One Emmerdale legend has taken to social media to confirm her future on the hit ITV soap.
It was announced earlier this week that Michelle Hardwick, who has played Vanessa Woodfield since 2012, has landed a role in upcoming film Eyes of Bairns.
The short film is about growing up in the shadow of domestic abuse, it is written by Chloe McLaughlin and directed by Katie Fenton-Green.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday 3 September, both Michelle, 49, and the film’s official account shared the announcement. The post read: “We’re super excited to reveal the first member of our cast! The very talented Michelle Hardwick @missmichellehardwick will be playing Rose.
“Rose has always had a strong moral compass but she’s thrown for a loop when her estranged father asks to see her on his death bed. Now happily married to her wife, Rose is a million miles from her difficult upbringing. She hasn’t seen her dad in over twenty years and if it was up to her she’d quite happily never see him again.
“Will Rose gets the answers she needs? Will Rose get the apology she desperately wants? And even if she does, will Rose forgive her father?”
Responding to the post, some soap fans were worried that this could mean an exit for Michelle’s character Vanessa, who has been a village staple for 13 years.
One person said: “HOLD ON!!!! What about emmerdale???” to which a different account wrote: “Thought for a min you was leaving emmerdale was gonna cause uproar massive good luck on your new adventure x.”
Responding to fans’ fears, Michelle replied to one account, confirming her ITV soap future as she insisted: “Alongside it” with a heart emoji, explaining she would be filming the movie alongside her current Emmerdale commitments. This prompted one follower to joke in response: “panic over, carry on as normal, Good luck x.”
Elsewhere, Michelle was praised by several of her ITV co-stars as Sally Carman, who plays Abi Webster on Coronation Street, penned: “Amazing!” with heart emojis while Ash Palmisciano, who plays Matty Barton on Emmerdale, added two heart emojis.
Michelle is best known for playing vet Vanessa Woodfield on Emmerdale since 2012. She is also known for playing Lizzie in The Royal from 2003 to 2011. Other roles include Hollyoaks, Heartbeat and even Coronation Street.