Former Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson has just made an appearance on rival soap Coronation Street ruling out a return to the Dales as Alicia for the foreseeable future.

With fans desperate for Alicia Gallagher to return to Emmerdale village though, here’s why Natalie Anderson should’ve returned to her roots on the farm-based show.
Fans are desperate for her to come back (Credit: ITV/ Shutterstock)

1. Emmerdale fans have been desperate for Alicia to return

Despite Alicia Gallagher’s last scenes in Emmerdale airing in 2015, fans haven’t been able to forget her.

With 10 years passing since Alicia upped and left for Portugal, viewers all often calling for the character to return. Alicia was a much-loved character during her five years on the soap and fans would definitely welcome a return.

And it would’ve made perfect sense for Alicia to return for her sister Leyla’s funeral after she died in this year’s limo crash. Leyla and Alicia had a great bond, and the way she missed the funeral due to ‘a broken leg’ was rather baffling…

One fan commented: “I can’t believe they’ve written David and Alicia to miss Leyla’s funeral, and such poor excuses too. They would NEVER miss it. Are they kidding?!!?!”

Another fan hoped: “I really hope they bring back Alicia for Leyla’s funeral,” but sadly their wish wasn’t granted.

2. Jacob needs family around

With his dad no longer living in the village and definitely not on the best of terms with him, and with his mum Leyla having recently died, Jacob’s struggling.

He’s only got his grandad Eric for company but he has his own health struggles to attend to. Jacob really needs someone to support him through his grief, and the best person to do this would be Alicia (the woman who raised him as a child).

Alicia leaving ‘Jakey’ in the lurch like this is definitely not true to character…
Alicia would fit right back in (Credit: ITV/ Shutterstock)

3. Emmerdale – Alicia return to run the shop

If Alicia returned to the Dales, she could very quickly establish herself back at the heart of the village.

Pollard’s currently struggling with financial difficulties at the shop and is considering a sale. And, Jacob’s got a bright future in medicine ahead so the last thing he’d want to do is inherit the family business…

But, Alicia could! She could keep it in the family and take on David’s Shop as her own project, almost as if she’d never been away.

4. Alicia belongs in the Dales

The Dales misses Alicia, and we’d like to believe that deep down… Alicia misses the Dales. She provided the village with lots of drama, iconic fashion moments and a lot of sass. And, the village could sure do with more of that, even ten years on.

She gave main character energy, and is already a well-established character on the soap. While a Natalie Anderson return looks unlikely (for now), we will never give up hope.