Angelica King – portrayed by Rebecca Bakes – made her return to our screens following her stint at a secure children’s home for her involvement in the tragic death of her friend Heath Hope several months back, though she isn’t the first actress to embody this character on Emmerdale. It comes as Mack is feared dead after John seemingly murdered him. Though some fans are convinced he’ll make a miraculous return.
Sadly, back in 2009, Sophie Firth briefly appeared in the ITV soap as Jimmy and Nicola King’s daughter Angelica over a three-month period, before her life was cut short in a devastating accident at just three years old.
Sophie was visiting her grandmother’s residence in South Yorkshire in December 2012 when her dress became engulfed in flames from a gas fire. The youngster was scheduled to portray an angel in her nursery nativity the following week, but tragedy struck as she enthusiastically tried on the costume to show her grandmother.
Her heartbroken family revealed she had leaned towards a gas fire and the hem of her dress made contact with the flame, instantly erupting into a ball of fire.
Despite Sophie’s mother Amy’s desperate attempts to extinguish the flames using a blanket, 70% of Sophie’s body sustained severe burns. Following nine days of treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sophie tragically succumbed to a blood infection, reports the Mirror.
Her parents Neil and Amy issued a statement at the time, mourning the loss of their “bright and beautiful” little girl. They expressed that they would “carry their little princess in their arms forever”.
An Emmerdale spokesperson expressed their sorrow at the time, stating: “We are devastated to hear of Sophie’s tragic death. Our sincere condolences go out to her family. Everyone at Emmerdale is thinking of them at this sad time.”
In a similar vein, a representative for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue commented: “This was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends at this extremely distressing time.
“Any fire can be dangerous. We would urge people to pay particular attention to the risk of fires in their home during the cold weather and as we approach the holiday season.”
Since the heartbreaking loss of Sophie, her parents have been raising funds for charities in her memory, including The Children’s Hospital Charity – their JustGiving page has already amassed nearly £23,000.
On the fundraising page, they penned: “Anyone who ever met Sophie knows not only was she beautiful but she was exceptionally bright, loving and funny. Her family and friends miss her more than words can say; our anguish at the loss of such a young and promising life is too much to bear.
“Her mum Amy and Dad Neil cannot imagine life without Sophie. Sophie was three and a half (and the half mattered), just by being Sophie she said and did so many things that brought joy to our lives, she was at the centre of everything she did and the heart of the family.”