David is Leyla's hero when he lends her the money she needs to cover the wedding dress payment but it's a fair bet Tracy isn't going to be very happy!

David becomes Leyla's hero. Leyla is at rock bottom following her failed wedding to Pete. And to make matters worse she owes the dress designer money for the gown which has been ripped and is unreturnable. Fed up, Leyla decides she might as well wear the frock while she drowns her sorrows in the village.

Meanwhile, in David's shop, Tracy is celebrating her birthday and waiting for her husband to make it to the mini party. But David gets waylaid when he finds Leyla drunk and sat in an oily puddle in her wedding dress! Sad to see her so upset, David takes a weight off Leyla's troubled mind by lending her the money she needs to cover the dress payment.

Thing is, the cash is earmarked for a long-awaited holiday for he and Tracy. Seeing as his wife hasn't been consulted, and is already a bit iffy about his friendship with Leyla, how's Tracy going to react to hear they're not going to be going anywhere?

When David comforts Leyla - there's going to hell to pay!

When David comforts Leyla - there's going to hell to pay!

Leyla goes out drinking in her wedding dress and ends up slipping in a dirty puddle…

David finds Leyla…

… and listens to her tales of woe.

He consoles Leyla and offers to lend her the money she needs to pay for her ruined gown from her ruined wedding day. But the cash is meant to be paying for he and his wife to go on holiday… What will Tracy say?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 11 September.

Emmerdale's Anthony Quinlan looks very fit. He reveals to Soaplife how he keeps himself in shape – and he has a cheeky challenge for an EastEnders actor…

Emmerdale’s Pete Barton, Leyla Harding and Priya Kotecha have been positively glowing on-screen – and that’s not just because of their love triangle. Anthony Quinlan, who plays cheating Pete, also has something to do with it… Anthony is a qualified personal trainer and he’s been swapping fitness and nutrition advice with Leyla actress Roxy Shahidi and Fiona Wade, who plays Priya. “We’re all on these special juices,” he told Soaplife when we chatted to him recently. “Roxy’s really on point with her nutrition, but we all need to keep a clear head and you can’t do that on chocolate and crisps.” Anthony tells us more about his fitness regime, his dreams of opening a gym and his snack of choice: broccoli!

When did you qualify as a personal trainer? “I qualified when I was 18. Sport was something that I was always interested in and I used to play tennis for Lancashire. But I was always a jack of all trades and I was never good enough at any one particular sport. I used to work at a gym in Manchester, training people and making sure their diet was right. It was basically for anyone who wanted to look good naked!”

Have you always been super-fit? “As an 18-year-old, I was really fit. I’m 32 now and I was bigger then than I am now. I trained all the time and I ate like a horse. I’d be in the gym five or six nights a week, but my knowledge of nutrition wasn’t as good as it is now. I lost my fitness when I started going out to nightclubs and got into the indie scene. I used to be an all-or-nothing person, but I’ve found moderation as I’ve got older.”

When did you get into nutrition? “When I got to 26, I started toying with my diet and trying different eating patterns. I’m lucky, though, as I’ve never put on massive amounts of weight. I’m not a bad cook. My mum loves feeding me, too, and so does my neighbour. She’s Asian and the food she makes is unbelievable. She makes the most amazing lamb and rice.”

What are these juices you drink? “A couple I know manufacture them. They work for the NHS and one of them had a terminal illness. They changed their diet totally and now advocate an alkaline diet. My favourite contains broccoli, celery, spinach, kale, mint and a squeeze of lemon. Roxy and Fiona are on them, too.”

Broccoli juice? Really?! “It’s funny, because there was a time when I couldn’t stand broccoli. I think my palate must have matured! I actually snack on broccoli with chilli and garlic now. I prefer to eat that than a bar of chocolate.”

That doesn’t sound like much fun! “Everything in moderation, I say. I don’t obsess over it. I often go out with my fellow cast members for a meal, and then I’ll eat whatever I fancy.”

