Michelle Hardwick has opened up about her upcoming exit as Vanessa Woodfield as she gets ready for maternity leave from Emmerdale.
The actress, 44, is currently pregnant with her first child with wife and ITV producer Kate Brooks.
It has not yet been confirmed how she will leave the soap, and whether she will return, but her character Vanessa has been diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.
She is currently undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, and has been told by the doctor that she has every chance of living, but she has been organising for girlfriend Charity adopt son Johnny in the worst case scenario.
Speaking to Metro about her inevitable exit from the soap, Michelle said: "Charity adopting Johnny is a massive step in their relationship.
"Obviously with me not being onscreen for the foreseeable due to my pregnancy, the story will continue going forward as Charity navigates her life and parenthood in the absence of Vanessa."
Recently, the soap teased the potential return of Vanessa's baby daddy Kirin Kotecha.
Charity discovered that there may be an issue with Johnny's guardianship and being unable to become his guardian without Kirin's consent.
She tried to pry the information as to his and dad Rakesh's whereabouts last month from Priya, who admitted that she did not know.
Charity then lied to Vanessa about the problems regarding adopting Johnny - could this have an impact on her exit?
*Emmerdale airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV
