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’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 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.
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.
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.”
