Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten has spoken out after her character Rachel Breckle was shockingly killed off on the ITV soap.
Rachel, who left the soap in 2015, died off-screen while the cause of her death is yet to be confirmed.
Dan Spencer broke the news to former flame Jai Sharma, who shared a young son called Archie with Rachel.
In the latest double episode, Dan dropped Archie round to Jai's house as he confirmed Rachel had passed away, and that the youngster would now needed to live with him.
Viewers reeled from the twist as others shared their confusion over the decision to kill her off.
Now, actress Gemma has spoken out over the decision, bidding a final farewell to her character.
Taking to Instagram , she told her 17.3k followers: "And so Rachel has joined her soap family in the sky.
"What a journey it's been. I got the role of Rachel Breckle in @emmerdale within a year of graduating from Drama school and it changed my life.
"I always dreamed I'd be part of the show one day, and as many of you know my struggles as a teen, you'll understand why it really was a dream come true.
"Forever grateful for those four years playing her and the comfort of those jogging bottoms and hoodie (perhaps the not to much the scrunchy)."
She added: "Thanks for all the lovely comments since the news came out and for all the support I've had since I left the show in 2015. You're a lovely bunch!
"End of an era...such a privilege to have worked with so much talent and also our never forgotten Shirley Stelfox, Kitty McGeever, Freddie Jones and Richard Thorpe. Such an honour. #Rachel #Emmerdale #RIP."
Viewers commented on the post to offer their support, as well as their upset over the news the character had died.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
