TV Guide reports that to celebrate Emmerdale’s landmark 40th anniversary, some of the soap’s female stars past and present will be headed to the Loose Women studios where they’ll feature in a special ‘Divas of the Dales’ week of shows.

Starting on Monday, October 1st, the special editions of Loose Women will feature actresses Claire King, Sheree Murphy, Gaynor Faye, Sian Reeves and Lorraine Chase, and it seems that all the actresses are thrilled about becoming temporary Loose Women!

Claire, who of course played village super-bitch Kim Tate – said, “I’ve enjoyed guesting on ‘Loose Women’ many times and I’m thrilled to be switching seats to join as a panellist for the day.

“It’s really exciting. Next week we’ve got all the behind-the-scenes gossip from ‘Emmerdale’ and I’ll be there to lend a hand! I can’t wait!”

And Gaynor, who of course plays the role of Megan Macey, added, “I can’t wait to join the lovely ‘Loose Women’ who certainly know how to party and with Emmerdale’s 40th celebrations around the corner I’m looking forward to a lively chat!”

Lorraine Chase, whose character Steph Forsythe was sent to prison in 2006, said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Loose Women panel for the day to celebrate 40 years of ‘Emmerdale’.

“Steph was such a fabulous character for me to play and it’s great to be part of the celebrations.”

And Loose Women’s bosses are equally delighted to have the Dales Dames on the show!

Executive Producer Sharon Powers said, “I’m really looking forward to watching five iconic ‘Emmerdale’ actresses joining the real-life soap opera that is ‘Loose Women’.

“I can’t wait to hear all the gossip from the Dales plus new takes on the topics of the day.”

And of course, the anniversary’s jewel in the crown is its live episode, during which we’ll see births, marriages and even a death!

Of their characters becoming parents during the hour-long live show, Sian Reese-Williams and Rik Makarem – who play Gennie Walker and Nikhil Sharma – have told viewers to expect a lot of emotion when baby Sharma puts in an appearance.

Sian said, “Because we work ahead, we already have a baby. We’ve been working with a couple of babies, who are both great.”

Digital Spy report that she added, “I don’t really have much experience of babies, so the first time I held one was in a scene!

“I was literally handed the baby in a take, but I think I did okay.”

Rik added, “Because we’re so used to each other as actors, we’re usually quite relaxed on set.

“But having a baby on set raised the stakes a little bit – it meant that the focus was on the baby and getting through the scene.

“Tony Prescott is directing the anniversary, including the episode after the live broadcast where the baby is here.

“He’s told us that the aftermath scenes are some of the most beautiful moments that he’s shot.”

I’m so excited for the live episode. Are you?