“BRENDA Walker’s Emmerdale exit storyline has been revealed – as actress Lesley Dunlop quits after 16 years. Viewers learned Lesley would be leaving the role back in November 2024. 4 Brenda Walker’s Emmerdale exit storyline has been revealed Credit: ITV 4 Brenda has been part of the ITV soap since joining in 2008 Credit: ITV”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Viewers learned Lesley would be leaving the role back in November 2024.
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Brenda Walker’s Emmerdale exit storyline has been revealedCredit: ITV
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Brenda has been part of the ITV soap since joining in 2008Credit: ITV
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Brenda recently called time on her relationship with PollardCredit: ITVEmmerdale is now laying the groundwork for the long-term character’s departure.
In scenes yet to air, Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) hopes to secure Brenda’s cruise ship tickets for herself and Jimmy (Nick Miles).
Left shocked when Brenda reveals she is going on the cruise alone, Nicola changes tactics.
She instead tries to get herself on board as Brenda’s plus one, offering her support.
When Jimmy realises about the changed situation, he’s put out.
He later tells Pollard (Chris Chittell) there might still be a chance for him and Brenda.
Pollard, who is Brenda’s former partner, bought the tickets last year as a gift for them to enjoy.
However, she ended their romance after Pollard lost her life savings in a cryptocurrency scheme.
Actress Lesley, 69, joined the soap in 2008 and is married to Pollard actor Chris, 76, in real life.
Brenda was first introduced as the adoptive mother to Gennie (Sian Reese-Williams).
Over the years, Brenda’s storylines have included having a brain tumour.
The character was also previously married to Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw).
Regarding actress Lesley’s exit, a source previously told The Mirror: “There have been so many exits recently and the talk is of more.
As Emmerdale’s current longest-serving character, Eric Pollard has seen his fair share of drama.
Introduced in 1986, the character was originally portrayed as a villain – but this has been since downplayed.
Here is a look back at some of Eric’s biggest storylines from over the years.
- Long lost son: Having had an affair with Lydia Halliwell, Eric left unaware that she was pregnant. His son David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) arrived in the village during 2006 – and ended up staying until 2023.
- Marriages: Eric has tied the knot on five occasions. His five ex-wives are Eileen Pollock, Elizabeth Feldmann, Dee la Cruz, Gloria Weaver and Val Lambert. Eric’s current partner is Brenda Walker – played by actor Chris Chittell’s real-life wife Lesley Dunlop.
- Bigamy: Upon marrying Elizabeth in October 1992, she was unaware he was still legally married to first wife Eileen. As a result, he was therefore committing bigamy.
- Parkinson’s diagnosis: In 2023, Eric left fans heartbroken after it was revealed he’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s – the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
“With people like Lesley and Roxy [Shahidi] potentially in the mix, nobody feels safe.
“The show has grown a lot bigger in recent years but soaps are expensive to make.
“It’s inevitable saving money means losing people – but it’s a huge shame all the same for those involved, their friends and colleagues.”
Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Lesley Dunlop’s exit was first revealed in November 2024Credit: ITV