Emmerdale star Amy Walsh, who plays Tracy Metcalfe on the popular ITV soap,
has expressed her heartbreak following the exit of her co-star, Roxy Shahidi, who portrayed Leyla Harding.
This emotional departure comes after a devastating limo tragedy that rocked the fictional village and led to the tragic death of Leyla Harding,
marking the end of Roxy Shahidi’s 16-year tenure on the show.
The scenes aired on Wednesday night left viewers in shock as the limo crash claimed the life of Leyla Harding,
with Roxy Shahidi’s exit sending a wave of grief across the Emmerdale family.
The tragic event was compounded by the loss of other beloved characters, including Suzy Merton, who was the first to die in the horrific accident earlier this week.
However, it was Leyla’s heartbreaking death that truly marked the emotional end of an era for both the soap and its fans.
In the wake of these powerful scenes, Roxy Shahidi took to Instagram to share the outpouring of love and tributes from her fellow cast members. Messages flooded in from her co-stars, expressing their admiration and affection for the actress, who had been a core part of the Emmerdale family for over a decade and a half.
Leading the tributes was Amy Walsh, who shared a deeply emotional post following Roxy’s final scenes. On her Instagram story, Amy wrote, “Beyond heartbroken,” accompanied by several heartbreak emojis. She went on to describe Roxy as “my beautiful angel, my bestie, and my yogi queen,” adding, “I love you, I miss you, and I’m so grateful for you.” Amy emphasized the special bond they shared, saying, “Tis not goodbye, never will be.”
In her heartfelt message, Amy also humorously remarked, “P.s how come you still look that beautiful when you’re dying?”—a sentiment that captured the warmth and camaraderie that existed between the two actresses both on and off screen.
Other Emmerdale stars also shared their love for Roxy Shahidi. Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, posted a sweet message on her Instagram, saying, “Love this wonderful human to pieces. Thank you for your authentic YOU, your endless comedy, always, always, always making me laugh… and your cheeky twinkle!!” Lisa continued, “Never ever ever change—you are FABULOUS, going to miss you loads @RoxyShahidi @Emmerdale can’t wait to watch you fly #Emmerdale,” alongside a heart emoji.
Lucy Pargeter, who portrays Chas Dingle, added her own tribute, praising Roxy’s incredible talent and friendship: “Beautifully acted and this woman is the most incredible strong friend and hilarious human. Gutted x.” Meanwhile, Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, admitted to shedding tears over the departure, writing, “I sobbed 💔 the love is so real. @RoxyShahidi my queen @joewarren_plant you smashed it!”
Martelle Edinborough, who played Suzy Merton—the first character to die in the crash—also shared her admiration for Roxy, writing, “Gonna miss this Queen so much!! @RoxyShahidi an absolute ICON! The best of the best!! xx.”
Roxy Shahidi’s exit marks a bittersweet moment in Emmerdale history, with her portrayal of Leyla Harding becoming an iconic part of the show. Fans have watched Leyla’s journey unfold over the years, and her final moments have left an indelible mark on both the characters and the viewers.
As Emmerdale continues to deal with the fallout from the limo crash, fans can expect to see further emotional goodbyes in the coming episodes. While Roxy Shahidi bids farewell to the Dales, her impact on the show will be felt for years to come.
The tributes to Roxy Shahidi not only highlight her talent and the depth of her character but also reflect the close-knit nature of the Emmerdale cast. As they navigate the aftermath of the recent tragedy, it’s clear that Roxy’s departure has left a void that will be hard to fill. Despite this, her co-stars remain hopeful for her future endeavors, and fans are eager to see where her journey takes her next.
As the dust settles on Leyla Harding’s exit, the Emmerdale family will continue to come together to support one another through their grief, ensuring that the bond between them remains unbroken, even as they bid farewell to beloved characters.
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