Many Emmerdale fans were left stunned to learn of Fiona Wade's age as she celebrated her birthday on Sunday.
Fiona plays Priya Sharma in the Dales, after taking over from Effie Woods in 2011. Her character has battled an eating disorder over the years, with Fiona previously saying how important it is for soaps to explore difficult subjects.
While her on-screen performances see her playing a 35-year-old, Fiona is actually 43. After one fan posted a photo of her and well wishes to mark the occasion in an Emmerdale fan group on Facebook, many people were shocked as they thought she was much younger.
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One woman said: "You look far younger! Enjoy your special day", while another added: "Wow, 43? I would have put her in her late 20s. Whatever you're doing keep doing it, it's working wonders."
Another soap fan said: "Happy birthday you don't look 43 omg lovely lady have a great day x" and a fourth added: "Happy Birthday to Fiona. I read about her a while ago, they said she was 42, a typing error I thought...surely they meant 32?!"
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV and the ITV Hub
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