Emmerdale has promised plenty of explosive drama in 2025 with a terrifying car crash and a frozen lake disaster set to rock the village with several residents’ lives at risk

Emmerdale viewers will see several characters’ lives at risk in upcoming scenes.

The hit ITV soap has revealed a first look at what’s to come this February, teasing a treacherous start to the year for some of the village’s beloved residents.

Soap watchers will see a gripping storyline that features a terrifying car crash and a frozen lake, with multiple lives hanging in the balance.

Amid the dramatic upcoming scenes, viewers have been speculating on which characters could die or be caught up in the incident.

Here, we take a look at the characters set to leave the ITV soap this year amid rumoured exits…

Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi)

It was claimed last year that Roxy Shahidi was reportedly set to leave Emmerdale in 2025 as Leyla Harding after 17 years.

The hit ITV soap and Roxy, 41, are yet to address the reports, especially as it’s been claimed that her character will be killed off.

Roxy first joined Emmerdale back in 2006 as Lila Wray before returning in 2008 to take on the role of Leyla.

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.”

It remains to be seen if Leyla does in fact leave or is killed off… could she be involved in the car crash and frozen lake incident?

Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop)

It has been claimed that Lesley Dunlop’s character, Brenda Walker, is reportedly being written out in upcoming weeks after 17 years.

The hit ITV soap and Lesley, 68, are yet to address the reports. The actress joined the village back in 2008 as Brenda and she is married to co-star Chris Chittell, 76, who plays Eric Pollard in the ITV soap, in real life.

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.”

Ella Forster (Paula Lane)

Soap watchers could be seeing troubled Ella Forster, played by Paula Lane, leave the village in upcoming scenes.

Ella joined the ITV soap last year, where she soon landed a job as a receptionist at the surgery and became romantically involved with now ex Dr Liam Cavanagh.

However, a dark secret was soon teased and it was revealed that she had killed her childhood best friend and served time in prison.

Yet despite being part of several huge storylines, it appears that actress Paula, 38, could be leaving the ITV soap as Ella soon.

An update to the soap star’s Spotlight page revealed that she will finish filming for the ITV soap in February 2025. Paula’s about me section reads: “Currently appearing as series regular Ella in Emmerdale ITV filming until February 2025.”

Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson)

Another potential exit is Wendy Posner, played by Susan Cookson, after six years.

The hit ITV soap and Susan, 59, are yet to address exit reports. The actress joined the village back in 2019.

A source told The Sun: “The door is very much being left open for Susan in future and it’s hoped that one day she could return to see her grandson Harry.”

Emmerdale airs every weekday at 19.30pm on ITV1, ITV X, STV and STV Player with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. It is also available each morning from 07.00am on ITVX.