Who has quit Emmerdale this year? NINE actors have left so far in 2019
SOAPS see characters come and go over the years and Emmerdale is no exception, but as the saying goes 'the show must go on'.
This year the hit ITV soap has bid farewell to a staggering nine stars - so who has swapped the Yorkshire Dales for pastures new? Let's find out.
Viewers are concerned the show is heading for a downward spiral after Andrew Scarborough became the latest actor to quit the soap.
Insiders have told The Sun Online how having three producers - Jane Hudson, Kate Brooks and Laura Shaw - a soap first, has led to confusion and disarray behind the scenes with producers taking different storyline blocks each.
A source said: "It's really tough behind the scenes, morale is low and no-one seems to be aware of what's going on.
"Fans are noticing and it's really disheartening to everyone who works so hard on the show. There's a real feeling that something drastic has to happen to save the show."
Graham Foster
The 46-year-old has played the role of mysterious Graham Foster since 2017, arriving with Joe Tate and working as his associate at Home farm, before his disappearance.
He is also known for having a complicated relationship with Kim Tate.
Graham was brutally murdered in a dramatic whodunnit plot at the beginning of 2020.
There were multiple suspects for the bludgeoning - including Marlon Dingle who faced weeks behind bars - but the real killer turned out to be Rhona's unhinged ex Pierce Harris.
The murder came at an unfortunate time for Graham who was only just starting to turn his life around by embarking on a fledgling romance with Rhona Goskirk.
Faith Dingle
Sally Dexter played the larger-than-life Faith Dingle, who appeared in the village two years ago as Chas and Cain's mother.
Dexter chose to leave her role behind earlier this year - making a tearful exit from the show last month after confirming that Nate Robinson is Cain's son.
The 59-year-old has chosen to take a break from the show, but refused to rule out a return in the near future.
Frank Clayton
Michael Praed played the role of the ex-conman Frank Clayton for three years.
He was the father of Tracy Metcalfe and Vanessa Woodfield.
Based on the comments of co-star Amy Walsh, Praed didn't want to leave the show and was gutted to have been killed off.
Frank died in a fire following a factory explosion caused by Amy and Kerry Wyatt, who were trying to steal money to pay off a debt.
Bernice Blackstock
Samantha Giles has played the effervescent Bernice Blackstock for seven years, and is the mother to Gabby Thomas.
In September 2019, Giles took to Twitter to reveal that she would be leaving the show.
She indicated that she will be leaving to pursue other projects and will miss all the friends she has made on the soap.
Bernice originally entered the show in 1998 and left in 2002, before returning ten years later for another stint in the Yorkshire Dales.
Jessie Grant
After two years on the popular soap, Sandra Marvin decided to quit her role as Jessie Grant.
She is the mother to Ellis and Billy Chapman - with the latter first appearing in the 2018 Christmas episode on the day Jessie married Marlon Dingle.
Jessie was a head teacher and was suspended after the grooming scandal involving Maya Stepney.
She then chose to take a new job in Dubai after cheating on Marlon with her ex, Al Chapman.
Marvin has made no secret of her desire to venture into theatre and despite wanting to swap the TV for the stage, she is aware of the fact that leaving Emmerdale is a 'big risk'.
Robert Sugden
Ryan Hawley made an emotional exit from Emmerdale when he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the murder of his sister Victoria's rapist Lee Posner.
This past week has seen his character Robert Sugden cut off all contact with his sister and husband Aaron, with him also sending through divorce papers.
Hawley decided to call time on his five year career to pursue other projects.
Megan Macey
Gaynor Faye announced in May 2019 that she was leaving Emmerdale and her on-screen exit came at the end of August.
The actress spent the last seven years in the Dales and endured some eventful years, including relationships with Jay, Frank and Graham, as well as starting a wedding planning business with Leyla.
Gaynor, who was once part of Coronation Street in the 90s, has said she is leaving the show to pursue other projects.
Ellis Chapman
Asan N'Jie joined Emmerdale in 2018 and had settled in nicely, playing the character Ellis.
But that all came crashing down this summer when the 25-year-old was involved in a brawl with Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas at the TV Choice Awards.
N'Jie threatened to kill Lomas and was immediately fired from the soap as a result.
The star has vowed to make a career comeback and intends to 'finish what I started'.
Anthony Quinlan
More in Emmerdale
Pete Barton left Emmerdale in February 2020 as actor Anthony Quinlan decided to pursue other projects.
But to be honest it was only a matter of time before the 35-year-old was going to leave given the rest of his family have either left the village or are dead.
Pete has been involved in several high-profile relationships - with Debbie, his own auntie Moira and most recently with Rhona.
His ex Tracy moving on with Cain's son Nate was the nail in the coffin for Pete, who couldn't bear to be around the love birds.
The farmer packed his bags soon after the pair got together in the show.
Quinlan has spoke of his desire to try reality TV such as I'm A Celebrity or Strictly Come Dancing.
Doug Potts
Soap favourite Doug Potts packed his bags in February 2020 after actor Duncan Preston quit his role on the show.
Doug's exit storyline involved him moving to Australia after visiting the country for Sandy Thomas' funeral.
Upon his return, Doug opened up about his anxiety about his mortality and decided to live in the moment and head for pastures new.
But fans were unimpressed by the unrealistic storyline and pointed out that visa restrictions would put a spanner in the works.