It is a big year for Emmerdale with the show celebrating its 50th anniversary and we know lots of major storylines are being planned.
This could well see a few deaths in the village just after we thought it was safe following Meena Jutla’s crimes being unearthed. Soap bosses have already confirmed there will be lots happening with some major shocks expected.
Big milestones like this usually mean exits and we know anything can happen in soapland. Using a little help from our friends at Birmingham Live, we’ve rounded up which actors might be most likely to exit in 2022.
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Of course, you can tell us which characters you think we'll say goodbye to by commenting on this article. We'd love to know what you think.
In the meantime, scroll down and see what you think of our theories.
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. The show followed DIC Gene Hunt and his team of officers in the 1970s and 80s.
"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,” said Dean, in an interview we've previously posted. "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.
As we've previously reported, acting star 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."
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars. There you'll also find our Emmerdale features and news about the show's 50th anniversary plans.
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