We hear you had a knee injury last year… “Yes. I had eight months out of training last year because of it and it was hell for me. It was so good to start training again and I’m probably the fittest I’ve ever been at the moment – and I’ve been quite shameless in documenting it on Instagram (as our picture shows)! I’m seriously into CrossFit now.”

Davood Ghadami, who plays Kush in EastEnders, does CrossFit… You should have a contest! “Let’s do it! Emmerdale vs EastEnders. He’d better know what I’m bringing. If he’s game, I’m ready.”

And you like doing challenges for charity… Tell us about that… “Yes, I’ve recently done a CrossFit competition called Battle Cancer 2017, which raised money for cancer charities, and I’m due to take part in the Stoke-on-Trent UK Triathlon on September 10. I’m training hard for that, but I don’t like swimming very much.”

What are your long-term fitness goals? “I really want to run my own gym and teach there. I have numerous friends in the fitness industry who want to come on board. I definitely think it will become a reality for me at some point.”

If it does, would that mean you’d have to quit Emmerdale? “No! Acting is my passion. But you never know when you might be out of a job. If that day comes, I want to have something to fall back on that I love as much as acting. You never know what’s round the corner in this profession. It’s coming up to October and that’s always a dangerous time to be in the village… Pete should go on a long holiday!”

Emmerdale, ITV

Emmerdale viewers had diverse reactions to Pete and Leyla's dramatic non wedding on Thursday

Bemused Emmerdale viewers labelled the soap’s Leyla Harding and Pete Barton’s efforts to jilt each other 'epic'.

The pair, portrayed respectively by Roxy Shahidi and Anthony Quinlan, were due to marry in Thursday night’s double-bill wedding special.

But as jitters got the better of both of them, the pair separately attempted to escape via the bathroom window only to catch each other in the act.

One fan dubbed the scene 'predictable but perfect' while others found it hilarious.

@CallyDay posted on Twitter: “Oh, that, was epic! Thanks for the laugh.”

@Davidashleywall tweeted: “Hahaha only Leyla could manage to have a wedding where both she & the groom try to do a bunk.”

@RyanJL wrote: “That has to be one of the best endings to an episode ever omg, I am screaming.”

Another viewer compared it to a Carry On film while @Bazzsullie called the scene 'beyond stupid'.

Despite her attempts to escape, Leyla is yet to discover Pete’s fling with her maid of honour Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade).

It might have only been a short clip in the whole episode but the wedding window scene was harder to film than you might think!

Most couples get nervous on the day of their wedding, but when it came to the day of their Emmerdale wedding, Leyla and Pete took it to the next level.

If the pure ridiculousness of seeing the pair hang out of separate lavatory windows wasn't enough to make you smile, imagine the actors doing it for seven hours!

While the scene was certainly entertaining, actors Roxy Shahidi (Leyla) and Anthony Quinlan (Pete) revealed it was quite tricky... and exhausting... to film.

In an exclusive interview with What's On TV, Anthony said: "It was fun to do, but I tell you what, being upside down wasn't easy!"

Roxy added: "It was for hours, it was about seven hours of filming those out-of-the-window scenes."

Both Roxy and Anthony enjoyed the scene because it offered a snippet of humour in a storyline which has been full of mixed emotions.

Sadly for Leyla and Pete it looks as though their roller-coaster relationship is about to take another downward turn. With Priya, played by Fiona Wade, and Pete sharing another intimate moment on the wedding day, will everything be revealed soon?

Read More...

Emmerdale Behind the Scenes Picture Special: Leyla and Pete's Wedding!

Emmerdale's Fiona Wade takes aim at Priya: 'I know how it feels to be cheated on'

Emmerdale's love triangle stars talk Leyla and Pete's wedding: 'It's all been a bit of a mishap' (VIDEO)

Speaking about Priya and Pete's wedding day kiss, Fiona said: "It was a complicated ending.... It comes back to showing that there are feelings there and they have both kind of been squashing them down and then obviously at the end of this horrendous heartbreaking day they still can't seem to just walk away from each other."

She was careful not to give too much away, but Roxy confirmed that Leyla will find the news hard to take.

