him back. Eric became concerned when Val bought a funeral hat.
Katie caught Paul reading an email from Jonny, who was flying back that day. Paul told her he couldn't go to Australia because of Rodney's health. Later, Eric asked Rodney if the rumours were true, and Rodney nodded jokingly confirming that Eric had a life-threatening condition. When Rodney left to meet Pam for a romantic rendezvous, Paul and Diane feared he might suffer a heart attack from the exertion. Eventually, Paul confronted Rodney and discovered that Val had fabricated both his and Eric's illnesses. Though upset, Paul forgave her and bid farewell to the village as he left for Australia to be with Jonny.
In February 2009, Val grew concerned for Diane and asked Katie to persuade Andy to help with the funeral arrangements. When Katie approached Andy, he reacted angrily and told her to leave. Katie informed Diane, who then had no choice but to ask Val and Eric to handle the funeral planning. Val, furious at Andy's behaviour, visited Butlers Farm to remind him of his responsibilities and told him he now needed to be the kind of man Jack would have been proud of.
In March 2009, Maisie became frustrated that Nathan was outperforming her in business. She slyly told Mark how much she enjoyed working at The Woolpack and that she would love to become landlady. When Mark hesitated, Maisie sulked, prompting him to approach Val. Val and Eric asked Mark to name his price for buying the pub. Though Mark initially declined, he changed his mind after seeing Maisie thriving at work. The three agreed to keep the deal secret from Diane. Maisie, excited by the idea of becoming landlady, joined Val's scheme to convince Diane she was too old and tired to continue running the pub. She obtained tablets from Nathan and crushed them into Diane's drink, hoping to make her appear unwell. However, Val unknowingly drank the tea instead. When Maisie saw Val asleep on the sofa, she panicked, thinking she had accidentally killed her. She threw a vase of water at Val, who woke up immediately. Diane found the incident amusing, while Val and Maisie were forced to reconsider their plan.
Despite the failed attempt, Val eventually persuaded Diane to retire. Diane agreed after consulting her advisors. However, when Nathan found out about the secret deal, he told Natasha. Furious, Natasha informed Diane, who realised Val had been manipulating her into retirement. Diane announced she was stepping down—but would sell her share to Rodney and Nicola instead. Val and Eric were left scrambling to resolve the situation, while Maisie confidently arrived to inspect what she thought would be her new business. Diane turned the tables on Val, revealing she knew everything and declared that Val was no longer welcome in the pub. She thanked Val for keeping her sharp, then chased her out with a soda siphon. Later, Val took an interest when she learned Maisie was pursuing Andy. Maisie assured Val she was not one to give up easily.
In April 2009, David gave Leyla a loan to help cover her mother's nursing home fees. Val witnessed the exchange and informed Eric. The pair confronted David, accusing Leyla of scamming him. Although David defended her, doubts set in when Leyla disappeared and later admitted most of the money was already gone. Diane snapped at Val after being teased about sharing a house with Sandy and confessed to kissing Doug. Meanwhile, Val lost patience with Mick working at The Woolpack and persuaded Andy to give him a job. Val pushed Maisie to boost lunchtime trade at The Woolpack. Dismissing Maisie's suggestions, Val opted for a quiz night and ordered her to write the questions. Maisie left them unattended, and Sandy cheekily read them in advance.
When Eric experienced chest pains after lifting at the factory, Val insisted on a hospital visit. Eric blamed election stress, particularly from David and Leyla, but was later diagnosed with a suspected minor heart attack. Val urged him to pull out of the election, but Eric refused. When David overheard an argument between the couple, Eric falsely claimed he had faked the illness to guilt David out of the race. Val was horrified and begged him to stop risking his health, but Eric remained determined.
In June 2009, Eric appeared to give up on the election when he took Val out for an anniversary meal instead of campaigning. Val warned him David was suspicious, but Eric ordered her to stay silent until voting was over. Concerned for Eric's pride, Val encouraged David to ask his father for advice, and Eric gladly offered tips. The factory continued to struggle with no new business and repeated shutdowns. Eric promised Val he was working on signing new clients, but a failed meeting forced him to admit that nobody was interested. He handed Val a letter revealing unpaid supplier bills and warned the factory might close. Lexi announced that due to the downturn, one staff member would be made redundant. The workers agreed to draw names from a hat. When Lisa's name came up, Eric refused to sack her and used a veto. He drew again and made Doug redundant in his absence.
