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EMMERDALE star Amanda Donohoe is quitting the soap after nearly two years.

The sexy brunette, who plays killer mum Natasha Wylde, will film her final scenes later this year.


But soap bosses are refusing to say whether or not her character will be killed off.


A source close to the actress said: “Amanda has had a brilliant time at Emmerdale but decided that the time was right to leave. She told them a few weeks back and they’ve been working out the best exit for Natasha.


“Her current storyline has been the biggest of the year and was always going to have to reach a gripping climax.


“It’s just going to happen a little sooner than bosses had planned. Amanda will be sad to go but after two years she decided that she wanted to do something else.”


Amanda, 48, joined the soap with her on-screen husband Mark, played by heart-throb Maxwell Caulfield, in October 2008. But Mark had been leading a double life which was revealed when his wife Faye turned up in the village.


It meant that the couple’s marriage was illegal as he never divorced Faye – who presumed that he was dead.

When she discovered that Mark was planning to run off with Faye, Natasha confronted the couple. But it was her discovery of daughter Maisie’s relationship with Mark and Faye’s son Ryan that led to a massive fall-out.


The half-brother and sister were so close to sleeping together that it sent Mark over the edge.


He left a suicide note before going into the woods with a sawn-off shotgun. Natasha managed to catch up with him and persuaded him not to pull the trigger – but then did it herself and buried his body in the woods.


The source added: “Once Mark’s body is discovered things move pretty quickly. But whether or not Natasha goes down for it remains to be seen.


“Her exit will tie in with the climax of this storyline but she could well go the same way as Mark.


“If Faye and Ryan discover the truth there’s no reason why one of them wouldn’t want her dead.


“Maisie’s mentally unhinged so they have a number of options. However she goes, it will certainly be dramatic.”

Daily Star