The McAllister Family

The following is based on a profile in the book "The Emmerdale Family Album" (by Michael Heatly and Published by Boxtree Paperback - 30 June, 1995 ):-

"The Newcomers

The year of 1993 saw not one but two new family arrivals - and in both cases they were to supply much-needed community services in the shape of the post office and Doctor's Sugery

Yet beneath their placid public faces, the Windsors and the McAIlistcrs were as turbulent as any family with growing children

In December 1993, leading the 'brat pack' of new Emmerda/e stars were Noah Huntley and Camilla Power; who arrived as brother and sister Luke and Jessica McAllister. The pair had already appeared together in the children's television serial Moonacre. . . .

THE McALLISTERS
It had been many years since the village had boasted ils own doctor, so the arrival of Bernard McAllister and his family' from their former hospital position in suburban Surrey was a cause of much pleasure. As luck would have it, the Doctor would play a role in the events surrounding the 1993 air crash and its aftermath, but the benefits of a surgery in the village - instead of having to travel to Hotton for medical attention - would clearly be felt for some while to come.

In all, Old Hall became home to four people: the doctor, his wife- Angharad. plus teenage children l.uke and Jessica. The position (of teacher at local Hotten Comprehensive School initially gave Angharad McAIlister tle opportunity of keeping a motherly eye on her offspring - but the aflemmth of the plane crash saw her lending a hand in nonacademic ways as the school was commandeered for humanitarian purposes.

Once order was finally restored, the only thing rending the peaceful country air was the noise from Luke's motobike,, which he employed to take him to his final years at school. He fell in with some dubious company, and his naivety seemed set to land him in some scrapes...

Jcssica, though two years younger than her brother, is rather more strcctwise and can quite often prove more mature - though not in matters of the heart. Her parents had hoped a move to the Dales would put distance between her and finace, Danny, a long-haired youth some years older than her, who they regarded as undesirable. Like so many teenagers, however, Jcssica proved less than willing to conform to her parents' wishes, and their disapproval probably prolonged the relationship beyond its natural end.

As may be expected given their positions in the comnmnity, Bernard and Angharad McAIlister were soon well known and respected by all. They both played a part in the` Turners' wedding preparations, and Bernard was a leading light in the administration of the Disaster Fund. Meanwhile. Angbarad proved herself snrprisingly uninhibited beneath a conventional exterior, most notably when persuaded on stage at Lynn Whiteley:s benefit night to cavort with the semi-clad 'Nobbies'.

It was all a long way from their comfortable Surrey life, but for the McAIlistcrs life in the Dales at first seemed just the prescription . . . "

30 Years of Emmerdale -- Lance Parkin (Hardcover - Granada Media - 7 October, 2002)
£15.19 (£18.99 elsewhere) from http://www.amazon.co.uk/

From the year 1995 page 94

"McALLISTER
Bernard and Angharad left Emmerdale, fed up with the feud with the Dingles. Things came to a head when it became clear Angharad would have to teach Tina Dingle. Meanwhile, Kathy's interest in Bernard had practically become stalking.

Jessica didn't accept the decision to leave, and ran off with Biff. She lost her virginity to him, but soon returned to her family, and left the village with them.

Luke stayed behind, and with the rest of his family gone he had the family home to himself. Without family pressure, he was able to have a relationship with Tina Dingle, and the two conducted a secret affair.

Jessica visited in April, and was shocked by this development. She phoned the Dingles to tell them. It was too late - Tina was pregnant. Luke suddenly began to realise that his life had changed: this was underlined when he missed an A-level exam because Tina had stomach pains. Tina also sold a valuable grandfather clock belonging to his father to raise money.
Tina and Luke still planned to get married and set a date for July. Tina turned up in a tiny (leather!) wedding dress, and ditched him at the altar. She'd never intended to marry him, she'd never been pregnant - she was just out for revenge for the death of her brother. "

To read more about Jessica Click here

To Read more about Luke Click Here

To Read more about Bernard click here

To read more about Angharad click here

Dr Bernard McAllister
(December 1993 - 16 February 1995)

Played by Brendan Price

Angharad McAllister
(December 1993 - 16 February 1995)

Played by Amanda Wenban

Amanda Wenban played the McAllister children's mother, teacher Angharad, following her role as 'tart with a heart' Jackie Williams in the serial Families. Trained at the Royal Ballet School, she had danced with the London Festival Ballet before turning to acting.

The following taken from :-25 Yeas of Emmerdale (1997) repubublsihed as "The Emmerdale Companion" (1998) by Anthony Hayward

Amanda Wenban, who left her role as Angharad McAllister in 1995, went on to appear in other serials in both Britain and Australia. Australian-born, she returned to her homeland and took roles in both Home and Away and Echo Point but flew back to Britain the following year to play bitchy Ruth Tyler in the second series of the steamy Granada Television serial Revelations.

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