Emmerdale fans ‘work out’ Leyla ‘exit’ twist as village murderer set to ‘kill again’

Leyla Harding will reportedly be killed off in upcoming Emmerdale scenes will which rock the village and fans are convinced they know exactly who will bump her off

Emmerdale legend Roxy Shahidi is reportedly leaving the ITV soap as Leyla Harding after 16 years. The character, who made her arrival way back in 2008, is mum to Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) and the ex-wife of Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson).

It has been reported that Leyla will be killed off in an intense exit storyline that promises to leave fans shaken. The news of Roxy’s departure comes after a huge year in her career, which saw her take part in Dancing on Ice and ITV’s reality series Drama Queens.

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 just 17. The cast have become like family to her, and she has grown so much as an actress. But now, she feels it’s the perfect time to spread her wings and try something new.”

While the details of Leyla’s rumoured exit are being kept under wraps, it’s clear that the storyline will be a major event in Emmerdale and the news has left fans wondering if the character will be killed by Ella Forster (Paula Lane), who is currently the love interest of Leyla’s ex-husband Dr Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson).

Taking to social media, one fan posted: “Something to do with Ella maybe?” Another added: “She hasn’t had a story line in ages wondering if Ella is going to kill her she seems the jealous type.”

**The character made her arrival way back in 2008** (Image: Shared Content Unit)

A third person said: “Wonder if Ella will kill her as she’ll see her as a threat if Leyla gets cosy to Liam again and Ella will get jealous and want her out of the way.” Fans of the soap will know that Ella murdered her childhood best friend Joanne when she was an 11-year-old child but will she do it again?

**Will Ella Forster kill Leyla?** (Image: ITV)

Roxy has been part of some huge storylines on the ITV soap, with just last year her character becoming the target of a stalker and was kidnapped. Beyond her Emmerdale career, the actress is also a trained yoga instructor and launched Yoga Lunch Club and also shares yoga videos on her YouTube channel.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm