Former Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi has teased her future career role plans on another soap following her exit as Leyla Harding.
Roxy’s character Leyla Harding was killed off from the Dales-based soap last month in a tragic limo crash.
Now, Roxy’s already thinking about switching Emmerdale village up for Weatherfield…
Leyla died after being injured in the limo crash (Credit: ITV)
Leyla’s death in Emmerdale
Last month, a huge limo crash rocked the Dales as it claimed the lives of Suzy, Amy and Leyla.
Hoping that a great night out would cure her loneliness, Leyla put on a sparkly outfit and ‘got into that limo if it killed her.’ And, well, it did.
A piece of glass sadly went straight through Leyla’s stomach, causing her to lose consciousness. Kerry dragged her across the ice but as soon as she got into an ambulance… she died.
Jacob was devastated as he found his dead mum lying in the morgue whilst he was working on shift in A&E. Talk about traumatising.
Despite dying a couple of weeks back, Leyla’s final scenes however actually aired last night (Thursday, Â March 6).
Leyla narrated her own funeral, with flashbacks then seeing her uncover several secrets of other villagers’ before she passed. What an iconic ending for an iconic character.
Roxy is eyeing up a role on Corrie (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi teases hopes for future role on rival soap
With her final scenes in Emmerdale as Leyla Harding having now aired on screen, actress Roxy Shahidi has now spoken out about what’s next for her career.
As well as continuing with her yoga business, Roxy has shared other exciting plans for the future.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Roxy shared: “I’m really excited about doing more podcasts with Matthew Wolfenden and maybe doing some presenting. I also write, so I want to do more writing. I want to keep acting, too.
She added: “I just would like to do lots of different things, now that I’ve got the freedom to try my hand at new projects and just see what happens. I just want to go on a bit of an adventure and allow things to be unpredictable.”
She then teased which other shows she’d love to work on, with one being ITV rival soap, Corrie.
“Coronation Street would be good. I also wouldn’t mind doing a continuing drama – I’d love to maybe do Waterloo Road.” Could we see Roxy rocking up on the cobbles in the coming years?
It’s been an emotional time to be an Emmerdale fan – with last week’s limo crash episodes serving as farewell to Leyla Harding, Suzy Merton and Amy Barton, all in one fell sweep.
With three residents succumbing to a perilous limousine crash on the outskirts of town, viewers were shocked as the soap killed off the women, one after the other.
First up, Suzy. The party planner was killed during the initial impact as the limo crashed onto an ice-covered lake. Next up, Leyla. She had been mortally injured during the crash. She survived long enough for Kerry to pull her for the car, but died in the ambulance on the way to hospital.
Finally, Amy. Poor Amy crashed through the ice (hi Nate) and later died in hospital from the shock. This week, as the village mourns its losses, viewers attempt to come to terms with the death of three major characters.
But what have the actors said about their death scenes?
Poor Suzy was the first to die (Credit: ITV)
Suzy was the first to die in Emmerdale limo crash
As the first to die, actress Martelle Edinborough paid tribute to her character in the episode’s aftermath. Writing on X, she said: “And just like that….Suzy is no more and a new chapter begins!! What an ep!”
She continued: “It’s been such a blessing to have been a part of such an iconic show that I grew up on and loved by so many!!”
Martelle followed up with a post to her Instagram account, where she shared a series of images from behind the scenes of the crash.
In the caption, she wrote: “Well what a Week!!! I am not OK! Talk about an emotional rollercoaster!! Suzy, Leyla, Amy!!”
She continued: “I genuinely haven’t known where to start with this post as there’s so much I want to say and my brain has not been braining so it’s taken a minute. But I’m going to start by saying firstly how beyond blessed and grateful I feel to have been given the chance to bring Suzy Merton to life on your screens!!
“Emmerdale has one of the most incredible fan bases and I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I have been at the amount lovely messages I’ve received this week and for all the love you have shown for Suzy! I did not know she was loved this much to the point you guys had her trending, which I will never get over! Haha but it’s been so beautiful to see so THANK YOU!!!”
In her full statement, she went on to thank the production team and her fellow cast members, thanking the show for having her.
She finished: “Yes, I kept the Orange Coat!”
Leyla was stabbed when the limo crashed (Credit: ITV)
Leyla killed in Emmerdale limo crash
The soap revealed last year that actress Roxy Shahidi would be leaving the soap after almost 16 years. This led to much speculation among viewers whether she had been killed off, or quit of her own accord.
“I genuinely am so excited about a new chapter,” she told the panel. “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 continued: “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.”
Amy was the third victim of the limo crash (Credit: ITV)
Posting to her Instagram account, she wrote: “Goodbye Amy. I have had the best six years of my life playing this gobby Geordie with a heart of gold! What a way to go – so so proud of the cast and crew who achieved all of this in these last few eps!â€
She admitted she has “so many more amazing things to say†about her time on the show. However, she doesn’t have the words yet.
She continued: “For tonight, I just want to say thank you for everything! And thank you to every one of you who came on the journey with me. And for all your beautiful messages you have sent to me.
