Ex-Emmerdale star shares biggest regret after ITV soap death

Emmerdale icon Roxy Shahidi has opened up about her biggest regret leaving the ITV soap, after her character Leyla Harding was killed off after 16 years. Sitting down with Express.co.uk, Roxy opened up about her recent appearance on Discovery+ show Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House – where she showed off some of her most prized possessions.

While host Angus Ashworth rummaged around her home to seek out hidden gems and heirlooms, he came across a commemorative Emmerdale sheep Roxy was awarded for staying on the show so long, and which she refused to part with. But the statue isn’t the only memento she took from her days on the soap set.

She told Express.co.uk: “I took so many of Leyla’s six-inch heels because I don’t own any myself! I don’t even wear them, they’re just on a shelf because they look pretty.”

But she has one huge regret after walking into wardrobe for the final time. She explained: “Actually, I didn’t take – and I regret this now – as much of her costume [as I wanted to]. At first you think, ‘Oh, I’ll take her whole costume’. But then you get in there and you realise, actually, I’m not going to wear any of this stuff.

“So I just took a few jumpers and a pair of leather pants, because I won’t buy leather [because I’m vegan]. But now, eight months later, I do miss dressing up as her. I miss wearing vibrant colours. Who else wears shoulder pads and a neon jacket? I can’t believe she died, purely for the fashion. Why kill a girl with heels like that?”

Roxy said she “didn’t have a say” in whether or not her character was killed off, admitting that the script came as “a surprise”. She said: “I think we’re all aware – everyone in the more traditional media industry is very much aware that there’s a shifting landscape, and shows are having to adapt. Maybe it was just the time for the character, maybe it was circumstantial.

“At the end of the day I just feel really grateful for having been on a show like Emmerdale for so long, and having the privilege to enjoy being playful and enjoy being Leyla. I made some great friends and was part of a real family. I do miss that, there’s stuff I really miss.

“Equally there’s something terrifying, but exhilarating and thrilling about being back out in the world, starting new projects and figuring things out. It’s perfect for my midlife crisis!”

She teamed up with her former co-star Matthew Wolfenden – who played David Metcalfe in the soap – on her Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House episode, but the pair have actually been writing partners for the last eight years, penning episodes of Holby City and other shows together.

Roxy said: “We also have a podcast together […] all about our midlife crises. We’ve also got an article in Living North magazine where we go and walk around Yorkshire.

“We really enjoy doing that – we want to bring everything together at some point and have a walking show about mental health. So we’re pitching stuff like that at the moment, we’re optimistic.”