Emmerdale legend is leaving soap after 16 years and will be killed off in explosive scenes

EMMERDALE actress Roxy Shahidi is leaving the ITV soap after 16 years on the soap as her character Leyla Harding is KILLED.

The shock revelation comes after Roxy, 41, starred in Dancing on Ice alongside ITV’s reality series Drama Queens earlier this year.

Roxy Shahidi is leaving Emmerdale after 16 years, The Sun can reveal Credit: Getty

She plays the vivacious Leyla Harding in the soap opera Credits: ITV

A source close to the TV star said: “Roxy has loved her time on the soap and has made so many happy memories since she first joined at 17.

“The cast has become like family to her and she’s grown so much as an actress, but now feels like the perfect time to spread her wings and try something new.

“She’s really excited about her meaty exit story, where her character Leyla will die on screen. She’d rather go out in a blaze of glory and be remembered.”

It comes after Roxy, who lives in Nottingham with her husband, actor Arsher Ali, 40, and their six-year-old daughter, recently opened up about her love for the show.

She said: “I absolutely love being in a soap like Emmerdale, because you get to develop your character over the years. It’s a process that you don’t really get in a lot of other dramas. And I’m so happy to be playing Leyla, because she’s such a fun character. “

Over the years Roxy’s character Leyla has had some colorful stories including becoming a pole dancer, getting shot and developing a drug habit.

But in real life, Roxy is a trained yoga instructor and focused on wellness.

A spokeswoman for Emmerdale declined to comment.