Emmerdale actress Kate McGregor is best known for her role as much-loved misfit Emily Kirk on the long-running ITV soap.
She played the quirky character for eight years, (taking maternity leave between December 2005 and October 2006) until she left the soap for good in December 2007.
McGregor stated that she chose to leave as she felt that her character had run its course and that she wanted to spend more time with her family. However, she later assumed the role again for a single episode in March 2008.
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Emily Kirk made her Emmerdale debut in 1999, she had lived a sheltered life with only her strict father in her life. Having lost his wife, Claire when Emily was just two, John was fiercely protective of his little girl and brought her up to be afraid of the outside world.
But when she took a job at Viv Windsor’s post office, Emily's life was transformed. Emily was at the centre of many dramatic storylines in her time in the village.
And she was right at the heart of the Dingle family, being married first to Butch Dingle and then to Paddy Kirk, the ex-husband of Butch’s cousin Mandy Dingle.
Her other storylines include looking after Debbie Dingle’s baby Sarah, before returning her to dad Andy Sugden. The character then became a vicar before leaving the Dales to start a new life in Manchester.
But what happened to Emily Kirk star Kate McGregor after she left the village and what is she up to now?
Where is Kate McGregor now?
Kate McGregor left Emmerdale after becoming a mum, stating at the time: "I've had an amazing eight years on the show but feel the time is right to try something new.
"I will miss everyone at Emmerdale desperately but I'm really excited about what the future holds."
Kate has stepped away from the spotlight, and after appearing in a theatre production called The Flint Street Nativity, she doesn’t seem to have acted since.
Emmerdale airs 7.30pm weekdays on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.
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