Emmerdale star makes EXPLOSIVE Christmas exit after two years

Emmerdale sign
An Emmerdale character's time in the village ended in bloodshed. (Image credit: ITV)

Emmerdale star Jessie Elland has left the soap after two years as Chloe Harris' time in the village came to a dramatic end in tonight's episode (Tuesday, December 26).

The messy love triangle between Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb), Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Chloe reached a devastating conclusion after Chloe's dad Harry (Robert Beck) kidnapped Mack and held him hostage in revenge for his love rat ways.

However, everything came crashing down when Charity accidentally shot and killed Harry when she went to rescue Mack. In exchange for not reporting Charity to the police, Chloe negotiated a deal to leave with her baby son Reuben.

A heartbroken Mack said a final goodbye to his son as Chloe and Reuben left for good.

Chloe's time in Emmerdale was nothing short of dramatic. She was stalked, discovered that Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) was her biological mum, became a mother after a one-night stand, ended up in a coma after being involved in a horror clifftop car crash and her mysterious father was finally unmasked.

Chloe Harris, Harry and Charity Dingle stand behind a battered and tied up Mackenzie Boyd in an abandoned warehouse.

Emmerdale's messy love triangle came to a deadly end. (Image credit: ITV)

Jessie Elland said of her time in the show: “I’ve had the best two years of my life playing Chloe and being a part of Emmerdale. Over those two years it never got any less surreal to walk through the stage door at studios or to be stood outside the Woolpack at the village.

"I feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity and to have been trusted with such wonderful storylines. I really got to tick off the soap bingo card; giving birth, discovering new family members, a big stunt, a soapy slap, and even a classic back-of-the-taxi exit! All while working with, and learning from, incredibly talented people that I’d grown up watching on screen. 

"I’m sure you’ve heard other cast members say that being in Emmerdale is like being part of a big family but it couldn’t be more true. The cast and crew of Emmerdale are some of the nicest people I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet, and they all made Emmerdale feel like a second home to me.

Chloe Harris in Emmerdale.

Chloe made an explosive exit from Emmerdale. (Image credit: ITV)

"What made my time at Emmerdale even more rewarding has been the reaction of the viewers to Chloe and her storylines. Meeting fans of the show and hearing how much it means to them is such a special experience and never fails to make me feel so proud and lucky to be even a small part of something so loved. I can’t say thank you enough for that.

"It's really difficult to articulate how much Emmerdale means to me and it was by no means an easy decision to leave such a wonderful place and such wonderful people, I’m going to miss it so much, but I feel unbelievably lucky to be coming away with amazing memories and friends for life!”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30 pm on ITV1, with a hour-long episode on Thursdays — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on ITVX.

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.

You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!

Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.