Roxy said Leyla will 'beyond devastated' when Pete's affair is exposed. She added: "I think she could almost forgive him and almost understand it, but with Priya, I mean, they have been so close for so long, I don't think there is any words to really describe that kind of betrayal that you feel and that loss."

The Emmerdale star talks about the serious misgivings her character has about becoming Mrs Barton

Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi says her character wants marriage 'more than anything', but admitted she has doubts.

Roxy, who plays Leyla, is currently in the middle of one of the ITV soap’s hottest storylines as viewers wait anxiously to see if Leyla and Pete (played by Anthony Quinlan) will walk down the aisle.

The couple’s impending nuptials may be at risk following Pete’s affair with his bride-to-be’s best friend and maid of honour Priya (Fiona Wade).

Talking to Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on This Morning, Roxy said: “She’s (Leyla) desperate to get married, she’s madly in love with him.

“She’s kind of forced the question, but she’s got her doubts.

“She knows there’s something not quite right and she actually feels guilty for doubting him and for questioning him and questioning whether she should go through with it or not, but ultimately it’s what she wants more than anything.”

Roxy did not give away any clues about whether or not Leyla would discover the affair.

“I think that betrayal is much harder to understand and much harder to forgive and she doesn’t know now,” she said.

She added: “Will she find out I don’t know, but it is, I would say, far harder to forgive Priya than it would be to forgive Pete.”

She also said rumours that her co-star and love interest on the soap, Anthony, may be leaving aren't true.

When asked by Ruth about 'rumours that Anthony who plays Pete was leaving', she replied: “Well, I heard that, but as far as I know that is not true.”

Emmerdale fans will find out on Thursday night whether or not the couple will live happily ever after.

Emmerdale actors open up about the soap's latest will they/won't they wedding drama

Emmerdale's Leyla Harding and Pete Barton are set to walk up the aisle on Thursday, but as wedding's go it's been so rushed you wonder where the shotgun is.

What's on TV caught up with stars Roxy Shahidi (Leyla), Anthony Quinlan (Pete) and Fiona Wade (Priya) to talk about their jangling nerves as the big day approaches.

Good guy Pete realises he needs to confess to Leyla his affair with her best friend, Priya. But he wouldn't be the first soap character to run for the hills instead.

Anthony said the nuptials had been a 'bit of a mishap' from the proposal to the wedding plans.

He added: "Obviously it's a big day and Pete has been through all this before (with Debbie Dingle), but with what’s going on with Leyla’s best friend he feels he should come out and should be honest and tell her exactly what’s going on. I don’t think you can get involved in a marriage with all these lies and deceit going on…

"Pete is nervous, but he wants to tell her exactly what’s going on."

Equally, Priya has deceived her best mate, but sees the wedding as her chance to redeem herself with Leyla – even if she doesn't actually confess to her crime.

Fiona said: "Priya is really just wanting to be there for her best friend, she made the decision that it’s not Pete, it’s Leyla that she wants to keep and... she really, at the moment she just wants to be the maid of honour. She just really wants to live up to that, just be her best friend. And try and put everything behind her… and is kind of squashing her feelings."

Leyla, meanwhile, senses all is not right with Pete.

Roxy said: "She's got that sixth sense, that woman's intuition, Pete's behaviour has been a little bit erratic in the lead-up to the wedding, although she doesn't know why, that's it's not sitting well with her.

"But there's a little bit more to it than that. I feel like they have just rushed and, as much as she loves him, and she really does love him and they work really well together, I still think she knows she's rushed into it and there are a few things going on that are leaving her a bit unsettled..."

Will the deceit derail the wedding in explosive soap style, or will Leyla and Pete put their doubts to on side and become man and wife? Watch Emmerdale this Thursday.

Emmerdale actress Fiona Wade has revealed how people expect her to be just like Priya, with one ex-boyfriend even suggesting she should be more like her!

Emmerdale actress Fiona Wade has revealed how people expect her to be more like her on-screen character Priya, with one ex-boyfriend even suggesting Fiona should be more like her alter-ego.

Fiona has played flirty Priya for six years, and in that time her love live has been at the centre of more than a few shocking storylines.

