ITV Emmerdale fans have been forced to say goodbye to some of the show’s most loved characters so far this year.
After the death of teen twin Heath Hope late in 2023, the new year kicked off with plenty of other characters bidding a fond farewell to the Dales. Sam Hall, who played Samson Dingle for 15 years, quit his role after his character welcomed a baby with Amelia Spencer.
Emile John
After three years playing Charles Anderson’s son Ethan, Emile John’s character was tragically killed off after a hit-and-run orchestrated by Ruby Fox-Miligan. Though she wasn’t found to be at fault, with an underlying medical issue causing Ethan’s death, it still caused her son Nicky to reject her when the secret got out.
Emile wrote a lengthy tribute to his time on the soap on Instagram, explaining: “After three years, Ethan’s journey on Emmerdale has come to an end!
“I feel extremely privileged to have entered this industry working on such an iconic show. I honestly had the time of my life! Sharing the space with such talented folk on and off screen for the last few years has been a huge honour and an experience that’ll stay with me always.
“Huge thank you to those of you who have been invested in any of my storylines throughout my time on the show, seeing your reactions and opening important conversations have made it all the more worth it!”
Lewis Cope and Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana
Best known for playing Nicky Miligan and boyfriend Suni Sharma, Lewis Cope and Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana handed in their notices at the same time. Since then, the pair have been spotted living it up together on their respective Instagram pages.
The pair left together after a family fallout, with Ruby blamed for murdering Ethan Anderson in a hit-and-run after he crashed his car and injured Nicky.
A source told The Sun at the time: “It’s not going to go unnoticed that three of the village’s gay characters have been written out within a matter of weeks of each other. The optics aren’t good, especially when it’s Pride month. The fact is decisions are taken months in advance and there are lots of different factors that go into things like this. It’s very unusual for three actors with the same character profile to leave at the same time.”
Sam Hall
After playing Sam Dingle’s son Samson for 15 years, actor Sam Hall departed the soap when his character was sentenced to four years behind bars. He was arrested for attacking bully Josh – and left behind his devastated baby mum Amelia and his dad.
Sam Hall said at the time: “So, as you’ve seen, Samson has now left the village. It’s been a great storyline, so I’d like to thank everyone who’s been with me, cast and crew, over the last 15 years. Hopefully, we’ll see Samson again.”
Rumours initially emerged that his character had been axed by soap bosses and could potentially be killed off – but thankfully Samson’s return has been left open.
Jurell Carter
Best known for playing hunky farmer Nate Robinson for the past five years, Jurell Carter has also bowed out of Soapland – leaving his ex Tracy devastated after refusing to call her. It’s left some fans suspicious that he might have secretly been killed off, instead of departing for a new job in Scotland.
Jurell posted a lengthy message on social media hinting that it was his own choice to leave the soap, explaining to fans: “So after 5 years, my time at Emmerdale has come to an end. I always say I don’t know where the time has gone but I genuinely don’t have a clue. I want to thank every single person who has supported me, rooted for me, watched me develop and grow over these past 5 years, I truly appreciate you.
“It’s been a massive chapter of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. Emmerdale is a big family, from the minute I walked in the building on my first day I was made to feel welcome and wanted and I’ve been truly blessed to be a part of it.
“Making the choice to leave a place that felt like home, a place I was constantly learning, excited to be and where I was working alongside some beautiful and very talented people was never going to be easy.
“Being a part of a show that’s always been a family favourite, my mum’s, my late grandmother’s (Mamma’s), a show that became my dad’s favourite and making them all so proud, will honestly forever mean everything to me. So from the bottom of my heart, I’m forever grateful and I thank you all. God bless.”
Anil Goutam
Known for his role as Jai Sharma’s secret father Amit, and brother to the late Rishi Sharma, Anil Goutam was involved in an explosive storyline when he was almost murdered by his son.
He was later bound and gagged by Jai, who finally agreed to let him leave the village for good as long as he didn’t say any goodbyes. It has been reported Anil decided to quit the role after six months
Alan McKenna
Best known for playing Rhona’s nasty ex-husband Gus Malcolms, Alan McKenna also departed Emmerdale for pastures new in 2024.
Gus lied to Rhona about using her eggs to get his new wife Lucy pregnant, and when Lucy died in childbirth, dropped his daughter on Rhona’s doorstep. He continued to manipulate her throughout a lengthy court trial, and was eventually sent down for eight years – leaving a rift between Rhona and Marlon.
James Chase
Though Emmerdale fans are desperate to see the back of villain Tom King, it has left some devastated that they won’t see actor James Chase’s face any longer once his domestic abuse storyline wraps up.
According to The Sun, James has already quit, with his character having a “shelf life” – though he’s still currently in the soap terrorising Belle Dingle and manipulating Amelia. One source claimed: “The story isn’t over yet. Things are going to get even worse before they get better. It’s the right time to leave. James has loved his time on the show playing such a powerful story but the truth is that characters like Tom have a shelf life for a reason.
“There’s no long-term redemption for Tom coming – he has to leave one way or the other. And either way it will be dramatic. James is rightly proud of the part he’s played in raising awareness of the issue with the story but it’s time to go and spread his wings.”
