Emmerdale legend Roxy Shahidi is leaving soap after 16 years and will be killed off

Leyla Harding first arrived in Emmerdale in 2008 but will sadly lose her life on screen as actress Roxy Shahidi has decided to quit the ITV show after 16 years

Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi is leaving the ITV soap after 16 years - and her character Leyla Harding will be killed off.

The surprising news comes months after Roxy starred on Dancing on Ice, as well as appearing on ITV reality series Drama Queens.

Sources close to the star say Roxy is keen to try something new in her career.

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"Roxy has adored her time on the soap and has made so many happy memories since first joining when she was 17," an insider told The Sun.

"The cast have become like family to her and she has grown so much as an actress, but now feels like the perfect time to spread her wings and try something new.

"She is 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."

Roxy is based in Nottingham, where she lives with her husband, actor Arsher Ali, and their six-year-old daughter.

The soap star recently spoke about her love of Emmerdale and pride in playing Leyla.

She said: "I absolutely love being in a soap like Emmerdale, because you’re able to grow your character over the years. It’s a process you don’t really get on many other dramas. And I’m so lucky to play Leyla, because she’s such a fun character."

Fans of the ITV soap will know that Leyla has had some pretty big storylines over the years, such as being shot, becoming a pole dancer, and hiding her addiction to drugs.

In real life, Roxy couldn't be more different to her onscreen character. She is a trained yoga instructor and is passionate about wellness.

The revelation over her exit comes as Emmerdale fans noticed Leyla hasn't been on screen much lately. However, this will surely change in time for her dramatic exit from the show.

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