It is a big year for Emmerdale as the show marks its 50th anniversary.
The ITV soap first aired on October 22, 1972 and remains to be one of the channel's most watched programmes. It was revealed on Emmerdale's official Instagram account earlier that the milestone year will be commemorated in "exciting" style.
The post said: "Our birthday year has begun! Watch out for lots of exciting things happening later in the year." The fictional Yorkshire village is just getting over the reign of terror caused by serial killer Meena Jutla.
READ MORE: ITV Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid thanks fans as she announces 'last day'
However, it never remains peaceful in the fictional Yorkshire village for too long and there could be some high profile exits to mark the big milestone - as Leeds Live reports.
We’ve rounded up which actors might be most likely to exit in 2022.
Dean Andrews - Will Taylor
Earlier this year, actor Dean teased that he could leave the soap over the rumoured return of BBC show Life on Mars and its accompanying series Ashes to Ashes. He told the Big Issue: "It seems to be something that is still ongoing. And you know, if I was a betting man, I might put a couple of quid on it.
"I’ve just got to try and beg Emmerdale.”
Nicola Wheeler - Nicola King
Nicola Wheeler recently hinted that she could leave the soap during an interview on ITV This Morning. Host Phillip Schofield grilled her on the soaps planned and appeared to tease he knew more than Nicola was letting on.
Nicola is having a tough time in Emmerdale at the moment. She is traumatised after being beaten and robbed by a girl gang with the horrific attack filmed and posted online in a sick twist.
Michael Wildman - Al Chapman
Al has had his fair share of storylines in recent months. Last year, he was responsible for the explosion of the Woolpack pub on Christmas Day - something which isn't yet known to the rest of the village.
He has also been involved in a bitter feud with Cain Dingle which concluded when Al saved Cain's life. This week, Al embarked on a full blown affair with Cain's sister Chas Dingle after the pair slept together for the first time.
Secrets and affairs never stay buried long in the soaps and Al's affair with Chas could reignite his feud with Cain and put him in danger. Al's son Ellis has recently moved to Australia which could see Al make a swift exit to visit his son.
According to IMDb, Michael is currently also filming voice work for a Lord of the Rings animation film. This would provide the perfect opportunity for Michael to take a break from the Dales to focus on other acting work.
Sally Dexter - Faith Dingle
Faith's fate is sealed after the beloved character was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After undergoing treatment in an effort to give her more time, Faith was told this week that her cancer had spread and that the treatment had failed.
Sally said: "I think (the exit storyline) is excellent. I haven't read the scripts for her death, but I'm hoping it's as positive as it can be. This isn't just a story about a cancer; it's a wider story about family."
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