Since she joined the show, Priya’s been in a wedding dress three times, although she’s only made it up the aisle once.

The latest – an affair with her best friend Leyla’s fiancé Pete – comes to a head this Wednesday when the couple’s wedding is due to take place.

It’s a will-they-won’t-they drama that’s had fans gripped for weeks, and hasn’t exactly shown Priya in her best light, but speaking to the Daily Mirror, Fiona was quick to jump to her character’s defence.

She said: "Pete needs to take his share of the blame too! It’s so often all blamed on the girl in this situation.

"He hasn’t taken much of the responsibility so far. In some ways I sympathise with Priya because I know her so well, but I also just want to give her a good shake. There is no excuse for what she’s doing to her best mate."

Fiona was keen to point out that her personality is nothing like that of her on-screen alter-ego, but that doesn't stop people from mistaking her for Priya when she's out.

She said: "Priya’s much more glamorous than me. She’s a power dresser, whereas I’m more chilled out.

"People call out Priya in the street – I feel like I have two names! But we’re in people’s homes every night and it can be real to them.

"They aren’t shy about telling me what they think of Priya – especially when it comes to her love life."

Take a look behind the scenes of Leyla and Pete's wedding day. It is picture perfect, but will the Emmerdale nuptials all go to plan?

It’s Leyla and Pete’s big day next week and, with the groom having had an affair with the Maid of Honour Priya, there’s bound to be a few fireworks. We headed to Yorkshire to watch Emmerdale's latest wedding day drama being filmed.

While most nuptials take place in the church hall, this one’s a much grander affair and was filmed over four days in super swish Oulton Hall, just outside Leeds. We were given a VIP seat to catch all the action…

This image is a sneak peek at the room where Leyla and Pete will exchange vows (if they get that far!) The room has been dressed by florist Sheryl Popplewell, who has worked for the likes of Elton John and Celine Dion.

She explained: "The big trees are artificial but we have real flowers - hydrangeas, scented roses, and larkspur gladioli."

Emmerdale Wedding – all the behind the scenes pics:

Actress Roxy Shahidi (Leyla) isn’t impressed when we catch her in her dressing gown between scenes, but she told us she was having a ball at the venue, and has booked a room to avoid a long commute from her home city of Nottingham. "I’ve already had a spa treatment, and when I get some downtime, I’m doing a bit of yoga," she said.

Here’s Roxy again – this time in her wedding dress. "It’s from Phase Eight, and we’ve got a few, in case there are any accidents," she revealed. "I think it’s quite classy for Leyla – I thought she’d have more feathers and colour. But sometimes she surprises even me, and goes for something a bit more demure."

Anthony Quinlan (Pete) poses for the camera with Michael Parr and Joe Gill, who play his screen brothers Ross and Finn. "We’ve gone for a nice little suit from Ted Baker for Pete," he told us. "It certainly beats Pete’s farming overalls, and it’s nice to see him scrub up for a change."

As Fiona Wade reapplies her lipstick, the actress who plays Priya told us: "It’s nice to be out of the studio and to see people that you don’t normally work with – often, you’re just waving at each other down the corridor."

Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa, looked pretty serious as she made a call between scenes, but she told us, "I live two minutes away from this location so I’m loving it! Plus, I’m not speaking, so I get the chance to relax and have a bit of a giggle with my mates."

Matthew Wolfenden gave us a cheeky smile, and revealed a wardrobe malfunction for his character, David. "The costume department got me a new blue suit, but I did the Full Monty documentary for ITV recently and spent nearly every day in the gym – and it didn’t fit. So I had to wear an old grey one instead."

Every guest was given an Order of Service – and we sneaked one for ourselves. Let’s just hope the cameras don’t zoom in for any close-ups – the front cover and the first page were the real deal but after that, it was random blurb all the way!

Adam Thomas (pictured with Isobel Hodgins) was surprisingly subdued and didn’t live up to his reputation as the loudest star on set. "He’s been fairly well behaved – I think he’s a bit tired," his co-star Amy Walsh told us. "If he’s not well behaved, he’s a nightmare! His laugh is so loud!"