In July 2009, Val was furious to learn from the factory workers not Eric that the factory had closed permanently, but softened when she saw how defeated he was. Scheming once more, Val conspired with Lisa to have the Dingles rob the factory so she and Eric could claim insurance. She hosted a dinner party to distract Eric while the Dingles broke in. Her plan nearly failed when the guests left early, but she managed to keep Eric occupied long enough. David and Leyla almost caught the Dingles. Val later reassured Eric everything would be fine. However, when Eric met the liquidation officer and discovered the factory had been robbed, he was furious. Val tried to suggest claiming insurance, but Eric reminded her they'd already been denied a pay-out after the fire. When Val admitted her involvement, Eric revealed the equipment had been worth £10,000 she had destroyed his only hope of recouping anything. Their relationship soured.
Despite their dire finances, Val went on a reckless spending spree. Eric laid out the grim reality and told her he was too old to start over. Meanwhile, Diane struggled alone at The Woolpack after Val disappeared with Eric. She turned to Rodney for help behind the bar. When Val returned, she was annoyed Diane had asked Rodney, but Diane said she had no choice. Rodney feared losing his job after being sent home by Mark. Diane reassured him he'd always have a place at the pub. Val was horrified by their closeness but relieved when Nathan confirmed Rodney's job was safe. Trying to keep Diane and Rodney apart, Val claimed Eric was already covering Maisie's shift when Diane asked Rodney. Eric wasn't pleased about his new bar duties and eventually snapped when Lisa and Lily poked fun.
Val's plan backfired again when Diane accepted Rodney's offer of dinner. Convinced something was going on, Val grew suspicious after Rodney sent Diane flowers thanking her for the evening. Diane insisted it was platonic, but was clearly unsettled. When Val saw Diane kiss Rodney on the cheek, she was certain there was more to it and set out to sabotage it. She dressed provocatively and tried to seduce Rodney, claiming she was still in love with him. Rodney was stunned and tried to escape, but relented when Val hinted Eric wasn't meeting her needs. After a brief kiss, Val pulled away, satisfied she had exposed Rodney's true intentions. However, Rodney revealed that he and Diane had already decided to remain friends.
Val was left flustered. She claimed she was protecting Diane, but Rodney was furious and threatened to expose her for cheating on Eric. Later, Val begged him not to tell anyone. Diane saw them arguing and dragged them into the back room at The Woolpack. There, Diane was stunned to hear Val had tried to seduce Rodney. Val defended her actions as protective, but Eric walked in just as Diane was berating Val for tarting herself up and kissing Rodney. Eric was horrified. Val spent the night at the B&B while Betty fished for gossip. Val continued pleading for Eric's forgiveness, but he wouldn't budge. Knowing she was losing everything, Val made it clear to Diane that The Woolpack was all she had left and she wouldn't be giving it up easily.
In August 2009, tensions between Val and Diane reached a breaking point, with Diane finding it increasingly difficult to work with her sister. Marlon suggested they implement a rota system to ensure Val and Diane would no longer have to work together, prioritising the comfort of the customers. Meanwhile, Eric returned from a doctor's appointment with David and was pleased to learn that his blood pressure was lower than expected. However, when Val approached them, Eric abruptly cut her off, still unwilling to forgive her, leaving Val hurt and humiliated. Diane also made it clear that she wanted nothing more to do with her, leaving Val feeling completely isolated. Realising the damage she had caused, Val compiled a list of everyone she had upset over the years and began apologising in a bid to make amends. She was stunned to discover that she had alienated half the village. Meanwhile, David persuaded Eric to let him move back in, and when Val arrived at the cottage with a bowl of soup, hoping to talk, Eric firmly stated that he no longer needed her now that David was back he had people around him who truly cared. This rejection left Val crushed.
Back at the B&B, Val preened herself in a vain attempt to win Eric back, but Diane remained unconvinced by her sudden change of heart. When Eric arrived at the pub, prepared to speak with Val, she assured him she had changed. Although both Eric and Diane remained sceptical, there was a flicker of hope that Eric might be softening. However, Val soon broke down in tears and begged Terry for help, leaving him concerned and worried that she might be sticking around longer than he had hoped. Terry confided in Diane that Val seemed genuinely miserable, but Diane was determined to stay out of it. Val then approached Eric again and pleaded with him for a second chance, even offering to help with his financial troubles. Eric, still angry, dismissed her offer, stating that he would not go into business with her even if she were the last person on earth. He told her she had destroyed every feeling he had ever had for her and that he wanted a divorce. Val was stunned.
After wallowing in self-pity, Val went to the pub and tearfully informed Diane that Eric had asked for a divorce. She confessed that she could no longer face putting on a brave face every day at work and admitted there was nothing left for her—she wanted to be bought out of the pub. Val experienced a sudden epiphany and told Terry she was finished feeling sorry for herself. Elsewhere, David noticed how down Eric had become without Val and urged him to reconsider the divorce. Diane was surprised to realise that Val had been serious about selling her share of the pub. Val offered Diane a dramatic apology for every wrong she had ever committed against her and stated that she was closing this chapter of her life. She left a letter for Diane in the back room and handed another to David, asking him to give it to Eric. Still angry, Eric ripped it up and threw it away.
