Former Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi has spoken openly about the profound emotional impact of leaving the ITV soap, confessing she lost her sense of self after her character was written out of the long-running series.
The End of an Era for Leyla Harding
Shahidi played the role of Leyla Harding for a remarkable 17 years, first appearing in 2008 before joining the show full-time in 2013. Her tenure came to a dramatic and tragic end earlier this year. In a gripping storyline, Leyla was involved in a catastrophic limousine crash that saw several characters plunge into icy water.
While her character initially survived the accident, viewers were later shocked to learn she had died in the ambulance before reaching hospital. This marked the final curtain for one of the Dales' most enduring personalities.
A Struggle with Identity After the Final Curtain
Nearly a year on from her departure, Shahidi has reflected on the challenging transition in an emotional Instagram post. She revealed that stepping away from the role was far more difficult than she had ever anticipated.
"This time last year, I was coming to terms with having to leave this lot behind. Not just colleagues, but friends and family," she wrote. The actress explained how deeply her character had become entwined with her own identity.
"Playing Leyla wasn’t just a job; she was a huge part of my identity, and some days I spent more time being her than being myself," Shahidi confessed. "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."
Finding a New Path Through Wellness
In the months since leaving the soap, Shahidi has channelled her energy into wellbeing and building her own yoga brand, YogaRox. She credits the practice with helping her navigate the complex emotions that followed her exit.
"Yoga once again became my anchor on the hardest days, moving my body helped me move through grief, loss and uncertainty," she continued. Her dedication has now blossomed into a new venture and a renewed sense of purpose.
"Now YogaRox has grown into a new home, a new family, and a new sense of self," she shared. "I don’t know exactly how I’ll get there, but I know where I’m going. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me through a year of challenge, growth, and transformation; here’s to 2026."
Her heartfelt post was quickly met with an outpouring of support from former co-stars and fans alike. Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, commented: "You’re amazing. You are very missed. Sky is the limit." Fellow soap stars including Claire Sweeney and Isobel Hodgins also shared messages of love and encouragement.
Fans echoed the sentiments, with one writing: "You are still so missed by us Emmerdale fans. But you are smashing it now with your new projects, you are amazing!!" Another added: "I miss seeing you shine on my screen every night but being able to see you absolutely smashing the yoga is everything."
Roxy Shahidi's journey highlights a reality often unseen by audiences: the significant personal adjustment actors face when leaving a role that has defined their lives for nearly two decades. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and finding a new identity beyond the iconic character of Leyla Harding.
