The soap star is rumoured to be leaving the Dales in upcoming weeks
Emmerdale actress Paula Lane took to her Instagram as she issued a “thank you” to all the soap fans who sent her messages of support as her character Ella Forster came under fire.
Paula joined the ITV soap in 2024 to play Ella Forster – a character with a chequered past. Ella found herself a job in the village after she stuck up for Mandy Dingle at a Veterinary Ball.
Ella’s time in the Dales hasn’t been plain sailing as it was revealed that she’d spent time in prison for killing her friend at 11 years old after getting into a physical fight with her friend Joanne, who at the time told her they couldn’t be friends anymore.
She confided in Cain Dingle and recalled: “I was on top of her, and I was banging and banging her head on the ground. We were both crying, but then she just stopped and it was over.”
Ella’s relationship with Liam Cavanagh had its ups and downs, but Liam called things off between them as he realised he wanted to make things work with Chas Dingle.
Since then, Chas and Ella have struggled to be around each other. During Chas and Liam’s surprise engagement party, Ella accidentally knocked into Chas. As the latter has been struggling with pain in her back after the Valentine’s limo crash, she reacted harshly towards Ella and the pair had a public argument in the pub.
The following day, Chas was on her own and hit her head on the bar after she collapsed due to a spell of feeling dizzy. Once taken to the hospital, it was revealed that she had high levels of codeine in her system.
After reassuring her loved ones that she doesn’t have a painkiller addiction, she pointed the finger at Ella and accused her of switching the medication.
As the rest of the village turned their backs on Ella, fans have come to her rescue and even theorised that John Sugden is the real villain behind it all in order to gain Chas’ trust and acceptance.
Taking to her Instagram, Paula Lane posted a black and white snap of her hanging out on the set of Emmerdale as she wrote: “Wowzers Ella has an army! @emmerdale I have read every message and it’s warmed my (heart emoji) Thank you”.
The actress took on the role eight years after she decided to leave her role as Kylie Platt in rival soap Coronation Street. Paula departed Weatherfield in 2016 after Kylie was murdered by Clayton Hibbs in the middle of the street.
Speaking of her new role at the time, Paula shared: “I’m so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella.
“I’ve already heard there are big plans for her and I can’t wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!”
Emmerdale airs on weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
