“I Miss Dressing Up As Leyla”: Ex-Emmerdale Star Roxy Shahidi Reveals Regrets After Iconic Soap Exit
Saying Goodbye to Leyla—In Style
After 16 unforgettable years, Emmerdale fans were left stunned when Leyla Harding was killed off in a tragic limo crash, bringing an emotional end to actress Roxy Shahidi’s long-running role. Now, in a candid new interview, Roxy has opened up about the biggest regret she has following her departure—and it’s not what you’d expect.
Appearing on Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House, Roxy shared a behind-the-scenes look at her home and career memorabilia. One cherished item? A commemorative Emmerdale sheep award for her years of dedication. But it was the contents of the wardrobe that revealed her most emotional confession.
“Why Kill a Girl With Heels Like That?”
Roxy admitted she took a few of Leyla’s signature six-inch heels—even though she doesn’t wear them. “They just look pretty on the shelf,” she laughed. But when it came to her character’s bold wardrobe, she confessed to missing the vibrant colors and eccentric outfits that defined Leyla’s iconic style.
“I wish I’d taken more of her wardrobe,” Roxy said. “At the time, I thought I wouldn’t wear any of it. Now, I miss it all—who else gets to wear neon jackets and shoulder pads like that?”
Her exit from the soap, however, came as a shock. “I didn’t have a say,” she revealed, explaining that the script twist was a surprise. While she acknowledged that TV is evolving and character exits are part of the process, the loss of Leyla still stings: “I can’t believe she died, purely for the fashion!”
From the Dales to New Horizons
Despite the bittersweet goodbye, Roxy remains grateful for her time in the Dales, describing her years on the soap as a time of “playfulness, friendship, and family.” Leaving, she said, was “terrifying but thrilling”—a perfect storm of emotions as she steps into a new creative chapter.
Roxy has continued to collaborate with Emmerdale alum Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe), with whom she’s been writing scripts and developing projects for nearly a decade. Together, they’ve contributed to Holby City, launched a podcast about midlife reinvention, and even penned features for Living North magazine.
The Future: Walks, Wellness, and Writing
Their next goal? A walking show about mental health, blending nature, honesty, and healing. “We want to bring everything together,” Roxy teased, adding that they’re actively pitching new formats and feel “optimistic” about what’s ahead.