Alicia Metcalfe was Leyla Harding’s sister, adoptive mum of Jacob Gallagher, who arrived in Emmerdale in dramatic fashion to have a screaming match with her sister at their mum’s funeral!

And to be quite honest, her time in the village didn’t get any quieter from then on.

But despite the drama, Alicia became a real fan fave over her years in the village.  Viewers were hoping she’d return for Leyla’s funeral and to support bereaved Jacob but sadly that didn’t happen.

So we thought it was time for a reminder about who Alicia was and everything she got up to in her time in the village.
Leyla’s sister Alicia was a fan fave (Credit: ITV)

Alicia Metcalfe’s arrival

Alicia Gallagher as she was then came to the village with husband Justin and son Jacob, to warn Leyla to stay away from their mum’s funeral. Leyla didn’t listen, of course, and the sisters fell out BIG time.

A little while later, Alicia returned to the village after her marriage broke down. It was revealed that the problems between the sisters were because Alicia wasn’t Jacob’s biological mum – it was Leyla. Alicia had adopted her baby when she was struggling to conceive.

When Jacob overheard the sisters arguing, he ran away and during the time he was gone, Justin admitted that while Alicia wasn’t Jacob’s mum, he was in fact his dad. He and Leyla had a one-night stand and she’d got pregnant.

Alicia tried to stop Justin seeing Jacob but eventually relented.
Everyone loved Alicia (Credit: ITV)(

Alicia Metcalfe and her Emmerdale romances

Alicia had a brief hook-up with Declan Macey then started a relationship with Andy Sugden.

But things fell apart when Andy and his ex Debbie Dingle decided to have a ‘saviour sibling’ for their daughter Sarah.

Alicia tried to be supportive when Debbie got pregnant, but when she discovered that Andy and Debbie had s3x, she wasn’t impressed. The pair split.

Alicia moved back in with David Metcalfe and though he said they were just friends, she began to develop feelings for him.

And when Val gave David a piece of her mind, Alicia saw red on his behalf. She punched Val! With previous convictions, she was sent to jail.
Alicia and David got married and told Jacob the truth (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Alicia Metcalfe’s return to the village

After a year Alicia came home and she was devastated to discover that David was now in a relationship with Priya.

Trying to ignore her feelings for David, Alicia began a romance with Dom Andrews. But during a siege at the Woolpack Alicia was shot by serial killer Cameron Murray.

David rushed to help and when Alicia was in hospital the pair admitted their feelings for one another.

They eventually tied the knot – on the same day as Leyla returned to the village. See what we mean about drama?

Telling Jacob the truth

When Priya discovered that Jacob was Leyla’s son, Alicia was worried he was going to reveal everything, so she told Jacob herself. Jacob was upset but eventually came to terms with the revelation.
Alicia had a breakdown after Lachlan assaulted her (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Alicia Metcalfe and her s3xual assault in Emmerdale

Creepy teen Lachlan White developed a bit of an obsession with Alicia and began to mistake her friendliness for something else. He s3xually assaulted her and in the aftermath, Alicia had a breakdown.

Realising Alicia was struggling to cope, Paul Lambert asked her and David to join him in Portugal to run a bar. They agreed and together they left the village.

When Eric had a heart attack, they came home but after Val’s death, Alicia said she wanted to go back to Portugal. With David determined to stay in Emmerdale, Alicia left him behind and the pair divorced.

Who played Alicia?

Alicia was played by TV and musical theatre star Natalie Anderson.