Leyla Harding passed away in last night’s episode of Emmerdale (Wednesday, February 19), and fans aren’t okay about her death.
The much-loved character passed away in an ambulance (all alone) on the way to the hospital following the limo crash.
And, fans aren’t happy with the soap’s decision to kill Leyla off (and we’re not impressed either!) Now, Roxy Shahidi has addressed her exit in a new interview.
Emmerdale: Leyla Harding’s death
Leyla thought that the girls’ night out in the limo was going to be the perfect chance to kill her loneliness. But, it ended up killing her instead.
The poor wedding planner ended up being a passenger in a limo crash, as Charity swerved Noah in the road and ended up crashing the vehicle into a frozen lake.
Leyla did her best to hide her injury from everyone else. But, Kerry realised something was up when Leyla failed to move. Kerry then dragged her on the ice and to ‘safety’ but Leyla’s stomach was badly injured and impaled by some glass…
Losing blood, Leyla died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Jacob found the news out on shift in A&E. Running into a morgue (without permission – okay), Jacob then saw his dead mum lying perfectly still.
He then tried to give her CPR but, of course, his efforts were in vain because Leyla was well and truly dead. Heartbreaking.
Fans devastated over Leyla’s death as she ‘deserved better’
With Leyla being killed off after almost 17 years on the soap, fans have been left devastated over her exit.
They think that she deserved better than to die in the limo crash, being such a huge part of the show over the years. And, we can see why they’re upset. We didn’t even get to see her die on screen… and for such a huge character, we reckon she should’ve at least been given a death in the Thursday hour-long episode where all the big events usually happen.
And to have her so lonely and having to witness her ex-husband propose to another woman just moments before her death was just cruel!
One fan complained: “RIP Leyla Harding you deserved so much better than the utter [bleep] exit you got x”
Another person shared: “Killing off Leyla is the worst thing these [bleep] could have done! Why not send her to Portugal to live with her sister? She deserved better.”
A third fan commented: “OMG…….. Emmerdale has got me tearing up! The way they killed Leyla off, and her storyline beforehand? Ohhhh they did her character so dirty! Poor Jacob.”
Roxy Shahidi opens up on Leyla death
Actress Roxy Shahidi has now spoken out on her Emmerdale exit on today’s episode of Loose Women (Thursday, February 20).
She has revealed that the decision to kill off Leyla came as a ‘shock’ but she’s now embraced the opportunity.
“I genuinely am so excited about a new chapter. That’s what life’s about, isn’t it? You’ve got to do new things, you’ve got to challenge yourself. And, sometimes, when you’re forced to do that, it’s the best thing that can happen otherwise you’ll just stay within your comfort zone.”
She then revealed that she was ‘heartbroken’ over leaving her ‘second family’ at Emmerdale behind.
“To have been in a show like that for 16 years is such a blessing, it’s something you can’t take for granted. We’re always aware each year, most of us are on yearly contracts so you never know.
“To have done 16 years, I am so grateful, but when I got that call because I kind of knew something was happening… it was a shock.
“When it’s such an epic story, you know it’s going to happen and I think your job is just to process that, do the best you can, and just keep going.”
Read more: Emmerdale: Chas to develop painkiller addiction, new fan theory predicts
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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