Shock at Emmerdale as THIS fan favourite quits the soap

Emmerdale logo
(Image credit: ITV)

There's shock for soap fans today as it has been announced that Emmerdale favourite Gaynor Faye will be departing the show...

It has been revealed that Emmerdale star Gaynor Faye will be departing the soap after seven years playing village businesswoman Meghan Macey.

The actress revealed her plans to depart the show to OK! Magazine, explaining that she would be moving on to explore other acting projects.

She told the magazine: "I know it is a risk, but I need to push myself out of my confront zone. I've always been the type of person who doesn't want to stay playing the same character for too long.

GAYNOR FAYE Emmerdale

Gaynor has been playing Emmerdale's Megan since 2012 (Credit: ITV)

"I've been on the show for over six years and have naturally reached a point where I'd like to do some other stuff."

Since joining the soap back in 2012, Gaynor hasn't been short of gripping storylines, with the most recent being her role in the car crash that left village legend Eric Pollard fighting for his life in hospital.

Megan caused the crash while texting as she drove her car... so could her departure from the village mean she is heading to prison for her dangerous driving crime?

Megan in Emmerdale

Megan has found herself unpopular in the village after causing a huge crash (Credit: ITV)

Actress Gaynor revealed at a press day recently that there is a very good chance her chance her character could end up behind bars...

"If Megan goes to prison, I don't think it'd be a great place for her. I think she'd definitely get into a lot of trouble.

"But that could be a good thing - it'd be great to play. We have got a little prison set because so many people go to prison on this show!"

Megan Macey and Frank Emmerdale

Where will Megan's departure from the village leave her relationship with Frank? (Credit: ITV)

Exactly how Megan will bow out of Emmerdale later this year remains to be seen, but Gaynor has hinted that she would like to spend more time with her son once she has finished filming.

The actress has admitted that she would like to do some travelling with her 18-year-old as he is just about to finish school and go to university.

What better way to celebrate than by packing up and seeing the world?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

Main image credit: ITV

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.