{"id":244207,"date":"2025-12-21T11:31:19","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T11:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/244207\/"},"modified":"2025-12-21T11:31:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T11:31:19","slug":"emmerdale-star-lost-her-sense-of-identity-after-soap-axe-in-sad-scenes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/244207\/","title":{"rendered":"Emmerdale star lost her \u2018sense of identity\u2019 after soap axe in sad scenes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Actress Roxy Shahidi’s final scenes aired earlier this year with fans heartbroken at the character’s exit, when she bid farewell to Leyla Harding after several years in the role<\/p>\n

Eve Wagstaff<\/strong> Social Newsdesk Reporter<\/p>\n

23:00, 20 Dec 2025Updated 23:00, 20 Dec 2025<\/p>\n

\"OneOne Emmerdale star admits she lost her identity following her exit from the soap<\/p>\n

One Emmerdale star admits she lost her identity following her exit from the soap. Former Emmerdale<\/a> actress Roxy Shahidi<\/a> has spoken candidly about the emotional impact of leaving the ITV<\/a> soap, admitting she struggled with her sense of identity after her character was written out.<\/p>\n

Roxy played Leyla Harding, a long-standing and much-loved character on the show, first appearing in 2008 before returning full-time in 2013. After more than a decade on screen, Leyla met a tragic end earlier this year in dramatic scenes that saw several characters plunged into icy water following a limousine crash.<\/p>\n

Although Leyla initially survived the accident, viewers later learned she died in an ambulance before reaching hospital, marking the end of Roxy\u2019s 17-year journey on the soap.<\/p>\n

Nearly a year on from leaving Emmerdale<\/a>, Roxy has reflected on the transition and how it affected her personally. In an emotional Instagram<\/a> post, she admitted stepping away from the role was far more challenging than she anticipated.<\/p>\n

\"JacobRoxy played Leyla for 17 years on the soap(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time last year, I was coming to terms with having to leave this lot behind. Not just colleagues, but friends and family,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n

She went on to explain how deeply intertwined her character had become with her own sense of self, adding:<\/p>\n

“Playing Layla wasn\u2019t just a job; she was a huge part of my identity, and some days I spent more time being her than being myself.<\/p>\n

“Losing that sense of identity was hard, but long walks with Mr Cooper [her pet cockapoo] gave me space to breathe, reflect and stay hopeful.”<\/p>\n

\"RoxyRoxy has thrown herself into creating her yoga brand(Image: David Fisher\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock)\"RoxyRoxy appeared on Dancing on Ice but has moved towards a different path(Image: WireImage)<\/p>\n

Since leaving the soap, Roxy has shifted her focus towards wellbeing and has been teaching yoga online. She revealed the practice helped her process the emotional fallout of the change.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoga once again became my anchor on the hardest days, moving my body helped me move through grief, loss and uncertainty,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

Adding that her yoga platform has helped her build a new chapter in her life, she went on: “Now YogaRox has grown into a new home, a new family, and a new sense of self.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly how I\u2019ll get there, but I know where I\u2019m going. Thank you to everyone who\u2019s supported me through a year of challenge, growth, and transformation; here\u2019s to 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her post was quickly flooded with supportive messages, including from former Emmerdale co-stars. Laura Norton<\/a>, who plays Kerry Wyatt, commented: \u201cYou\u2019re amazing. You are very missed. Sky is the limit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fellow soap stars Claire Sweeney, Isobel Hodgins and Ross Adams also shared messages of love.<\/p>\n

Fans echoed the sentiment, with one writing: \u201cYou are still so missed by us Emmerdale fans. But you are smashing it now with your new projects, you are amazing!! Xx\u201d<\/p>\n

Another added: \u201cI miss seeing you shine on my screen every night but being able to see you absolutely smashing the yoga is everything, heres to an amazing 2026 and I hope the new year brings you nothing but happiness and big achievements.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, j<\/strong>oin The Mirror\u2019s WhatsApp Community<\/a> or follow us on Google News<\/a>, Flipboard<\/a>, Apple News<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Snapchat<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Threads<\/a> – or visit The Mirror<\/a> homepage.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n