Meanwhile, Val prepared to leave the B&B, claiming she was going to Australia for good. Terry drove her to the airport, where she revealed that both Diane and Eric had made it clear they no longer wanted her around. Back at Farrers, Eric had a change of heart and began piecing together the torn letter. Alarmed by what he read, he frantically asked Terry if he was too late. Terry confirmed that she had gone. Diane later discovered Val's letter and dismissed it, though it was clear she was shaken by her sister's sudden departure. She later admitted feeling torn but refused to chase after Val, assuming it was what Val wanted.
Eric was devastated by Val's apparent departure and berated himself for being so stubborn. However, unbeknownst to him, Val had never left the village she was hiding in the B&B, with Terry reluctantly acting as her accomplice. Eric decided to move on with his life, but it was clear he was still missing her. Val, meanwhile, was growing frustrated and stir-crazy in the B&B, demanding constant updates from Terry about Eric's mood. Watching the village from behind her net curtains, Val was thrilled to hear from Terry that Eric was gutted by her absence. Terry was growing increasingly irritated by Val's demands and her scheming. Determined to escalate her plan, Val phoned the pub, pretending to be calling from Thailand. When Eric grabbed the phone, she hung up, leaving both him and Diane suspicious. Terry reached his breaking point when he overheard David telling Eric that the bank had called about an account deposit, and he suspected Val had been accessing Eric's money.
Furious, Terry confronted Val, only to be stunned when she revealed that she had actually deposited half of the money from the pub sale into Eric's account. Eric later confirmed this with the bank and was moved by Val's selflessness it proved she loved him more than money. Determined to find her, Eric packed a bag and headed to the airport. Val sent Terry to check on Eric's reaction to the money, only to be stunned when he reported that Eric had already gone to the airport. Terry, no longer willing to lie, brought David to the B&B and revealed that Val had never left the village. Val rushed to the airport but arrived too late. Eric had already passed through security. As he boarded the plane, he was astonished when Val appeared beside him. She confessed that she had never left and had staged the entire plan. Eric was furious and demanded to get off the plane, but it was already preparing for take off.
Despite the chaos, Eric admitted he couldn't live without her. The pair were later ejected from the flight for getting frisky and returned to the village. Diane was livid when she learned of Val's deception, but Val insisted her intentions were pure—she was trying to fix her past mistakes. Diane begrudgingly agreed to let her back into the pub. Val continued her schemes and asked Diane to chill some champagne. She surprised Eric by telling him to pack a suitcase, but he was unimpressed when he realised their destination was the B&B. Val revealed she wanted to buy Louise's half of the business and saw it as a new opportunity for them. Though sceptical, Eric agreed to sleep on it. Eventually, the pair made an offer, leaving Terry horrified at the thought of sharing the business with them.
In September 2009, Eric and Val began asserting themselves at the B&B, much to Terry's displeasure. They interrupted his time with TJ to discuss their role in the business, leaving him frustrated. Val asked Eric if she could use the remaining money from the pub sale to travel to Australia and was irritated when he declined. Later, when he told her she could go, Val shocked him by revealing she had already booked a flight for that evening.
In November 2009, following the village bonfire, Eric and Val returned home to find a devastated David. He eventually confessed the truth about Leyla and Nathan. In an effort to prove her worth and make it up to Terry, Val threw herself into working the breakfast shift at the B&B. At first, things went well, but when a customer questioned her menu, Val dismissively ushered them away. Later, the guests complained in the pub, and Terry was furious. Already annoyed, Terry was horrified when he walked in on Val and Eric canoodling in one of the bedrooms. The pair claimed they were "researching" the B&B experience, but Terry was unconvinced. Eric's later claim that the B&B "ran itself" pushed Terry over the edge, and he stormed out in frustration. Feeling guilty, Eric and Val apologised and promised to match Terry's hours on the condition they could move forward with revamping the B&B. Val grew excited at the prospect of opening a restaurant and presented Terry with a sample menu. However, her cooking doesn't quite go to plan and Val resorts to 'Plan B'. Terry and Brenda later turn up and after an uneasy Val serves up her food, Terry and Brenda insist on continuing the conversation about the restaurant in the pub. Brenda finally susses that Val's meal was cooked by Marlon but Terry agrees to give Val a chance on a trial basis.
