After 16 memorable years on Emmerdale, actress Roxy Shahidi is bidding farewell to the beloved ITV soap.
Her character Leyla Harding is set to meet a dramatic end fitting for the explosive character.
The character, who made her arrival way back in 2008, is mum to Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) and the ex-wife of Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson).
The 41-year-old actress, who has been a staple on the show since her debut, will have her character killed off in an intense exit storyline that promises to leave fans shaken.
The news of Shahidi’s departure comes after a stellar year in her career, which saw her take part in Dancing on Ice and ITV’s reality series Drama Queens.
A source close to the actress told The Sun of her excitement about this new chapter: ‘Roxy has adored her time on the soap and has made so many happy memories since first joining when she was just 17.
‘The cast have become like family to her, and she has grown so much as an actress. But now, she feels it’s the perfect time to spread her wings and try something new.’
While the details of Leyla Harding’s death are being kept under wraps, it’s clear that the storyline will be a major event in Emmerdale.
Shahidi is thrilled to have such a powerful exit, with the source adding: ‘She’s really excited about her meaty exit storyline, which will see her character Leyla die on screen. She’d rather go out in a blaze of glory and be remembered.’
Recently, fans spotted a big hint to her exit in a previous episode, which gave fans a glimpse into the future with three different possible scenarios for Belle Dingle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) future.
Fearing the worst, a user on X wrote: ‘Emmerdale have known Roxy was leaving for ages, that flashforward episode where Belle and Suzy were co-owners of Take A Vow… no sign of Leyla, that was probably the first hint.’
Shahidi first joined Emmerdale in 2008, quickly becoming a fan favorite with her portrayal of Leyla, a charismatic wedding planner.
Over the years, her character has been at the heart of several dramatic plotlines, from turbulent romances and family conflicts to overcoming personal struggles like addiction.
In interviews, Roxy has often spoken fondly about her time on the show.
She recently expressed her deep love for Emmerdale, telling fans how much she appreciates the opportunity to play such a dynamic character for so long: ‘It’s been an incredible journey. The people I’ve worked with over the years have become like family, and I’ll always cherish the memories we’ve made together.’
For fans, however, saying goodbye to Leyla Harding will be bittersweet as her character has been a fixture in the Emmerdale village for more than a decade.
It’s clear the actress is ready to expand beyond Emmerdale.
‘She’s excited to try something new. This is just the beginning of a whole new chapter for her,’ the source concluded.
The news comes after fans noticed they were seeing much less of Leyla.
Leyla’s life has been significantly quieter this year. Following the breakdown in her marriage to Liam, Leyla took centre stage in a storyline that highlighted her secret addiction to drugs.
Last year, Leyla attempted to take down her drug dealer Callum, but it resulted in the man taking her hostage and tying her up in a remote cabin in the woods.
But as the drama settled down, we haven’t actually seen Leyla at all this autumn, setting the stage for her imminent exit.
This article was first published on October 5, 2024.
