Charlotte Bellamy has played Laurel Thomas in Emmerdale for over 20 years, and has now revealed the only way she’d leave the ITV soap
Emmerdale’s Charlotte Bellamy has starred for more than 20 years as Laurel Thomas and has no plans to leave the role.
In conversation with Bella magazine, Charlotte discussed her most impactful storylines, recalling: “Obviously the one with John about Ashley’s dementia because that had such a huge impact. It was amazingly received.
“I also did a cot death storyline about 17 years ago, and that was also written and dealt with incredibly well.”
Charlotte revealed working on these scenes was “humbling” for her as an actress: “It was hard-hitting and I was very proud to be part of that. Viewers see these scenes and then want to tell you their story. That’s always really humbling. You feel like you’re making a difference, however small.”
As for leaving Emmerdale, Charlotte is determined that won’t be on the cards any time soon. She quipped: “I’d have to get killed by a bus in the village for them to get rid of me.”
She continued: “I absolutely love Emmerdale and I’m so grateful to be doing something that I love. But if I ever do get killed off, I think I’ll just go and run a coffee shop in the Dales.”
Charlotte’s character initially was introduced to soap viewers as a comedic figure, but the writers now “throw loads” of “serious stuff” at her. One such storyline saw her and Jai Sharma, portrayed by Chris Bisson, discovering they were expecting a baby.
The couple found out their baby would be born with Down’s syndrome, leading to a controversial storyline where it was decided that Laurel would have an abortion. This plot sparked hundreds of complaints.
In 2023, the actress suggested a storyline idea to Emmerdale bosses, but it was rejected. “The only story I’ve ever tried to pitch to the writers was years ago, when we were all working in the factory,” Charlotte revealed.
“I pitched a story about a group of women becoming addicted to gambling, which is actually really common.” However, the idea was turned down as it didn’t align with the soap’s ongoing plots.
Off-screen, Charlotte is married to company director Mungo Denison and they have three children together, two sons, Herbie and Sunnie, and a daughter, Teddie.
