Sam’s life is on the line (Picture: ITV)

Emmerdale’s dramatic 50th anniversary week is underway and one character we’re particularly worried about is Sam Dingle (James Hooton).

Not only has he been faced with a herd of stampeding cattle, but he’s also fallen victim to a terrible accident. As a storm wreaks havoc on the village, Sam has ended up impaled on a piece of farm machinery.

In a masterpiece of understatement, James Hooton observed that this incident is ‘a bit of a break from the norm’ for his character.

‘You never know what this show is going to throw at you,’ he exclaimed to Metro.co.uk. ‘I was told this was happening, obviously you don’t know what the outcome is going to be of a story such as this.

‘We and the viewers don’t know at the end of the episode whether Sam lives or dies.’

As Sam fights for his life, elsewhere Lydia (Karen Blick) is with Amelia (Daisy Campbell) as she prepares to give birth to Sam and Lydia’s grandchild in a barn in the middle of the storm.

James says this event will usher in a new chapter for his branch of the Dingle family.

Sam was last seen impaled by a tractor (Picture: ITV)

‘He’s played my son for many years,’ he said of Sam Hall, who has been alter ego Samson since 2009.

‘He’s coming into his own now, given this huge responsibility with this storyline where he becomes a parent.

‘He doesn’t want that responsibility so it’s a great juxtaposition with the Dingles, particularly Sam and Lydia who are all about family and looking after each other.

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‘Samson is the opposite end of the scale and doesn’t want this baby or to be a father or want the responsibility.

‘It’s just been a joy to see him flourish as an actor and portray this particular perspective as well as he has done has just been incredible,’ James added.

But will Sam survive to find out whether Samson eventually steps up to be a father? Or will there be tragedy for the Dingles?

MORE : Emmerdale boss reveals anniversary ends with life changing ‘big bang’ which ‘goes into next year’

MORE : Emmerdale boss confirms ‘deaths and destruction’ – and a cow stampede

Sam is in a seriously bad way – so what next?