Emmerdale's Gemma Oaten has paid tribute to her character Rachel Breckle, after her character was given an off-screen death in yesterday's (September 19) episode.
Rachel, who first joined the village back in 2011, spent three years in the Dales before moving away (and later briefly returning) with her and Jai Sharma's son, Archie.
Although Gemma didn't officially return to the soap to say her goodbyes to Rachel, her death is set to have a lasting impact for Jai, who will struggle to engage with son Archie when he isolates himself to cope with the loss of his mum.
Related: Emmerdale to kill a character off screen as Jai Sharma receives shocking news
Gemma instead bid farewell to her character on Instagram, telling fans that the role had "changed [her] life" and been a "dream come true".
As well as thanking fans for their support, Gemma paid tribute to the Emmerdale cast past and present, saying it had been a "privilege" to have worked with "so much talent". Reflecting on the "end of an era", she also remembered some of the soap's late stars, Shirley Stelfox (Edna Birch), Kitty McGeever (Lizzie Lakely), Freddie Jones (Sandy Thomas), and Richard Thorp (Alan Turner).
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Read her touching post in full below:
"And so Rachel has joined her soap family in the sky. What a journey it's been. I got the role of Rachel Breckle in @emmerdale within a year of graduating from Drama school and it changed my life. I always dreamed I'd be part of the show one day, and as many of you know my struggles as a teen, you'll understand why it really was a dream come true.
"Forever grateful for those four years playing her and the comfort of those jogging bottoms and hoodie (perhaps not so much the scrunchy 😂). Thanks for all the lovely comments since the news came out and for all the support I've had since I left the show in 2015. You're a lovely bunch!
"End of an era...such a privilege to have worked with so much talent and also our never forgotten Shirley Stelfox, Kitty McGeever, Freddie Jones and Richard Thorpe. Such an honour."
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Emmerdale homepage
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