First Appearance: 14 February 1995-3 October 1996
Second Appearance: 1 May 1997, Autumn 1997 - Spring 1998
Third Appearance: 29th March 2000 - 20th January 2005

Born: 16th August 1977. He was nearly called Elvis as he was born on the day Elvis Presley died. (This was revealed in 1996. His birthdate was confirmed on the 16th August 2002)

Son of Zak and Nellie

Siblings: Ben (dead), Butch (dead) and Tina.

Half-Siblings: Belle and Cain

There is a myth that Sam is Zak & Nellie's youngest child. Consistantly through 1995-1996 this was not the case. The boys drink alcahol, while Tina is frowned upon from doing so and is usually not allowed. Sam we know was definately born in 1977. Tina was 16 in 1995 and still at school, 18 in 1996 and still a teenager when she left the series at the end of 1996.

Poor Sam has learning difficulties and can be the butt of many jokes and his good nature used. He is particularly bullied by half-brother Cain.

Job: Did work in Pollard's factory, previously (when not in prison) worked for Eric Pollard as general dogsbody. He later worked for Sadie King as general dogs body.

Sam did a spell in prison in the summer of 2003 for a hit and run accident where he nearly killed Edna Birch.

In December 2004 Sam met chicken farmer Alice Wilson with whom he fell in love. It took a while for him to realise that he did love her but finally he agreed to leave the village and start a new life with Alice in Norfolk in Jauary 2005.

Profile from former official Site

Played by James Hooton
First Appearance on 14th February 1995
Job; Works in Pollard’s factory

1995
Sam's life at Emmerdale began with typical controversy, having been out on remand for demanding ransom money from the Sugden family. Upon release he is given community service and ends up as Eric Pollards dogsbody.
He is constantly conned out of his wages by Eric and is upset when his mum leaves to go to Ireland. He unwittingly helps Uncle Albert with a robbery.

1996
Cries when he realises that his mum is never coming back; sends Mandy a Valentines card and is upset when his dad brings another woman back from Ireland. He then steals a cow from the Emmerdale Show; makes friends with the ageing Mrs Cunningham. Thinks that he is doing the right thing when he buys her a plate from a shop, but it turns out to be theft. He is arrested and put on bail. He is sent to Ireland by the rest of the family to be with his mum and escape a prison sentence. Is last seen in the back of Lisa’s pig truck.

2000
It’s the day before Butch’s funeral and Pollard is at the door of the Dingles; Zak wonders why; Pollard wants to show a gesture of reconciliation and asks them to step outside ' to your safekeeping'; Pollard opens the door and Sam Dingle gets out much to Zak and Nellies amazement.
Sam reads a poem at the funeral, he does his best, despite Pollards accusations of theft. Cain starts bullying Sam, leaving Zak to shout at them for failing to put food on the table.
Sam and Cain are arrested on suspicion of armed robbery. Sam goes back to Ireland to stay out of trouble.

2001
He returns to find out Cain is his brother. At the Dingles, Zak has put on the party music and tells Sam that they will have a party for him the next day. Sam has to share with his new brother, and no one is happy. The misery deepens when he has to return to working with Eric Pollard. Sam wants to hang round with Cain now they are brothers, but Cain has other ideas, and disrupts the relationship with Angie. Their fights soon escalate, and Cain locks his brother in the house. Sam escapes and goes missing.

In May 2001 Sam Dingle made a serious spelling mistake while painting logos on Eric Pollards ceramic houses!

BBC PURESOAP News 5TH FEBRUARY 2003

Emmerdale star denies assault charge

Emmerdale star James Hooton has denied assaulting a teenaged girl during a court appearance.

Hooton, 29, who plays simple-minded Sam Dingle in the soap, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court charged with assaulting 19-year-old Lisa-Marie Campbell in a kebab shop in Leeds on January 31
.
The actor, of Tinshill Avenue, Cookridge, Leeds, spoke only to confirm his name, age, address and to deny the allegation of common assault during the short hearing.
The case was adjourned until March 26 for a pre-trial review, and Hooton was remanded on unconditional bail.

A spokesman for Emmerdale said: "We will be talking to James, but the matter is now in the hands of the police.

" We won't and can't say anything further until the matter has been dealt with by the courts."

Orange Today: Emmerdale star in court on assault charge

Emmerdale star James Hooton has denied assaulting a teenage girl as he appeared in court.

Hooton, 29, who plays Sam Dingle in the soap, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court charged with assaulting 19-year-old Lisa-Marie Campbell in a kebab shop in Leeds on January 31.

The actor, of Tinshill Avenue, Cookridge, Leeds, spoke only to confirm his name, age, address and to deny the allegation of common assault.

The case was adjourned until March 26 for a pre-trial review, and Hooton was remanded on unconditional bail.

A spokesman for Emmerdale said: "We will be talking to James, but the matter is now in the hands of the police.

"We won't and can't say anything further until the matter has been dealt with by the courts."

Story filed: 13:22 Wednesday 5th February 2003

Ananova:

Emmerdale star 'delighted' after case is dropped

Emmerdale star James Hooton will not face any further action over allegations that he assaulted a teenage girl after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Mr Hooton, 29, who plays Sam Dingle, said he was delighted that the case against him had been dropped.

He said: "I never once doubted that I would be exonerated and I'm glad that I can now put this whole episode behind me."

The actor, of Tinshill Avenue, Cookridge, Leeds, was accused of assaulting 19-year-old Lisa-Marie Campbell in a kebab shop in Leeds on January 31.

At a previous hearing in February he denied the allegation of common assault.

Story filed: 17:38 Wednesday 9th April 2003

Pure Soap 12th April 2003