Exclusive: Emmerdale's Beth Cordingly responds to "tough" Ruby and Caleb change

Emmerdale’s Beth Cordingly has spoken about the recent change to her character Ruby Fox-Miligan, amid the fallout of her and Caleb’s latest scheme. Caleb’s feud with Joe Tate escalated in recent months, and he and Ruby decided to completely destroy his life.

As Joe’s wedding to Dawn approached, Caleb and Ruby orchestrated a situation where Dawn would stand up Joe at the altar and run away with Billy and their kids.

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While Dawn eventually realised she had been manipulated, the day took a tragic turn when Jimmy crashed into the wedding marquee – and both Jimmy and Dawn were killed.

What’s more, the couple set up a robbery that ruined Jimmy’s finances, forcing him to sell his shares in the haulage firm – and his grieving wife Nicola has now been left in a disastrous situation.

Speaking exclusively to us at Inside Soap, actor Beth explained that Ruby and Caleb’s recent cruel behaviour has been good for the characters, even if it wasn’t popular with viewers.

"You can’t worry about your character being liked, otherwise they become really bland," she explained. "Although I agree it went too far with the Joe stuff. Everybody hated Ruby when she first came in. She won a lot of hearts round with the backstory about her abusive dad.

"People have seen both sides of her, then suddenly she’s gone really tough and Lady Macbeth, which has been exciting – but I was aware it could make people hate her again!

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"Soaps are built on feuding families, and you want to keep the characters fresh and evolving. And usually, people get their comeuppance…"

Meanwhile, returning Sadie has already interacted with Caleb, as she desperately attempts to get her hands on the missing £150,000 that was given to Jimmy in cash that bought him out of the business.

But could Sadie and Ruby be a new crafty double act in the village, or are they more likely to be mortal enemies?

"I think they’d either love or hate each other!” Ruby exclaimed. "I was hoping to work with Patsy Kensit. Ruby doesn’t have many mates and is always enamoured with anyone who’s interested in being her friend. She’s struck up sudden, intense friendships with Chas and Manpreet in the past."

To read our full exclusive chat with Beth about what’s next for Ruby, pick up the new issue of Inside Soap, available to buy from Tuesday, 15 September.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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