Natalie Ann Jamieson confirms shock as Amy dies in Emmerdale limo crash
In an interview with The Mirror, she revealed that Amy’s death had come as a shock to her also. “I had been asking for meetings about what was coming up for Amy and saying that I’d really like some challenging, new stuff,” she said.
“They knew they had this coming up and they didn’t have anything planned for Amy – and that was the direction that I wanted to go in. It worked out that this was going to be Amy’s exit and I didn’t know it was going to be death at first.”
She continued: “When they told me, I was like, “Oh!” It’s really hard to know whether you would prefer for your character to die if you’re going, or to go in the back of a taxi.”
Leyla Harding was confirmed as the latest Emmerdale death after the terrifying limo crash. But as she dies, will we see familiar faces return for her funeral?
The Emmerdale ice stunt has had viewers gripped all week as it has claimed the lives of two villagers. In extremely heartbreaking scenes we saw Jacob find out that Leyla had died.
She wasn’t the only one, as Suzy also died on impact when the limo crashed. So, as we’re now looking at two funerals, will David, Alicia and Priya return to say goodbye to Leyla? Here’s everything we know.
Is Matthew Wolfenden returning for Leyla’s funeral? (Credit: ITV)
Will David return for Leyla’s funeral?
It would be weird if we didn’t see at least one of these three characters appear to say goodbye to the Emmerdale icon. David and Leyla had an on and off relationship for years. And as Jacob’s dad, we would expect to see him make a reappearance.
Matthew Wolfenden left Emmerdale at the end of 2023. David cut ties with Jacob after his relationship with Victoria, and headed for a life away from the village.
But now that Leyla’s dead and Jacob is no longer with his dad’s ex-girlfriend, could he come back for the funeral?
Speaking to The Sun about a potential return, Matthew hasn’t ruled it out. Especially as he has just finished his stint in Elf: The Musical.
He said: “Luckily, John Whinston, the big boss at Emmerdale, wrote me a lovely email saying ‘Look, we’re not going to kill you off. That is not me saying you can come back.’ They can’t say that. But the door will be left open for the character of David which was very nice.
“It does give you that option. You never know, I might go knocking on the door and say ‘Can I come back please.’ It’s such a great place to work.”
Surely Leyla’s own sister will be at her funeral (Credit: ITV)
What about Alicia?
Alicia is literally Leyla’s sister. And Jacob’s adoptive mother. So her return seems to be the one that fits the most with the current storyline.
Leyla died putting others above her for the first time in a while. And she thought she had let Jacob down. So wouldn’t it be fitting for those who loved Leyla but didn’t get the chance to show her it, go to her funeral?
Alicia hasn’t been seen in the village in ten years, so her comeback would be huge for the show. And as Natalie Anderson’s time on Hollyoaks came to an end in 2022, could she return as Alicia.
Speaking to The Daily Star during her time on Hollyoaks, Natalie admitted Emmerdale wasn’t her focus at that point.
However, she added: “I still love Emmerdale with all my heart!”
But circumstances change, and a return to Emmerdale after Leyla’s tragic death would be something fans want to see.
It would make sense for Priya to be at the funeral (Credit: ITV)
Could Priya return after Leyla’s Emmerdale death?
The final return that makes sense is Priya Sharma. She and Leyla had a close friendship over the years. And both had previous relationships with David.
In early 2023, Fiona Wade stepped away from her role as Priya. And at the time she admitted she was looking forward to a break from live television. But in 2024 she hit the road touring in a theatre play.
And while fans could be hoping for a Priya return, Fiona admitted last year, that she doesn’t regret leaving the show.
She told OK! Magazine: “It was incredibly kind that they left the door open for Priya. But I trust myself and I know it was the right decision. I don’t want to live looking back, that’s not my personality. I want to live life knowing I fully jumped with confidence. And I think I have done that.”
So out of all three, Matthew’s return as David looks most likely. And as his on-screen dad, Eric, has also been having a tough time lately, if he comes back – maybe he will stick around. And if none of them return, what will be the reasons given? Or will Leyla be forced to have an off-screen funeral which she does not deserve.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.Â
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.
Are you upset about the latest Emmerdale death? Follow our Facebook page @EmmerdaleInsider for the latest Emmerdale spoilers, news and gossip. Or find us on Twitter @EmmerdaleInside. We want to hear your thoughts!
As rumours spread that Roxy Shahidi, Emmerdale’s Leyla Harding, is leaving the show, it seems acting wasn’t always her only passion.
Roxy joined Emmerdale in 2008 until 2011. But she made her full-time return in 2014. Now 17 years later, reports suggest she is leaving the for good. Some have even reported that Leyla will die in the upcoming ice stunt.
But away from the Dales, Roxy’s life focuses a lot on healthy mindsets and living. And one way she gets this is from her dedication to yoga.
Just how much does yoga have an influence on Roxy’s life? Let’s have a look.
Roxy is a qualified yoga teacher (Credit: ITV)
Roxy Shahidi yoga teacher
She doesn’t just practise yoga in her spare time. Roxy is actually a qualified yoga teacher, sharing everything that she has learned with others. And she would split her time working in Emmerdale with teaching classes in Nottingham.
