Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken as Roxy Shahidi, who played Leyla Harding,

bid farewell to the beloved ITV soap.

Shahidi, who had been part of the show since 2008,

recently opened up about her unexpected departure following the dramatic Valentine’s Day limousine crash that shook the village.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the 41-year-old actress admitted that the news of her character’s demise came as a shock.

“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,” she shared.

Having been part of Emmerdale for over a decade, Shahidi expressed how deeply intertwined her life had become with the show.

“Emmerdale becomes a fabric of your existence to a huge degree. It’s not just about the joy of the work, it’s the joy of the people and community. There are times when you have a big story where you will spend more time with your work family than you do at home.”

The emotional weight of her final scenes was evident, as she recalled breaking down on set during filming. “At one point, I was supposed to be dead and I had tears streaming down my eyes. I was a weeping corpse,” she admitted. The demanding night shoots took a toll on her, resulting in illness for four days, a rare occurrence for the dedicated actress who had only taken a single day off in her 16-year tenure. Fortunately, Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw was understanding and supportive during this time.

Shahidi, who is married to actor Arsher Ali and shares a six-year-old daughter with him, expressed mixed emotions about leaving the show. “Of course, it’s sad to see my character die, 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.”

With her departure now behind her, the actress is looking ahead to new opportunities. “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.”

Leyla’s shocking exit came amid the tragic aftermath of the limo crash, which also claimed the life of her Take a Vow business partner, Suzy Merton. Fans had speculated about Shahidi’s exit after rumors surfaced last year, but many had hoped her character’s departure would leave room for a future return. Instead, Leyla’s fate was sealed in a devastating storyline that saw her pass away in the hospital, with her son Jacob Gallagher mourning her loss.

As Emmerdale moves forward, viewers will undoubtedly miss Shahidi’s portrayal of Leyla Harding. However, with the actress eager to embrace n