Emmerdale star Fiona Wade on the red carpet and in a bubble as Priya Kotecha
Soaps

Fiona Wade exits Emmerdale as Priya after 14 years

Priya is leaving the village behind

As Priya in Emmerdale leaves our screens, is actress Fiona Wade leaving Emmerdale for good?

Fiona has played Priya for 14 years since joining in September 2009.

The action on screen this week has seen Priya offered a job in London, which she accepted.

She departs screens on Friday January 27.

But why did Fiona choose to leave the soap?

Emmerdale: Priya is looking traumatised at Take a Vow
Priya’s exit story will see her revisit her past (Credit: ITV)

Is Fiona Wade leaving Emmerdale?

Earlier this week Priya was haunted by the past when a fire broke out at Take A Vow.

Despite being freaked out, given her experience in the maize maze last year, Priya eventually owned her fear.

It impressed London businessman Justin, who soon offered her a job.

The only problem was, he’d also offered it to Leyla.

Leyla was fuming when Priya got in and accepted it first, but Priya was adamant she was leaving to start a new life in the big city. But is the exit for good?

David then went a bit nuts.

He’s the father to Priya’s daughter, Amba and kidnapped the little girl to stop Priya taking her away.

Leyla managed to track David down and make him see sense. He brought Amba home and apologised just as Priya was calling the police.

But the whole ordeal made Priya rethink everything.

Instead of moving to London next week, she decided she was going straight away.

A hasty leaving party was organised and then it’s time for Priya to bid farewell.

Priya on Emmerdale
Fiona Wade’s exit as Priya is imminent (Credit: ITV)

Fiona Wade reveals reasons behind leaving Emmerdale

Priya’s exit is not temporary.

Fiona Wade has left the soap for good.

Speaking to DigitalSpy, Fiona explained her reasons for leaving Emmerdale.

The actress said: “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. Leaving my Emmerdale family is a big thing and it wasn’t easy filming my last scenes.

“When you’ve been somewhere for that long and that’s your every day, it’s hard and feels sad.”

She added her reasons for leaving: “But as every actor knows, you need to challenge yourself and that’s very important too.”

Priya crying in Emmerdale
Priya has been through it during her time in the Dales (Credit: ITV)

Fiona Wade as Priya in Emmerdale

Fiona reflected on Priya, and what playing the character meant to her.

“She is a sassy, strong independent woman. She’s a single mum, a business woman. She’s edgy and fun and she has guts,” said the actress.

She continued: “Getting to play someone who is that sassy and cool and glamorous but also has all of these complexities and layers to her which make the character so much more interesting and relatable.

“I’ve loved playing her and she’s been so much fun.”

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale this year?

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Emmerdale usually airs on weekdays at 7:30pm, with an hour long episode on Thursdays.

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Joel Harley
Freelance Writer