Actress Gillian Kearney gets her hair and make-up checked by a crew member. The day was a chance for the actress to have some lighter material, following some dramatic scenes lately between her character, Emma Barton and Laurel Thomas.

As Amy Walsh (Tracy Metcalfe) fixes her make-up and re-curls her hair, she gave a big thumbs up to the show’s design team. "The room looks so lovely - the flowers and the lanterns are right up my street!"

Anthony Quinlan gets ready to film a scene in the hotel grounds. He said: "I’ve had two soap weddings before – one when I played Gilly in Hollyoaks and one when Pete married Debbie, which obviously didn’t go too well!"

He added: "They can drag on a bit, but we’re well looked after here. The food’s nice and I’ve nicked a few things off the breakfast buffet!"

Pete and Leyla's wedding is on screen Thursday, August 17 at 8pm on ITV

Priya Kotecha is behaving very badly, sleeping with best friend Leyla Harding’s bloke, Pete Barton. And now she’s fallen for him, says Emmerdale’s Fiona Wade

Priya Kotecha has been sleeping with Pete Barton, who is not just another woman’s man – he’s her best friend’s bloke! And Priya thinks she’s pregnant!

“She feels terrible about it,” Fiona Wade told Soaplife. “Suddenly it has all become much more complicated and she has developed feelings for Pete.”

Why is Priya doing this to her best mate, Leyla? “When she first slept with Pete, she was feeling insecure and needed comfort. I don’t even think she thought about Leyla [Roxy Shahidi], but now she is just feeling awful because she knows that her friend wants to marry this man.” It’s not like Priya, is it? “It’s like the old Priya. She is a strong and feisty woman and goes for what she wants. She is not completely innocent. She was loyal to Rakesh for a long time and that’s when she became a bit more strait-laced.”What are her feelings for Pete? “It was never about feelings at first, but they have crept in. She wants a husband and a family unit. She craves that a lot. Having slept with Pete a few times now, she has fallen for him.”What will happen if Leyla finds out the truth? “We might have a full-on cat fight! That would be fun! Priya and Leyla usually have lots of giggly, girly scenes, so we are both looking forward to them falling out!”Would it ruin their friendship? “I’d like to think that they could move on from this. Leyla is Priya’s only friend and was there for her throughout her eating disorder. They’re not just friends in passing. She helped her through the break-up with Rakesh, too. The more I think about it, the worse I think this situation is!”

Emmerdale, ITV

Loved-up Leyla proposes to hunky fella Pete in Emmerdale, not knowing he’s cheating on her with her friend Priya. Actress Roxy Shahidi reveals more

When one of Leyla Harding’s clients cancels their wedding, she sees it as an opportunity to propose to boyfriend Pete Barton. Little does she know that he’s slept with her best mate, Priya Kotecha!

“Leyla wants to lock him down,” Roxy Shahidi told Soaplife. “This cancelled wedding is a unicorn-themed affair. But the more ridiculous for Leyla, the better.”

So Leyla doesn’t suspect anything’s been going on between Pete and Priya? “Not at all. Priya [Fiona Wade] is her best friend and she’d be so hurt if she knew about her betrayal. If Leyla were at all suspicious, she’d find out what’s going on. She can be really savvy sometimes and totally blind to other situations. Leyla’s blinkered obsession with Pete means that he and Priya are just not on her radar at all.”

Why does Leyla want to marry Pete? “I just think she wants to get married. She’s always been after the perfect guy who really loves her. Now she’s a bit older, she wants to have children because she didn’t get the opportunity to bring son Jacob up. Pete [Anthony Quinlan] is that steady guy she’s been looking for – or so she thinks! Deep down, though, she knows he’s not 100 per cent ready.”

What happens? “There’s a lot of talk about weddings. Leyla tells Priya she’d jump at the chance to marry Pete, then thinks he heard her. She confronts him, but he changes the subject. Then this wedding is cancelled and Leyla mentions it, but Pete doesn’t get the hint. Finally, Tracy Metcalfe persuades her to propose. She’s like, ‘If you want something, go and get it!’ And Leyla does…”

Tell us about the proposal? “Priya walks in at the tail end of it and it’s super awkward. I can’t tell you if Pete says ‘Yes’. You’ll have to tune in for that.”

