Emmerdale‘s Lisa Riley has spoken about the exit of Paula Lane, saying she is “gutted” by her co-star’s departure.
Lane made her final appearance as Ella Forster on Thursday (April 3), with tensions coming to a head as she confronted her ex-boyfriend Liam Cavanagh. After a fiery conversation, Ella injured Liam, with the character sobbing as she was taken away by police.
Riley, whose character Mandy Dingle forged a friendship with Ella, addressed Lane’s exit with a heartfelt post on Instagram, sharing that her co-star had been a “pure joy” to work with over the past year.
“Going to miss you @paula_laney I am missing you,” began Riley, who shared a selfie of her alongside Lane. “You have been a pure joy, and a great friend both on and off screen, since the first scene we did all that time ago, you know I’m so so so gutted you are leaving.
“But I’m also really excited to see what’s next for you, and the amazing roles you are going to play. Especially CHIEF INSPECTOR DERRY😜😜😜😆😆😆 GOOD LUCK BABES, you are one of the absolute best. It’s been bloody ace and such a good laugh!!! @emmerdale #emmerdale #goodluck.”
𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 & 𝑾𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆: C𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬.𝙞𝒏𝙛𝒐
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Lane, who made her debut on the ITV soap in January 2024, responded to Riley in the comment section, writing: “❤️ Aw Lisa 🥰 thank you for being such a guiding light. 💛 I miss you all too xxx”
Despite making her exit, Lane stated in a behind-the-scenes video that she would be open to reprising her role in the future, teasing: “[Ella] is a brilliant character and, you know, never say never. Who knows? Lots of love from me. Over and out.”
“I just want to say thank you all for your support and your messages, and I hope you get to see me on some new dramas in the future, or on stage, or wherever life now takes me in my career,” she added in the clip, which was recorded on her final day of filming.
