ITV/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025 By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025 Who's leaving Emmerdale in 2025? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales Emmerdale stars leaving in 2025 Aidan Moore Joe Absolom John Sugden Robert Sugden Share By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025 By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025 We’re all excited to see what’s in store for the locals of Emmerdale in 2025, but who’s leaving this year? There have already been huge changes to the Emmerdale cast with four deaths and plenty of other exits, plus some exciting returns (yes, we’re looking at you, Robert Sugden!) And now another newcomer has been announced. Mysterious Kev has a connection to another villager – but who? And what does he want? Here is the lowdown on who’s coming and going in 2025. Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025? Georgia Jay will go on maternity leave (Credit: ITV) Steph Miligan Actress Georiga Jay is set to leave the soap in the coming weeks. But Steph’s exit won’t be permanent – she is is pregnant with her first child. So Georgia will be heading off on maternity leave very soon. And of course there’s still the small matter of Anthony’s body, so there’s plenty of drama for her to return to! article continues below Read all the latest spoilers 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.” John Sugden has done some pretty awful things (Credit: ITV) Is John Sugden leaving Emmerdale? Viewers know John has been keeping big secrets and living a totally different life to what his friends and family know. He secretly hurts people so he can then save them and be the hero. But someimes it goes wrong – like with his ex, Aidan Moore, who is in a coma in hospital, and with Nate Robinson, whose body was discovered at the bottom of a lake. The walls are closing in on John as he has framed Owen Michaels for Nate’s death to cover his tracks. But his perfect plan didn’t count on detective Robert who is suspicious and goes digging for answers. John is also talking to a helpline volunteer – who we know is Paddy – so it’s only a matter of time before he is exposed. Surely! Although neither Emmerdale nor actor Oliver Farnworth, who plays John, have commented on how long he’ll stay in the Dales, it seems certain he will have to exit at some point. He has not only killed Nate, but drugged Chas Dingle and framed Ella Forster for it, as well as disposed of Anthony Fox’s body, battered Liam over the head with a bat and caused the slurry tank leak putting his own nephew in hospital. For that he has framed Mack. None of this can go unpunished. There is certainly no chance of a redemption arc, unless of course he goes away and comes back better. So it doesn’t seem to be a question of if he is leaving, but when… Who’s leaving Emmerdale – recent departures Out-there Gail is said to be off (Credit: ITV) Gail Loman Rachael-Gill Davis was the most recent departure from the soap. After realising her and boyfriend Ryan had very different dreams for the future, Gail decided to move to pastures new. She went to Devon to run a B&B with her friend. According to The Sun Rachael agree to leave the soap after her character failed to integrate into village life. The source said: “Rachael has loved her time on the show but it’s time to go. “Bosses felt the character wasn’t inspiring much story and so it was all very amicable. The door has been left open but it’s a definite goodbye for now. “Rachael is looking forward to spreading her wings and showing off her talents on other shows.” Emmerdale declined to comment on the report. Who else has left Emmerdale this year? There have been several other departures this 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 Who’s returning to Emmerdale in 2025? April’s friend from the streets returns next week (Credit: ITV) Dylan Penders April’s friend from the streets, Dylan, was last seen heading off to rehab. He had been staying with April and Marlon wanted rid of him so framed him for ketamine theft. Dylan overdosed after being thrown out and Marlon felt so guilty, he paid for him to go to rehab. Dylan decided to have no further contact with April while he got better, although he did write her a letter, which Marlon hid from his daughter. But Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw then revealed Dylan was coming back. She told us: “Lovely Fred Kettle, who plays Dylan, is coming back. “He’s going to be bringing his past back to the village with him and that’s going to cause a few problems for April and the wider family.” Dylan returns on Monday July 28. But although he tells April he is clean, he’s clearly in trouble because he’s one of two masked teenagers breaking into Butler’s. Scared Kyle stabs Dylan in the leg with a pitchfork. Dylan is sleeping at the cricket pavillion – so he’s obviously not got his life back together fully. And he’s afraid of drug dealer Ray. So how are they connected? 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. Who’s joining Emmerdale in 2025? Chris Coghill plays mysterious Kev in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV) Kev Former EastEnders baddie Chris Coghill has started filming at Emmerdale this week as newcomer Kev. His first scenes are set to air in late September. Kev will first be seen arriving in the village looking for directions., but he is looking for someone and has a connection to one of the villagers. Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: “We are delighted that someone of Chris’ calibre has joined our cast. I think the viewers will be intrigued to see how the character of Kev will cause shockwaves this autumn. “Kev has a strong connection to one of our characters and it’s safe to say his arrival is going to be a massive surprise that will have major repercussions for some of our villagers.” Chris, best-known to soap fans as paedophile Tony King in EastEnders, said:”I am really happy to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. “Kev is definitely going to shake things up a bit and I’m looking forward to getting cracking!” Celia will be played by Jaye Griffiths (Credit: ITV/Mark Bruce) Celia Former The Bill star Jaye Griffiths is joining the soap as new farmer Celia. Celia has already been seen on screen in June when she spoke to Moira about renting two of her fields. She was also in involved with Paddy when her dog attacked him and we really got the measure of her from her reaction. Although some fans are now questioning where she has disappeared to as we haven’t seen her again since, Celia will be back. Jaye Griffiths said: “I was delighted to get this role. Without giving the game away she is very different to anyone I have played before. I can’t wait to really get into the heart of her storyline.” Producer Laura Shaw added: “We are absolutely delighted to have Jaye Griffiths joining us to play the role of Celia. Having recently taken over a nearby farm, not much is known about mysterious Celia’s past before arriving on the outskirts of the village. “While Celia has a tough edge with an air of respectability, the audience, and our villagers, will soon start to see what this woman is truly capable of.” Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list for 2025 *This article is updated regularly to reflect the ongoing changes within the Emmerdale cast. Share Good to Know Share By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025 By Laura Morgan Jul 24 2025
