Emmerdale's Daisy Campbell is set to depart the show after an impressive 13-year stint, as producers have decided to write out her character, leaving the actress "grieving" over the unexpected exit.
Joining the popular soap at the tender age of eight as Amelia Spencer, Daisy, now 21, has confessed to facing a tough time since being summoned to a secretive meeting where she was informed that her final scenes would be broadcast just before Christmas.
In an exclusive chat with the Mirror to break the news, Daisy, 21, shared: "It wasn't my choice to leave Emmerdale and it was a shock at first. Being in Emmerdale is all I have ever known. I've spent the whole of my childhood growing up in the soap and it felt daunting."
Her character Amelia is currently entangled with the villainous Tom King, unaware of his mistreatment of Belle Dingle, and is also a mother to two year old Esther, following a surprise pregnancy with Samson Dingle in 2022. However, following the departure of Amelia's on-screen parents from the Dales, showrunners conveyed to Daisy that they had exhausted potential plots for her character.
"Once they explained, I totally got it," Daisy remarked. "Amelia isn't part of the Dingles, her dad has left, Samson has gone now and she doesn't have any family. There is nowhere to take Amelia and I understand that. I feel incredibly lucky to have been in the soap for 13 years and to have been handed so many opportunities at such a young age.", reports the Mirror.
Daisy was informed of her departure in May but has only now found the courage to share the news, disclosing that she needed time to "grieve" At first, only Daisy's closest allies on set Rosie Bentham, Katie Hill, and Jack Downham knew of her impending exit.
"They were upset for me but so supportive. I didn't tell the rest of the cast my news initially as I wanted the time to process everything. I needed time to grieve the part of Amelia," Daisy said.
It was only in July that she began informing others. She reflects: "I had worried so much about how I was going to tell people I was going and now I know I shouldn't have! They were all brilliant."
Five months on, Daisy acknowledges feeling grateful that it was Emmerdale's decision for her to leave rather than struggling with the decision herself.
"Obviously it was a shock at first but now I have had time to digest it all, I am really excited," Daisy shares. "Emmerdale has actually done me a favour because I would never have left if they hadn't decided there was no longer anywhere to take Amelia."
"I am glad it was their choice and not mine. I see it as a big positive now because it is such a great chance to push myself, start a new chapter away from Emmerdale and take on hopefully some new parts. I am really excited about what lies ahead."
The Mirror has learned that while the exact details of her exit are shrouded in secrecy, the show's producers have decided not to kill off her character. "I am pleased the door is being left open. But I can't say too much about how she leaves."
The actress hints that her departure will be closely tied to her character's tumultuous on-screen relationship with the villainous Tom. After Belle bravely ended their marriage in September due to a harrowing period of coercive control and domestic violence, Tom quickly found solace with an unsuspecting Amelia.
However, viewers have witnessed Tom continue his mental torment of Belle behind Amelia's back.
On Bonfire night next Tuesday, Amelia will begin to perceive Tom in a new light, Daisy teases.
"He gets annoyed with Amelia and it's a turning point for her," the actress reveals. "Could Amelia be the second Belle in terms of Tom's nastiness? Everyone will have to wait to see."
Daisy commends the soap opera for addressing such a critical issue, saying: "It is great the soap is raising awareness about how women need to be believed. It's been nice for me to get my teeth into such an important story."
Born in Leeds in 2003, Daisy joined Rebel Acting School as a youngster and soon secured a role in the renowned Yorkshire-based soap. She continues to live with her family parents Rory and Alison, a younger brother who also acts, and a sister who is a national dance champion all of whom have been supportive of her decision to depart from the show.
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"My mum actually had a gut instinct that this might happen anyway," Daisy reveals. "But they have been brilliant and told me to enjoy seeing where my career takes me next. I am very lucky as I do live at home, so I don't have to worry about rent. I am a free bird! ".
Reflecting on her 13-year tenure in the soap, Daisy expresses her enjoyment of every moment and emphasises that she has no regrets about starting young.
"I will be forever grateful for my whole time spent in Emmerdale," she declares. "It's been amazing to learn from people who have been in the industry for years and I will take all their advice with me. I have made so many friends on set and I am going to miss everyone. But I feel lucky to have grown up on the soap. I have never felt I have missed out at all."
Daisy still values the guidance given by actress Kelli Hollis, who portrayed Amelia's mum Ali.
"She told me to always stay grounded and never let my head get big," Daisy confides. "When I was little, I was always so energetic and I can remember running around the set. She told me to never change. Her advice was so great as I would have hated to have let being in Emmerdale go to my head."
Daisy Campbell, who plays Amelia in Emmerdale, has highlighted her character's 2018 kidnapping and shocking teenage pregnancy as two of her favourite storylines. "Working on both stories has been great,' she says. " she shares.
"Amelia getting kidnapped was my first big storyline and it really made me realise how much I wanted to work as an actress for the rest of my career. The teenage pregnancy has also been great and it's been very enjoyable to work with a baby and now a little child (Florence Mae Dyson) who plays Esther."
Despite enjoying working with children on set, Daisy laughs off the idea of having a baby herself anytime soon. The 21 year old actress, who confirms she is in a relationship but prefers to keep it private, says: "It's nice to work with a child and then go home and be a 21-year-old again! ".
Daisy recently filmed her last scenes for Emmerdale, which are set to air in December. "I cried in my final block of filming," she confesses.
"But we had a leaving party last week and that was a lot of fun. I know I will continue to see all the friends I have made now I have left."
When asked about her future plans, Daisy is full of enthusiasm. "Oh my gosh there is so much I want to do," she exclaims.
"Since I finished filming, I have got even more drive and determination. Theatre, TV dramas, film I am open to anything. I am excited to get out there and see where my next chapter takes me."
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