Emmerdale’s Leyla Harding star breaks silence after character is k.i.l.l.e.d off after 16 years
Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken after Leyla Harding was k.i.l.l.e.d off
Earlier this week, Emmerdale’s Leyla Harding (played by Roxy Shahidi) was involved in a limo crash, which ended up taking her life. Leyla’s business partner, Suzy (Martelle Edinborough), also d.i.e.d in the heartbreaking scenes.
Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) was driving the limo that crashed and ended up submerged in a frozen lake. The villagers involved were rushed to the hospital, and while two have d.i.e.d already, the other villagers’ lives hang in the balance.
Speaking about her unexpected exit, the actress who plays Leyla admitted she didn’t want to be k.i.l.l.e.d off from the ITV soap. She said: “When I first found out, I was very shocked. I had been in the show for a long time and I wasn’t expecting this news.”
Roxy has played Leyla since 2008 and is the mother of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).
While filming the crash and hospital scenes, the actress admitted when she was “supposed to be d.e.a.d” she had tears streaming down her face.
Despite leaving the Dales after 16 years, Roxy said while it is a sad way to depart, she is very much looking forward to the future and what opportunities may arise for her.
She added to The Sun: : “Of course it’s sad to see my character d.i.e, and I have loved playing Leyla because she is so funny, camp and a brilliant character. But at the same time, if I had left it another five years, I might not have felt as excited as I do now.
“I have had a long time to process everything and I am looking forward to my next chapter. I’ve always wanted to explore other things and now I’ve got the opportunity.”
In heartbreaking scenes that aired on Wednesday night, Jacob found out his mother had d.ie..d while working his shift at the hospital.
The junior doctor begged his colleague to save his mother, but it was too late. “She wouldn’t leave me,” Jacob sobbed. “She wouldn’t leave her son.”
As the doctor tried to comfort him, Jacob shouted: “Let me help her!”
“Jacob, you need to stop, your mum passed away before she arrived at the hospital,” the doctor continued. “She d.i.e.d from severe bloody loss. I am sorry.”
Fans think Leyla’s sister, Alicia (Natalie Anderson), or David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden), could make a return following her d.e.a.t.h.
“I wonder if David will make an appearance to support Jacob,” one fan questioned while another replied: “I think I saw David was possibly returning.”
Another theorised: “I want Alicia to come back and support him.”
“And maybe Alicia,” one agreed.
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV.
