ITV/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 Who's leaving Emmerdale in 2026? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales Emmerdale stars leaving in 2026 Aidan Moore Joe Absolom John Sugden Robert Sugden Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 Last year was quite the year of comings and goings for the locals of Emmerdale and now we’re in 2026 we’ve already seen some big exits and one HUMONGOUS return (we’re looking at you, Graham). So what else do we know about who’s leaving and joining this year? There were huge changes to the Emmerdale cast in 2025 with four deaths and plenty of other exits, plus some exciting returns in the shape of Robert Sugden. And already in 2026 we have four confirmed exits. Here is the lowdown on who’s coming and going in 2026. Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2026? Victoria will be going soon (Credit: ITV) Victoria Sugden In the coming months we will be saying goodbye to the iconic Victoria Sugden. But in happier news, it’s because actress Isabel Hodgins is expecting her first baby! Isabel recently got married and she joins the many Emmerdale stars having babies recently. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers It just means we will lose Victoria soon. Isabel revealed to The Mirror: “I will miss it. I love the people there, but I’ve worked there for 19 years, so I feel like I’ve done what I’ve wanted to do and been selfish with my career. “Now, it’s time to devote my life to being a mum, that feels right to me. But there’s still FaceTime, so they won’t forget me!” And now she has killed her half-brother John, is this what will force her to leave? Could she go on the run to avoid jail time – and maybe meet up with her ex husband Adam Barton in France and live happily ever after? Tracy will be leaving soon (Credit: ITV) Tracy Robinson Another baby is expected among the Dales cast as Tracy actress Amy Walsh is about to have her second baby with EastEnders-star husband Toby-Alexander Smith. The couple already share daughter Bonnie, four. No hints have been given over how Tracy will leave, but she is currently having a hard time after her estranged husband Nate Robinson was murdered. Tracy also got herself into shed loads of debt. Next week on screen she will get hold of John Sugden’s ashes and determined to avenge Nate’s death, she will flush them down the toilet. Will this lead to her exit? Fears over who else is leaving Emmerdale Evidence was found against Moira tonight (Credit: ITV) Moira Dingle As Moira Dingle finds herself charged with double murder, plus human trafficking and drug dealing, there are serious fears actress Natalie J Robb is leaving Emmerdale. There seems to be little hope she can get off with the evidence stacking up against her (despite multiple flaws!) However, in a recent interview with Metro, Natalie revealed she has actually just signed a brand-new contract. So, luckily for fans, Moira Dingle doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. She told the outlet: “I think that would be the first thing they would say to you ‘this is going to be it’. I’ve been lucky enough just to get another contract. So I think they would obviously say ‘sorry you’re going to be leaving but this is going be your out’. “So when they just told me about the story I didn’t think that. I just didn’t really know how long I was going to be in for. And how serious the allegations were going to be at that point.” Evil Celia is dead and buried (Credit: ITV) Who left Emmerdale in 2o26? Already this year some big exits have aired: Celia Daniels Ray Walters John Sugden Who left Emmerdale in 2025? There plenty of departures last year. The following have left the Emmerdale in 2025: Wendy Posner Ella Forster Leyla Harding Amy Barton Suzy Merton Anthony Fox Brenda Walker Aidan Moore Gail Loman Kev Townsend Who’s returning to Emmerdale in 2026? Graham Foster is back! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Graham Foster! In the historic one-night-only crossover between Emmerdale and Coronation Street, there was a mystery man with an unknown woman tied up in his van. During the crash, his van got caught up in the aftermath. But it wasn’t until Joe Tate arrived at the scene when the man got out of his vehicle. And then he was seen at the hospital watching Joe’s room. And that’s when we finally got to see his face. The one and only, Graham Foster, played by Andrew Scarborough. Graham is now back in the village and very much making himself at home at Home Farm. Show boss Laura Shaw has confirmed this is a full-time return for Graham and viewers could not be happier. Mandy will leave – but she’ll be back! (Credit: ITV) Mandy Dingle There is a Mandy Dingle shaped hole in the Dales at the moment as Lisa Riley has departed. However, it is only for a short time as she is taking on the challenge of I’m a Celebrity. Lisa filmed her final scenes before jetting off to the jungle, where she fast becoming a favourite. According to The Sun, there won’t be much fanfare around her exit it will be “lowkey and very brief”. A source told them: “Lisa filmed her scenes last week, Mandy goes to visit friends and will be back before you know it. “She’ll be back filming full throttle once she’s back from her trip down under too. Fans won’t have long to wait for her return once the scenes air next year.” In fact, Mandy went to Ireland to help with wayward Tina Dingle‘s kids after her cousin was arrested. She has been seen on video calls with Paddy and will return very soon. Steph was shocked to discover Ross had a fling with Manpreet (Credit: ITV) Steph Miligan Actress Georiga Jay recently left the soap. But Steph’s exit isn’t be permanent – she is is pregnant with her first child. So Georgia has headed off on maternity leave – but she will be back soon! Steph and Ross had just restarted their romance when she discovered he lied to her about not being with anybody else since they split. Not being able to cope with everything, and no longer trusting the man she loves, Steph decided to leave the village. Georgia announced her pregnancy in June in a social media video with co-stars Beth Cordingly (Ruby) and Bradley Riches (Lewis). A source told The Sun: “Everyone’s thrilled for Georgia and can’t wait to see her back when she’s ready. “Steph’s exit will happen in the next few weeks and see her flee abroad in typically dramatic fashion. “But with Anthony’s body still out there, there’s a huge storyline still to be wrapped up for when she returns.” 2024 was a difficult year for Cathy (Credit: ITV) Cathy Hope Actress Gabrielle Dowling, who plays Cathy Hope, has stepped away from Emmerdale for a break. A source revealed to The Sun that the actress was taking time off to focus on her exams. “Gabrielle has been working solidly on the show for her entire life but with her A levels coming up thought it was best to take a break to focus on them,” they said. “She will be gone for a matter of months and will return later in the year once exam season is over. “Her exit storyline is being kept quiet until it plays out on screen but it’s only going to be a temporary one.” The exit then saw Cathy head off on a round-the-world cruise with stepmum Brenda Walker. But although Brenda is staying away for good, Cathy will return. Kev has also left Emmerdale(Credit: ITV) Kev Townsend This might just be wishful thinking, but there are multiple calls for Kev Townsend to return to the soap – and they are surely getting too loud for Emmerdale to ignore! After being held hostage by John, Kev got away and returned to the village to tip Aaron off about John and then went to see Lewis. Nicola intercepted him and told him to leave. She gave Kev an ultimatum: tell Lewis the truth about being his dad and then stick around and actually be a dad to him. Or leave for good. Kev was seen walking away, and Chris Coghill who plays Kev has now confirmed that was the last we are set to see of him. He wrote on his Instagram: “Right. In a bit Emmerdale. Been an absolute joy. Thanks for all the love for Kev.” Fans are gutted to see him go and there is hope for a return. But that’s it for now. Who’s joining Emmerdale in 2026? Following the arrivals of Celia, Ray and Kev, Emmerdale has not announced any other new characters at present. Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list for 2026 *This article is updated regularly to reflect the ongoing changes within the Emmerdale cast. Share Add as a preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as a preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 14:02 Previous Story Next Story