How does Nell find out about Pete and Priya’s affair? “After the proposal, Pete talks to Priya at Holdgate about how guilty he feels and Nell overhears everything.”

Emmerdale, ITV

Leyla proposes to Pete, still in the dark about him sleeping with her 'best friend' Priya in Emmerdale

It's a week of shockers in the Dales… Leyla pops the question to Pete, but will she find out he's cheated on her with her so-called best mate Priya? At the Woolpack, Ross gets in a punch up with his lover Jools' husband Roger. Chrissie meets up with a client who's calling himself Simon, but is really called Tim and is her biological uncle! Dan throws a surprise party for Kerry's 40th during which Frank puts Megan on the spot…

But the burning question is – will Pete say yes?

A cancelled wedding gives Leyla an opportunity…

Pete is gobsmacked when his girlfriend suddenly proposes!

As Leyla goes down on one knee, will her love-cheat boyfriend accept her proposal?

Meanwhile, Dan throws a surprise party for Kerry's 40th… but will it hit the right note?

Frank wants to know if Megan will take him back following the revelation that he slept with Charity…

Priya wants to know why Nell missed her important meeting with Social Services. Nell's response sends Priya reeling…

Ross has an angry husband on his case when Jools' hubby turns up at the Woolie and finds the pair together…

Jools tries to keep her lover Ross and her husband Roger apart…

But a surge of testosterone results in the men having a punch up!

Elsewhere, Megan thinks she's meeting a client called Simon, but in actual fact this man is her bona fide uncle, Tim!

Lawrence has had a tip-off that Tim is on the scene. When he crashes his meeting with Chrissie, who doesn't realise she's with her uncle, will Lawrence expose the secret?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 17 July.

The Barton brother becomes an escort to try and rake in some much needed money....

The Bartons are struggling for cash and after being rejected for another loan, Finn’s worried about how they’re going to pay the rent.

Later, after having spoken to Ross, Finn, who's feeling guilty about his huge financial splurge in Australia,  has a plan - he will become an escort! Talk about desperate measures!

Finn soon sets off  on his first date as an escort but has a serious wobble about the whole thing and ends up grabbing cash off the client and making a hasty run for it.

His livid date gives chase and tracks him down at Wylie's Farm where he angrily demands his money back however Finn has an ace up his sleeve when he threatens to out the man's secret dating escapades to his oblivious wife.

Ross catches up with Finn at the farm but trips on a cable and makes a shock discovery... a large scale cannabis enterprise!  Could this be the answer to all their financial problems?

Naughty Finn does a runner after nicking his client's cash!

Naughty Finn does a runner after nicking his client's cash!

Earlier on, the Bartons are struggling to pay their rent and when Emma is turned down for a loan at the bank things are looking bleak.

All their money-raising attempts have proved futile. What are they going to do?

A guilty Finn secretly confides in Leyla and reveals he blew all their money during his trip to Australia.

Now he's desperate to put things right. Suddenly he has an idea...he's going to become an escort!

Finn arranges a date with a man who just happens to be married.

The man hands over his cash up front but Finn, who's having a serious case of cold feet, seizes the opportunity to do a runner!

He grabs the cash and legs it to Wylie's Farm where Ross soon catches up with him.

However, while the pair are at the farm, Ross trips on a cable and makes a shock discovery. There is a secret large scale cannabis enterprise going on! Could this be the answer to all their cash worries. Let's face it, Ross and crime go hand in hand!Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 5 June.

Is a guilty Emma Barton about to crack and tell the truth about James's death in Emmerdale?

The Barton boys are worried to find their mum, Emma, passed out and at first think she's killed herself before realising she's been helping herself to tranquillisers in Emmerdale.

As the inquest in to James's death begins it's clear Emma is struggling to cope with all her lies and deception.

Is this the moment she finally cracks and confesses she shoved her sons' father to his brutal death?

Emma's a wreck as the inquest gets underway. Will she pull herself together or is she about to crack?

