Former Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi has opened up about the toll one of her most devastating storylines took on her, revealing that she “wept every day” during filming.

The actress, who played Leyla Harding from 2008 until her tragic death earlier this year, has reflected on the moments that left her shaken, even after the cameras stopped rolling.

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Leyla’s Heartbreaking End

Leyla’s exit came in February during the shocking limo crash disaster, which claimed the lives of Leyla, Suzy Merton, and Amy Wyatt. In horrifying scenes, Charity Dingle swerved to avoid hitting her son Noah, sending the limo plunging onto a frozen lake.

While some villagers scrambled to safety, Leyla’s injuries proved fatal. Her death marked the end of a 16-year journey in the village—one that saw her live through addiction, romance, betrayal, and grief.

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“I Wept Every Day”

But for Roxy, the storyline that truly haunted her was Leyla’s part in Leanna Cavanagh’s murder aftermath.

Speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show, Roxy admitted:

“I just wept every day because I think it was just the idea of being a parent and loss, and knowing that there are so many parents out there. Jonny [McPherson, who plays Liam] worked with a lot of charities and spoke to parents. This kind of raw connection to it… there is so much grief, especially for parents. Just being confronted with that day in, day out—it was overwhelming.”

As a mother herself, Roxy confessed she couldn’t stop imagining the horror of losing a child. “It is selfish to say because I didn’t experience that—I’m so lucky—but people go through that loss. To portray it, I was just so upset.”

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Leyla & Liam: Love and Loss

Leyla and Liam’s relationship had already been pushed to the brink before the crash. After marrying, the couple were torn apart by Leanna’s brutal murder at the hands of serial killer Meena Jutla.

That storyline left a deep mark on viewers—and on Roxy herself. She admitted that even seeing Leanna’s photos in Leyla and Liam’s house during filming stirred painful emotions.

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Ready for New Adventures

Roxy left Emmerdale in May, describing the decision as both “terrifying and exciting.”

“I was lucky enough to spend 16 years in a show that I loved. But I’m 42 now, and life is short. I’m ready for new adventures and to see where those take me.”

Though Leyla’s story has ended, Roxy’s honesty about the emotional toll of her character’s journey shows just how deeply Emmerdale’s storylines affect not just viewers, but the actors who bring them to life.