Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi has revealed how she REALLY feels about being axed from the soap after 16 years.

Wednesday night’s instalment of the ITV show saw Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) die in hospital, H๏τ on the heels of Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough) pᴀssing away – and there are two other characters reportedly going to be killed off. 

They were both involved in the limo car crash, which saw the vehicle plunge into a frozen lake. 

Roxy’s first appeared in the village as her alter-ego Leyla between 2008 and 2011, and her second stint was between 2013 and 2025. 

Viewers watched Leyla’s son Jacob Gallagher try and save her in hospital – and the soap star admitted that they were both very emotional on set.  

Speaking to The Sun, Roxy said: ‘My exit was really explosive and my scenes with Joe-Warren Plant were brutal.

Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi reveals how she REALLY feels about being axed after 16 years – breaking silence on her character Lelya Harding’s death which left her ‘crying real tears’ on set

Wednesday night’s instalment of the ITV show saw Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) die in hospital after Suzy Merton – and there are two other characters are reportedly going to be killed off

‘I have watched Joe grow up on the soap and, when we were filming these scenes, I would see him have a little wobble. And then I would go. 

‘We were awful because we were just constantly crying! It really worked well for Joe with his scenes. 

‘But at one point, I was supposed to be ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and I had tears streaming down my eyes. I was a weeping corpse.

‘We filmed the crash at night and unfortunately I was ill for four days.

‘I’d only ever had one day off in the 16 years I had been there, and I was worried this would cause a big issue. But our producer, Laura Shaw, was amazing.’

Recalling the moment that she found out that she was leaving the soap, Roxy added to the publication: ‘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.

‘Emmerdale becomes a fabric of your existence to a huge degree.

Roxy has been on the soap for a number of years – pictured with co-star Matthew Meltcalfe, who played David Metcalfe in the ITV soap 

Read More Emmerdale legend ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after 16 years on soap as fans break down in tears over harrowing final scenes

‘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.’

Leyla died due to ‘severe blood loss’ after sustaining an injury in the crash, where ice impaled her stomach. 

Some viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on the devastating scenes. 

One posted on X: ‘Just finished watching tonight’s episode of #Emmerdale it was brilliant but so heartbreaking the directing, writing and acting is just unbelievable #Robron.’;

‘No spoilers but another amazing episode. How heartbreakingly cruel but so well acted. I was bawling #Emmerdale is back and on fire again. #robron.’

‘Wish I’d never watched tonight’s #Emmerdale this early! I’m absolutely gutted. Even though the second death was obvious but still. Those scenes were powerful.’;

The next instalment – which is already available on ITVX – reveals it was Leyla who pᴀssed away

Harrowing scenes, set to air tonight, show Leyla’s son Jacob discover her lifeless body in the hospital he was working at

‘I’m never gonna get over how cruel her death storyline has been! Goodnight Ley #emmerdale.’; ‘Well, I’m absolutely sobbing. #emmerdale.’

It comes after last year, when it was reported that Roxy had quit Emmerdale after 16 years on screens.

Back in October it was claimed that her character, who she had played since 2008, would be killed off in upcoming scenes. 

A source previously told The Sun: ‘Roxy has adored her time on the soap and has made so many happy memories since first joining when she was 17.

‘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.’

Over the years Roxy’s alter ego has briefly worked as a pole dancer but now has a career as an events planner. 

Some viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on the devastating scenes

Some of her most prominent storylines include becoming a drug addict and being sH๏τ by the villainous Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu).

The character was married to Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) from 2021 until 2023, but the relationship ended when he was unfaithful.

Roxy’s character is the biological mother of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant), but this was not revealed until 2010 as he had previously been adopted. 

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.