Emmerdale fans are convinced that one of the stars has secretly quit the soap ahead of their planned exit after their character ‘disappeared’ from our screens without a trace. 

Viewers of the ITV show think that Ella Forster, played by actress Paula Lane, has already left the village.

Ella first appeared in the Dales back in January 2024.

She managed to bag herself a job as a receptionist at Brook Cottage Surgery and has appeared in 82 episodes over the past year.

However some have pointed out that more recently she’s not featured in many scenes.

They shared their worry about the character on discussion site Reddit and were quick to chime in with their theories.

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Emmerdale fans think that one star has secretly quit the soap ahead of planned exit

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The actress took on the role of Ella Forster in January last year

One asked: ‘Has Ella gone? Know the actress quit suddenly, she’s not mentioned in the spoilers. Is she gone already? Did she leave when Wendy ratted her out?’

Another replied: ‘I feel bad for Paula Lane. Apart from that one episode where her secret was revealed, they really gave her NOTHING to work with.’

A third chimed in: ‘She’s really good, it’s a shame they didn’t use her much.’

‘Not yet, she’s just absent. She’s been horrifically wasted by the “writers,”‘ a fourth wrote.

In another thread, a fifth fan wrote: ‘I think she was a great potential character, her friendship with Mandy was really sweet when she was struggling, and I think there was real potential to make that friendship really strong, but they just made her mopey.’

A sixth fumed: ‘A pathetic waste. A character with potential just gets tossed out to get the local easy rides together. I’d be firing people at this point.’

Although some think that she has already left the soap, she is due to stop filming later this month.

Paula’s Spotlight page states: ‘Currently appearing as series regular Ella in Emmerdale ITV filming until February 2025.’

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Paula pictured at the National Television Awards in 2014

This means that the character could be on our screens until around March.

Prior to joining the Emmerdale cast, Paula said: ‘I’m so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale.

‘Everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella.

‘I’ve already heard there are big plans for her and I can’t wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!’

Paula has had a very successful acting career over the years.

She’s arguably best known for playing Kylie Platt in ITV’s Coronation Street.

The star played the nail technician on the Cobbles between 2010 and 2016.

She’s also had roles in the likes of Heartbeat, Doctors, Call The Midwife, Father Brown and City 17.

Over the years the telly star has been nominated for a number of awards, but was awarded as Best Soap Newcomer from Inside Soap Awards in 2011.

Paula took to her Instagram earlier this week to talk about another role she recently took on.

Sharing a scene from the project, she wrote: ‘This was such a very special project from the heart to be a part of.

‘@whitenosugartv shared a first draft of this with me back in 2021.

‘We filmed this in September 2024. It is a beautiful short film about devotion and grief but above all HOPE.

‘Thank you for having the bravery to tell your beautiful personal story Tim and Hannah and for trusting me to help play it out.

‘I’ve never known a love and strength like yours.’