Emmerdale delivered an emotional farewell to Leyla Harding, played by Roxy Shahidi, in a special episode that gave the beloved character a unique send-off.
As the villagers gathered to pay their respects, viewers were treated to a rare insight into Leyla’s final days through three significant flashbacks.
These moments revealed major secrets that she had uncovered before her tragic death, proving that even in her final moments, Leyla remained at the center of drama.
Now, Roxy Shahidi has opened up about the impact of these flashbacks, how they shaped Leyla’s final storyline, and what consequences they may have for those left behind.
Leyla’s Uncovered Secrets
Before her tragic exit, Leyla stumbled upon three major secrets involving Tracy Robinson, Mary Goskirk, and Manpreet Sharma.
Though she never got the chance to reveal them, her discoveries could still shake up the village in the coming weeks.
Flashback #1: Tracy’s Secret Theft
One of Leyla’s last discoveries was a shocking moment at the village shop, where she caught Tracy Robinson stealing money from the till. While making a casual purchase, Leyla saw Tracy take a £20 note and stash it away instead of putting it in the register.
When confronted, Tracy confessed that she had been taking small amounts for some time, but the stolen total had now reached a staggering £2,000. She justified her actions by explaining that she was struggling financially, particularly because her estranged husband Nate was no longer sending child maintenance payments for their daughter, Frankie.
Of course, viewers know that Nate is actually dead, something Tracy is completely unaware of. Her belief that he simply abandoned his responsibilities is far from the truth, and this revelation is bound to cause further complications down the line.
Speaking about this twist, Roxy Shahidi revealed that Leyla likely wouldn’t have been able to keep quiet. “Leyla would have wanted Tracy to come clean about the stealing. If Tracy didn’t, I think Leyla would have eventually told Pollard the truth. At the end of the day, Pollard is her family.”
In upcoming episodes, Tracy will continue to hide her financial struggles, but she will be left panicked when Eric Pollard unexpectedly asks to meet her at The Woolpack. Has he figured out what she has been doing, or is she worrying over nothing?
Flashback #2: Suzy’s Confession to Mary
Another bombshell moment came in a flashback featuring Suzy Merton and Mary Goskirk. Suzy, who tragically died in the limo crash, revealed her true feelings for Mary in a heartfelt conversation before the accident.
Suzy admitted that she had developed strong feelings for Mary and had once believed their friendship was evolving into something deeper. However, Mary had distanced herself, seemingly because of the age gap between them.
Despite her relationship with Vanessa, Suzy was prepared to walk away from it if Mary was willing to take a chance on them. Just as they were about to kiss, Leyla entered and inadvertently interrupted the moment, scaring Mary off.
Reflecting on how Leyla would have handled this information had she survived, Shahidi explained, “The love triangle revelation would have been really tricky for Leyla to deal with. She had such loyalty to both Vanessa and Suzy. But knowing Leyla, I think she would have accidentally told the truth in the end!”
In the aftermath of Suzy’s death, this secret love triangle could soon come to light. Next week, Vanessa begins looking through Suzy’s phone and starts uncovering clues about what was really happening before the crash. Will she learn the truth about Suzy and Mary’s final conversation?
Flashback #3: Manpreet’s Secret Online Persona
The final flashback focused on Manpreet Sharma, who was caught off guard when Leyla walked in on her at the doctor’s surgery. Manpreet was glued to her laptop, staring at a mysterious photo, but she quickly shut the screen when she realized she was no longer alone.
Leyla managed to catch a glimpse and was taken aback by what she saw. “Was that you? I’m sorry, but wow!” she exclaimed. Manpreet, clearly flustered, warned Leyla to keep quiet.
It soon became apparent that Manpreet had been running an online profile on an OnlyFans-style platform, explaining why she had been receiving strange messages and acting so secretive about her phone.
Shahidi believes Leyla would not have been able to keep this revelation to herself. “Leyla definitely would have told everybody about Manpreet, accidentally on purpose. She would have just loved that and wouldn’t have been able to keep it to herself.”
In the coming episodes, Manpreet’s secret is at risk of being exposed. Billy Fletcher, struggling with his marriage to Dawn, attempts to find her online profile, reigniting an old connection between them. Meanwhile, Manpreet finds herself in a dangerous position when someone in the village starts blackmailing her. Could her secret be about to go public?
What Happens Next?
While Leyla may be gone, her discoveries continue to stir up trouble in Emmerdale. With Tracy’s theft, Suzy’s hidden feelings for Mary, and Manpreet’s online activities all at risk of coming to light, the drama is far from over.
Leyla’s final episode was a fitting farewell, allowing her to remain at the heart of the village’s biggest scandals even after her death. As her secrets begin to unravel, the question remains—who will be the first to face the consequences?
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