Emmerdale is the unhealthiest show in soapland based on the lifestyles of its characters, according to a study by The Co-operative Food.

Research found 79 per cent of all food-related scenes in the Yorkshire-based soap featured unhealthy eating, and more than half of all the drinks consumed, or made reference to, were alcoholic.

The ITV programme also had the most examples of adults drinking alcohol in front of children.

Working with Liverpool John Moores University Business School, more than 830 scenes of the UK’s four most popular soaps - Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks - were analysed over a two-week period to provide an in-depth character examination.

Janet Taylor, diet and health manager at The Co-operative Food, said: “I’m a self-confessed soap addict, but this study clearly highlights the irresponsible approach taken to diet and health by the scriptwriters.”