EMMERDALE will be rocked by a shock death this festive season – and it’s set to be a heartbreaking one.
The Sun can reveal that the ITV soap will be saying a permanent goodbye to a major character for the upcoming death, amid a slate of exits.
A source said: “Death is never far away from Emmerdale and another victim will be added to the village’s already extensive graveyard.
“Christmas cheer might be all-around but for one family it’s not going to be a happy occasion.”
The identity of the victim is being closely-guarded, but their death, funeral and burial has already been filmed.
It comes as a host of stars are set to depart the dales in the next few months.
The Sun exclusively revealed how actress Roxy Shahidi is to leave the soap after 16 years playing Leyla Harding.
And in a dramatic development she’s going to be killed off in explosive scenes.
A source said: “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.”
Meanwhile actress Daisy Campbell recently revealed she will leave the show as Amelia Spencer after being axed by bosses.
The gutted actress said: “It wasn’t my choice to leave Emmerdale and it was a shock at first.
“Being in Emmerdale is all I have ever known. I’ve spent the whole of my childhood growing up in the soap and it felt daunting.”
And actress Lesley Dunlop is also leaving the soap after 16 years as Brenda Walker with her character set to tie the knot with Eric Pollard on Christmas Day.
The Sun also revealed how Tom King actor James Chase has left the soap after filming his final scenes as the abusive vet.
Soap stars leaving this year
Soap has - or will lose some iconic characters this year - here we've rounded up the latest departures...
EASTENDERS
Navin Chowdhry
CORONATION STREET
Calum Lill
Bill Fellows
Launa Santos
Helen Worth
Lucy Fallon
HOLLYOAKS
Matthew James Bailey
Gregory Finnegan
Stephanie Warring
Annie Wallace
NEIGHBOURS
Ryan Maloney
Lucinda Cowden
But which of these characters are set to die? Or will it be another shock exit?
An Emmerdale spokeswoman declined to comment.
