Emmerdale has confirmed a brief exit storyline for Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) as the actor continues to impress on Strictly Come Dancing. In today's episode, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) tells Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) that he plans to send Mackenzie to Germany for a farming course.
Mack's new opportunity
Matty is left feeling put out, as he wanted more help with daily tasks on Emmerdale Farm. At Jacobs Fold, Mackenzie updates Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) about Robert's plan. Charity is sad at the prospect of Mackenzie being away for a few months but agrees it is a great opportunity for him and the future of the farm.
Mack will be staying near Charity's son Noah Dingle (Jack Downham), who left the village for work in Germany earlier this year.
Lawrence's Strictly success
Lawrence, who has played Mackenzie since 2020, survived last week's Strictly Dance Off alongside professional partner Jowita Przystał. The duo performed the first Rumba of the 2026 series on Saturday, dancing to Back to Friends by Sombr, but the routine divided the judging panel.
They scored a total of 20 points, but fan votes secured them a place in the next stage of the show.
Drama behind Mack
Mack could do with a break from life in the Dales, as the past year has been full of drama. Last summer, he discovered the truth about medic John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), who shot him with a bow and arrow and knocked him unconscious. Mack was held captive for weeks in an underground bunker near John's childhood home.
Earlier this year, Mackenzie's world turned upside down when Charity revealed she had a one-night stand with Ross Barton (Michael Parr), resulting in her pregnancy with baby Leyla. Charity gave birth and handed the girl to Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), allowing her to believe she was conceived through their surrogacy plan.
While Mack is leaving the village for now, his exit won't be forever, with the character expected to return not long after this year's Strictly champion is revealed.
