A soap star has revealed that she is leaving Emmerdale after just a few months for a new role.
Angela Lonsdale has confirmed her exit from the ITV soap, where she has played Detective Sergeant (DS) Reid in a recent sexual assault storyline involving Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).
Ms Lonsdale announced the news in a social media post, sharing a montage of her time on set, including photos with cast members and in front of the iconic Woolpack pub.
Emmerdale star Angela Lonsdale confirms exit from ITV soap
"We have power together."#Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/2sjwoLiMHU
— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) July 21, 2026
She said: "What an honour and a privilege to play DS Reid and be trusted with such a sensitive storyline.
"Working alongside the phenomenally talented Emma Atkins, Michelle Hardwick and Lawrence Robb and Caroline was one of the highlights of my career.
"Absolutely loved working with you.
"The cast and crew made me feel part of the family from day one.
"Will miss you all.
"Final episodes air this week.
"Big thanks as always to my wonderful agents Kev and Sam."
DS Reid first appeared on screen interviewing Charity following an assault by Dr Caitlin Todd and has appeared throughout the subsequent investigation.
Ms Lonsdale is best known for her role as police officer Emma Watts in Coronation Street.
She first appeared on the cobbles in April 2000 and remained until September 2003.
During her time on the long-running soap, her character was known for a tempestuous marriage to Curly Watts and a bitter feud with neighbour Les Battersby.
Since her Coronation Street departure, Ms Lonsdale has appeared as DI Eva Moore in the BBC series Doctors, and has credits in The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, and Hollyoaks.
Emmerdale star Rebecca Bakes returning as Angelica King
In other Emmerdale news, one character is returning to screens for the first time in months.
Rebecca Bakes, who has played Angelica King since 2009, will return as part of a plot that sees the death of her on-screen father, Jimmy King, played by Nick Miles.
Despite not being on screen recently, Angelica was fictionally still in the village, with Rebecca last filming scenes in 2024, and her last on-screen appearance in January 2025.
She is not the only character returning as part of the storyline, with the actress's on-screen brother Nick Miles, played by Luca Hoyle, returning too after two years off-screen.
"The kids have been off-screen for almost two years but will make a return this summer," a source told The Sun.
"They’re all really excited to be back filming, but it’s tinged with sadness because Nick is leaving the show."
Jimmy is reportedly set to be killed off in a dramatic twist later this year, following reports that Nick Miles had been written out of the series.
The new storyline will also see the return of Emmerdale legend Patsy Kensit as the iconic villain Sadie King.
Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale? Let us know in the comments.
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