But if you couldn’t make it to her in person classes, Roxy still made sure you were included. Over the years Roxy has created her own YouTube channels and social media feeds, YogaRox, dedicated to yoga.
There are regular tutorial videos and inspirational quotes to keep her customers motivated. And it seems to be more than just a job to Roxy.
Yoga is her ‘passion’
The former Dancing on Ice contestant previously spoke to Your Healthy Living about her “passion for yoga.”
Explaining what inspired her interest in yoga, Roxy admitted it was actually because of borrowing something from her grandma.
She said: “when I was a teenager I borrowed a Barbara Currie yoga DVD from my grandma. She wore luminous lycra outfits and the DVD had cheesy 90’s backgrounds. It really inspired me.”
I’m just as passionate about it now as ever
But it wasn’t until Roxy was on her Emmerdale break when she became “more dedicated” to practising.
Roxy admitted: “I think whenever you come into contact with something that you feel passionate about then you want to learn more. Initially I just wanted to learn the names of the poses and the proper adjustments. But the more I did it, the more interested I became.
“Yoga is such a vast subject and has such a rich and semi-secret history that you can just keep going with it. There are so many variations too. I’m just as passionate about it now as ever.”
Roxy Shahidi Emmerdale co-stars have joined in (Credit: ITV)
Does Roxy do enjoy other exercises?
It seems yoga is the only form of exercise that is for her. She knows with it she can “never get bored” which makes it stand out for her more than anything else.
She explained: “I just do yoga. My passion is so great I just want to keep finding out more.
“The more you know about yoga, the more you can use it in your everyday routine and benefit from it.”
Roxy Shahidi Emmerdale co-stars get involved
Back in 2020, during the pandemic, some of the Emmerdale cast shared their off-screen talents with the world. The official Emmerdale YouTube channel would even share videos of them to make everyone feel connected.
Then in 2021, the Emmerdale YouTube channel uploaded a video called “Yoga at Emmerdale with Roxy Shahidi.”
In the 37 minute yoga lesson, Roxy was joined by Emmerdale co-star Ash Palmisciano (Matty Barton). She showed him all of the best poses and stances to get them feeling at ease. In episode two she was joined alongside Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden). And in the final episode Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe).
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.Â
Did you know about Roxy Shahidi passion away from Emmerdale? Follow our Facebook page @EmmerdaleInsider for the latest Emmerdale news, spoilers and gossip. Or find us on Twitter @EmmerdaleInside. Leave us a comment, we want to hear your thoughts!
It was reported over the weekend that Roxy Shahidi is leaving her role as Leyla Harding on Emmerdale after 16 years.
According to The Sun, the actress wants to ‘spread her wings’ and Leyla will be killed off in a ‘meaty exit storyline.’
But how exactly will she die? Fans have speculated that perhaps Tom might have something to do with her exit.
Leyla has been involved in a lot of drama in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
Leyla’s time in Emmerdale
She arrived in Emmerdale in 2008 before leaving in 2011. She returned for a brief stint in 2013 before reprising her role permanently in 2014.
During her time on the show, the character has been involved in plenty of storylines.
She quickly started a relationship with David, but it wasn’t plain sailing. At one point he believed she was having an affair with her sister Alicia’s husband. It was later revealed she was just visiting Alicia and Justin’s son Jacob, who was in fact really her son.
Leyla was also caught pole dancing by her sister, and a deep storyline saw her support Jacob following the revelation that paedophile teacher Maya Stepney had been grooming him.
She later married Dr Liam, but the relationship broke down following her drug addiction.
Leyla and David had an on/off relationship (Credit: ITV)
Leyla to leave Emmerdale
A source 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.’
Outside of Emmerdale, Roxy is a trained yoga instructor and wellbeing influencer. Earlier this year, she took part in Dancing on Ice as well as the reality documentary series Drama Queens.
Coule Tom have something to do with Leyla’s death? (Credit: ITV)
Will Tom kill Leyla?
In recent Emmerdale scenes, Belle reported Tom to the police for the abuse he has inflicted on her.
With Leyla working at Take a Vow alongside Belle, could she become involved in the couple’s messy split? Fans certainly think so.
‘I am actually shocked that it’s been confirmed that Leyla Harding is set to get killed in Emmerdale, does anyone think they could make Meena come back or is it something to do with Tom?,’ asked one curious fan on X.Â
Another fan agreed, writing: ‘She could get in Tom’s way with Belle,’ with a third shocked viewer asking: ‘Leyla’s gonna die? How? Does Tom kill her?’
Over on Reddit, fans are also on board with this theory, with one writing: ‘Think it’s tied in with Tom & Belle storyline and he actually kills Leyla. I was wondering if she finds out something about Tom and wants to help Belle and he kills her to shut her up or Tom on rampage trying to kill Belle and accidently kills Leyla.”
Another added: ‘We know Belle and Tom’s storyline will come to a head around Christmas time. Leyla doesn’t have that many ties to the village any more except for Suzy and Belle through the business. It would tie up the loose ends quite nicely for both.”
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.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
