Who’s leaving Emmerdale? A complete guide to exits, returns and newcomers to the Dales
Rumours suggest Paula Lane’s Ella is the next cast member to leave
The Emmerdale cast changes regularly, but who’s leaving Emmerdale next? The village is always busy with comings and goings, and this year is proving to be no different! We’ve recently said goodbye to Nate Robinson, and also waved off Samson Dingle, Suni Sharma, Nicky Miligan and Ethan Anderson this year.
And we’ve welcomed back Ross Barton!
And there is more drama to come in the shape of exits and entrances. Here’s the lowdown on who we’re going to be meeting and who’s saying farewell to the Dales.
Who’s leaving Emmerdale?
Will Taylor was the most recent exit to air on-screen as he shocked the nation with his death this Christmas.
On Christmas Day, Will and Kim held a vow renewal before Joe Tate rocked up and told Kim all about Will’s plan to get revenge on her. It turned out that whilst Will thought that Joe (or Jamie as he mistakenly thought) was on his side, he’d been double-crossed.
The stress (or so we think) got too much for Will and he ended up collapsing to the ground and bringing the Home Farm Christmas tree down with him.
He then suffered a heart attack but Kim mistook this for a panic attack and failed to help him, instead powdering her nose and relishing in his suffering.
It was only when Joe Tate turned up and recognised the signs of a heart attack that Kim sprung into action. But, it was too late and Will passed away. Brutal.
Ella Forster
Actress Paula Lane is reportedly leaving the show in 2025. Paula has played the role of Ella Forster in Emmerdale since the beginning of the year, but it looks like an exit is already set.
The news was revealed on Paula’s own talent Spotlight page, which is linked in her Instagram bio. It states that while she is currently playing Ella in Emmerdale, she is set to finish filming in February 2025. This suggests the character’s Emmerdale exit will appear on the screen in spring time. Emmerdale Insider reached out to Emmerdale who told us they do not comment on cast contracts.
Ella has been part of some huge storylines this year. She quickly became friends with Mandy Dingle and found a romantic spark with Liam Cavanagh. But it all fell apart when it was revealed she had killed a friend of hers during her childhood, and was jailed for a long time
Ella was then pregnant with Liam’s baby and she hoped to rekindle their romance. But she tragically lost the baby, and Liam’s focus was on his feelings for Chas Dingle.
Just last week Ella found out the pair are now giving their relationship a go, and fans have predicted Ella will let her ‘psycho’ side out.
But could this be what leads to her exit?
Who else is leaving Emmerdale?
Brenda Walker
A report in The Mirror has suggested Lesley Dunlop is leaving her role as Brenda Walker after 16 years. The exit has not been officially announced and Emmerdale has declined to comment.
A source told the publication: “There have been so many exits recently and the talk is of more. With people like Lesley and Roxy potentially in the mix, nobody feels safe.
“The show has grown a lot bigger in recent years but soaps are expensive to make. It’s inevitable saving money means losing people – but it’s a huge shame all the same for those involved, their friends and colleagues.”
Brenda owns the local cafe alongside Nicola King. She is the partner of Eric Pollard and has helped him through his Parkinson’s diagnosis. At the start of this year Brenda was left devastated when her stepson, Heath, was killed in a car accident.
Currently Brenda has no idea Eric has taken their life savings and invested it in a bogus cryptocurrency scheme. She’s sure to find out before too long as all their accounts are empty. But will she forgive him? Or could this cause her to leave?
In real life Lesley is married to Chris Chittell who plays Eric.
Amelia Spencer
It’s been announced that Daisy Campbell, who plays Amelia Spencer, is leaving Emmerdale after 13 years.
Amelia’s has been in a relationship with domestic abuser Tom King, leaving fans worried she might meet a sad end, though Daisy has said the door is being left open so she could return.
Recently she finally saw the light about the man she had been defending and helped the police to catch him. Tom has tried to get her back on side, but she has refused to be put on his prison call list.
So what finally forces Amelia out of Emmerdale? She’s struggling with the shame and guilt of not believing Belle, has spraypainted Jimmy and Nicola’s door with the word ‘scum’ and is feeling lost and alone. Will she leave the village to seek a new life away from all her past trauma?
Tom King
Evil Tom King’s campaign of abuse against poor Belle is due to be resolved at the end of the year. Actor James Chase is said to be leaving the show and fans are already speculating how he departs.
Currently Tom is in prison after he was caught out spying on Belle. Cops – including the wonderful DS Foy – had enough evidence to charge Tom with coercive and controlling behaviour. Although he was let out on bail, he decided to skip the country and thanks to some very clever work by Belle, his escape was foiled and he was caught before he could board the ferry.
However, that was not the last we’ve seen of Tom. He is trying all he can to lie and manipulate his way out of prison. He’s set to get cousin Angelica on board to try and fight his case.
And with his trial set for before Christmas Tom is on his way out of the show one way or another – but will it be a lengthy stint in prison? Or a life of freedom?
Leyla Harding
Reports have emerged that Leyla Harding, who’s played by Roxy Shahidi, is to leave the show in dramatic fashion!
Last month, it was rumoured that Leyla will be departing Emmerdale forever! Stories hit the press suggesting that Leyla could be killed off in explosive scenes.
Fans have been speculating wildly about how Leyla might shuffle off this mortal coil with some viewers even suggesting serial killer Meena Jutla could return to finish Leyla off.
Meanwhile, other fans have suggested evil Tom King could strike the killer blow, or someone else entirely.
We’re frankly devastated by the very idea of Leyla leaving and taking faint hope from the fact that the good people at Emmerdale haven’t confirmed or denied the rumours.
Who’s joining Emmerdale?
Emmerdale has not released any upcoming casting information.
Who’s returning to Emmerdale?
Well we don’t know details, but show boss Iain MacLeod told Digital Spy back in September: “This Christmas, there is a huge surprise arrival on Christmas Day. As well as some life or death jeopardy on Christmas Day – but obviously there will be festive brilliance as we do every year – but I think it is one of the most exciting Christmases that I can remember on Emmerdale this year!”
Speculation is now rife that the ‘surprise arrival’ will in fact be a return. Many fans think Pete Barton will come home, now his brother Ross is settling in the village again.
Others think Joe Tate, who may or may not be plotting against Kim (could be just wishful thinking) will be back. And some are hoping (still) for the Robert Sugden comeback they’ve been calling for. Just as John and Aaron are set for a happy Christmas together, could Robert come back to stir up the pot?
Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list for 2024
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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