It has been reported that Lesley Dunlop will exit Emmerdale as Brenda Walker, but it’s not yet known how she’ll leave the Dales.
A source told The Mirror: “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.”
As speculation has already begun over what Brenda’s exit storyline will be, we’ve taken a look at the theories floating around.
How will Brenda leave Emmerdale?
It has been a traumatic year for Brenda, as she went through a relationship crisis with partner Eric Pollard following his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
She was also devastated when surrogate son Heath was killed in a car crash after Angelica lost control of the wheel.
Lesley, who is married to co-star Chris Chittell in real life, has been a part of Emmerdale for 16 years. Will her character face more trauma before her exit?
1. Brenda to die?
Ten years ago, Brenda survived a brain tumour. Fans have suggested that this could come back or that she’ll meet a grisly end another way.
Brenda and Eric are happy in their relationship, so some viewers feel death would be the only realistic exit for Brenda.
“Surely it means they will be killing her off as she wouldn’t leave Eric unless he’s dying so she leaves?,” one fan wrote in an Emmerdale fan Facebook group.
Another fan agreed, writing: “She’s hardly been in it this year. I’ve got a feeling Brenda will die.”
2. Brenda to move to Canada
In 2013, Brenda’s adoptive daughter, Gennie, died after being suffocated by Cameron following a car accident.
Gennie had a young daughter, Mollie, who lives with her father Nikhil in Canada. Could Brenda decide to move closer to her granddaughter?
“It’ll break Pollard’s heart when she offs to Canada to be with Nikhil and our Genesis’ kid,” wrote one fan on X.
3. Brenda and Eric to leave together
With many viewers struggling to see a way Brenda will leave without Eric, some have suggested that perhaps Eric will go too.
“I’m hoping she and Eric just gets in a taxi and leaves. Perhaps moving to be closer to David? Since they are a couple irl he could see this as an opportunity to retire. I don’t want to lose Eric, but it’s better than him mourning yet another partner,” wrote one fan on Reddit.
Another fan agreed, writing: “Yeah that sounds good, especially as they are married in real life. Jacob could go with them.”
A third viewer suggested that Eric’s Parkinson’s story could be revisited as part of their exit. “His exit story perhaps? He could be leaving with Brenda for specialist care.”
Read more:Â Complete Emmerdale cast list 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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