Edna Birch is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Shirley Stelfox. She made her first appearance during the episode first broadcast on 25 May 2000. Edna is characterised as a proud and independent Christian woman who often judges her neighbours' lifestyles. She is recognisable amongst the public for her pudding-basin hat and dog – firstly, Batley the Yorkshire Terrier, followed by Papillon Tootsie. Many of her stories have involved her dogs, including being run over saving Tootsie and the death of Batley, which won an award. Writers have established friendships for Edna with many characters of a similar age and in later years, she was paired with Sandy Thomas (Freddie Jones), which generated many comedic scenes. The character's family have appeared across multiple stints. The introduction of her estranged sister, Lily Butterfield (Anne Charleston), created a new story for Edna as it is revealed that her son is in fact her nephew. In 2012, the character was used to explore the issue of pride amidst financial difficulties. During the story, Edna faces having to pay for Tootsie's medical bills, a burglary at her home, debts and eventually, a collapse. Stelfox died in December 2015 after portraying Edna for fifteen years. The character's final scenes were broadcast prior to her death, in the episode first broadcast on 26 October, and she was killed off-screen in May 2016. The character and Stelfox's performances were widely praised by viewers and critics alike. Simon Farquhar of The Independent opined that Stelfox had established Edna as "one of the best loved characters on the programme in years". Storylines Having lived in the village for many years, Edna first appears when she opposes the matching of local vicar Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and pub landlady Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles). Edna is pleased when her teenage granddaughter Eve Birch (Raine Davison) comes to live with her, however, Eve becomes involved in a hit-and-run accident with her boyfriend, Marc Reynolds (Anthony Lewis), which kills her teacher. Eve manipulates Edna into believing Marc is a bad influence and Edna refuses to believe stories of Eve's misbehaviour until her friend Betty Eagleton (Paula Tilbrook) spots Eve kicking Edna's beloved dog Batley (Bracken). Finally seeing her true colours, Edna sends Eve back to live with her father, Peter Birch (Philip Bird), in France. Edna is heartbroken when Batley becomes ill and has to be put