In December 2009, tensions flared between Brenda and Val when Brenda discovered that Terry and Val had gone out for lunch to celebrate their restaurant plans, despite Terry having previously agreed to have lunch with her. Upset, Brenda drowned her sorrows in the Woolpack and revealed to Diane that Val and Eric were planning to open a restaurant at the B&B. Diane was later furious when Val smugly told her that the restaurant would be "much more upmarket" than the pub.
Meanwhile, Olena made an impression upon greeting Eric at the B&B, but the situation quickly became awkward when Eric asked to see her work visa and it became clear that she didn't have one. Flustered, Eric attempted to cover the situation by hastily introducing Olena as the new maid at the B&B just as Terry and Val entered the room.
After previously mocking Eric's cooking skills, Terry rose to the challenge by preparing a dinner party for Val and Eric. Although Eric was initially unimpressed to find that Terry had cooked a simple stew, both he and Val were forced to admit it was a lovely meal – albeit one that lacked a "wow factor". Terry pointed out how much profit they could make on quality, traditional home-cooked meals, and both Eric and Val quickly latched on to the idea. Val and Viv later roped Jamie into being a food taster for the B&B's new restaurant menu, while Brenda, staying true to her word, dragged Gennie along to do the same.
In January 2010, Val became determined to upgrade the kitchen facilities at The Grange. She informed Terry that she had bought an industrial cooker and a chest freezer for the B&B but assured him the purchases hadn't been charged to the B&B account. Diane questioned how Val had managed to afford the expensive appliances, and Val revealed that she had sold some of her jewellery to cover the cost.
Eric discovered the new appliances being unloaded outside the B&B and also queried the source of funding. Val again explained that she had sold her good jewellery to pay for the upgrades. Later, Val and Eric handed out promotional flyers for the restaurant in the Woolpack, only for Marlon to quietly toss them into the bin. Val was thrilled to see that an advert for The Grange restaurant had been reprinted in the Hotten Courier, although Viv couldn't resist teasing her by pretending there had been another misprint. As preparations for the restaurant's official launch gathered pace, Sam Dingle popped in to wish Olena good luck. However, he accidentally let slip to Val and Eric that Olena was Ukrainian, causing Val to realise they had unknowingly hired an illegal immigrant. To avoid any legal trouble, Val decided that Olena would no longer work front of house and would instead be kept behind the scenes during the restaurant's opening night.
By February 2010, Val and Eric were riding high on the success of their new restaurant. Business was booming and both were in excellent spirits, especially Eric, who ignored Val's warnings and claimed to feel like he had a "new lease of life". Olena later thanked Sam for allowing her to stay at Marlon's house. When Eric and Val entered, she encouraged Sam to speak with Eric. Sam asked if he and Samson could stay at the B&B, but with all rooms fully booked, Eric instead took pity on them and offered to let them stay at Farrers Barn for a night or two. Val was outraged by this unexpected gesture of generosity, but Sam was delighted and ran off before she could protest further.
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Residences[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| The Woolpack | 1st February to August 2004 |
| Mill Cottage | August to 23rd September 2004 |
| Sorrento, Italy | 23rd September to 12th December 2004 |
| The Woolpack | 12th December 2004 to 15th June 2005 |
| Farrers Barn | 15th June to 13th November 2005 |
| The Grange (temporarily) | 13th November to 15th November 2005 |
| The Woolpack (temporarily) | 15th November to 16th November 2005 |
| Pollard's Factory (temporarily) | 16th November to 22nd November 2005 |
| Dale View | 22nd November 2005 to 7th May 2006 |
| Farrers Barn | 7th May 2006 to 26th February 2007 |
| The Woolpack | 26th February to 19th December 2007 |
| Farrers Barn | 19th December 2007 to 30th July 2009 |
| The Grange | 30th July to 25th August 2009 |
| Farrers Barn | 26th August 2009 to 30th June 2010 |
| The Grange | 30th June 2010 to 28th July 2011 |
| Wishing Well Barn | 28th July 2011 to 10th February 2012 |
| Portugal | 10th February to 24th May 2012 |
| Wishing Well Barn (temporarily) | 24th May to 25th May 2012 |
| The Grange | 25th May to 14th June 2012 |
| The Woolpack | 14th June to 20th August 2012 |
| Wishing Well Barn | 20th August 2012 to 4th August 2015 |
Quotes[]
"Hello Diane. You'll never believe it but I was.." (first line to Diane Blackstock)
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"Sister? You're like a disapproving mother-in-law since the moment I walked into this place!" (during an argument with Diane)
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"I'm H-I-Val. I'm Valerie Pollard of the Valerie Pollard foundation. I'm Val." (final words, before being killed by a shard of mirror)
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"Bon voyage, my little Napoleon." (final words to Eric Pollard as a ghost in a vision)
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"Thanks for dreaming about us, ya perv." (final words to Robert Sugden as a ghost in his dream)