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Emmerdale actress pulls out of money-spinning new gig after lacklustre soap exit – and is replaced by noughties pop star
AN EMMERDALE actress has pulled out of money-spinning new gig after her lacklustre soap exit.
It's been revealed that soap star Paula Lane is no longer starring in a Christmas panto, and his been replaced by a noughties pop star.
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Paula landed the panto gig following her exit from Emmerdale in April, which fans called "pathetic".
She was due to play Tinkerbell in a production of Peter Pan at Billingham Theatre in Stockton-On-Tees
It was only announced on June 8 that Paula had joined the cast of the panto, which will kick off this Christmas.
But it's now been revealed she has been replaced by Liberty X star Michelle Heaton.
It is unknown why Paula is no longer in the show, but announcing singer Michelle would now play Tinkerbell the theatre wrote "cast change" alongside a picture of the noughties star.
EMMERDALE EXIT
The soap star - who previously played Kylie Platt in Coronation Street - left the soap after just one year in the role.
Viewers in early April watched as her troubled character Ella bowed out of the ITV soap.
Her final scenes saw her being led away by led away by police after she pushed Liam and hit his head.
But fans thought Paula's character was never really given a chance to shine on the soap.
Emmerdale actress secretly quits soap as exit date revealed
Reacting to the scenes, one fan wrote: "That was a really pathetic exit for Ella has so much potential to be a great addition to the village and the writers ruined it with a pathetic love triangle between Liam & Chas!!!
"Paula Lane is a fantastic actor she deserved better than that!"
The Sun was the first to reveal that Paula would be exiting the soap after her stint as Ella fell rather flat with very little fanfare.
The actress first appeared to confirm she had quit the show when she updated her professional Spotlight account to confirm she would cease filming on the soap opera in February 2025 after 16 months in the role.
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But confirming the news on Instagram, the soap star then shared a video she'd recorded in February ahead of filming her final scenes.
She told her followers: "Hey, all you lovely Emmerdale fans.
"Today is Valentine's Day and I am actually about to go and finsh shooting my final scene on Emmerdale as Ella.
"By the time you watch this, it's going to be around April, I think. I just wanted to say I have had a lovely time here.
"I've met some wonderful people. And I will really, really cherish the experience.
"I just want to say thank you all for your support, your messages.
"I hope you get to see me on some new dramas in the future. Or on stage. Or wherever life now takes me in my career.
Paula concluded: "Honestly, everything is all positive. There's no negatives to spin on this.
"So, lots of love from me. Over and out."