Emma's a wreck as the inquest gets underway. Will she pull herself together or is she about to crack?

Earlier on, Leyla's worried to discover Emma virtually unconscious on the sofa.

She realises the heart-broken nurse has been helping herself to medication.

Emma struggles to go to the inquest where she's required to give evidence.

Weighed down with overwhelming guilt, the anxious mum tries to hold it together as her sons watch on.

She's always been a master of deception, so can she bluff her way through this one?

As a worried Ross, Pete and Finn watch, Emma starts to falter.

It's all too much for her as she breaks down and confesses James's death was all her fault. Her boys are aghast!Is this the moment the grizzly and shocking truth is finally going to emerge?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, November 21

How will Nikhil react when Leyla suggests marriage?

Leyla sees Nikhil in a new light, Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi tells Soaplife… And she gets her son, Jacob, back - sort of...

Leyla’s love life has always been complicated - and it stays that way in 2016. She’s faking a relationship with Nikhil to wind up his brother, but real feelings start to creep in, reveals Roxy.

“She really wants a little family of her own. She had such a bad time with Jai, and she sees Nikhil is the opposite and she feels he could be right for her.”

But Leyla turns Nikhil (Rik Makarem) down initially. Why?

“She sees him as being a bit anal and strait-laced, with not much of a sense of humour.”

What makes her see him in a different light?

“Nikhil and Leyla are united in their concern for David [Matthew Wolfenden] and that brings out the best in them and they both see there’s more to the other than they first thought.”

What will Jai (Chris Bisson) make of their budding romance?

“It will be hard for him as it will be a big dent to his pride. However, right now, Jai’s priority is his child with Megan [Gaynor Faye] and I hope that will enable him to see beyond Nikhil and Leyla’s blossoming relationship.”

So she’s definitely over Jai?

“She’ll always have a weak spot for him, but it was more the idea she loved. She thought they’d move in together and have a little family. She’s finally realised Jai’s no good.”

Then her son Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) comes back to the village…

“He has a good relationship with David and Leyla and, as much as he loves Alicia [Natalie Anderson], moving abroad with her was too much of a change for him. He has friends and family connections in Emmerdale and he’s old enough to decide what works best for him.”

Is Leyla upset when he decides to live with David?

“Yes. She desperately wants to be a mum to him, but she realises he sees her as his cool Auntie Leyla and that’s how he loves her. She’ll always regret not being a mother to him, but she knows deep down that giving him up was the best thing she could have done for him at the time. Now he’s back, she would love to be a bit more involved.”

Emmerdale, ITV

Leyla has been trying to move on from her affair with Emmerdale love rat Jai Sharma, despite his attempts to win her back. But after a flirtation with Jai's businessman brother, Nikhil, will Leyla get the ultimate revenge by dating Nikhil for real?

Meanwhile, a familiar face shows up in the village...

Her teenage son, Jacob, has returned! Jacob was brought up by Leyla's sister Alicia and moved to Portugal with her when Alicia left the village last year. But now Jacob is back to visit Alicia's ex-hubby, David, and help out in David's store...

With Jacob back in the village, Leyla hopes she might be able to repair her relationship with the teenager, since she missed playing mum for so long. But Leyla's gutted when Jacob reveals he's decided to live with David instead of moving in with Leyla.

Can wedding planner Leyla find a way to get things back on track with her son now he's back in the village? All mixed-up, Leyla is touched when Nikhil gives her some advice.

Nikhil has taken a fancy to Leyla and is desperate to date her. It would also hit his horrible brother, Jai, where it hurts. But is Leyla interested in Nikhil's charms?

Things heat up between Nikhil and Leyla over a lunch date at The Woolpack and the pair later kiss passionately! Could this be the start of the next big village romance? Find out in Emmerdale from Monday, January 18 on ITV.

Leyla makes a move on Jai...just as he's about to marry Megan!

Photos of the big storyline in Emmerdale

Uh-oh! Is Jai and Leyla's affair about to be rumbled by Megan?

Things take a messy turn when Alicia inherits £70,000...and it ends up in the river!